Increasing food delivery sales is one of the keys to unlocking your overall restaurant sales. In fact, restaurants that use an online ordering system can raise their takeout profits by 30% compared to those who stick to the traditional ordering methods.
In this article, we’re going to explore how you can increase your restaurant delivery sales and build a fully automated food delivery service.
Tip 1: Choose the Right Online Ordering System
Choosing the right online ordering system is one of the most important pieces of the whole puzzle. A good system can give you an edge, while a poor one can put you behind your competition.
The key here is to understand what an online ordering system should be so that you can maximize the delivery efficiency of your restaurant.
- Scalability: You want software that’s been around and has been battle-tested. You also want a complete system that allows you to scale your business through marketing, integrations, or food delivery apps.
- Restaurant website: You want a solid restaurant website that will function as your online business card and allow customers to visit and order food at any time.
- Restaurant mobile app: As many as 60% of Americans order delivery at least once a week. Do you know anyone who still orders food from their computer? Well, me neither. It’s in your best interest to make your offer as easily accessible as possible, and a restaurant mobile app is the best way to do that.
- Online menu: You want a system that allows for creating your own branded online menu that is consistent across all of your ordering platforms.
- Restaurant marketing system: Make sure the system of your choice has a solid marketing system that includes email, SMS, and push notification marketing.
- Restaurant loyalty programs: Loyalty programs are absolutely integral to turning your one-time customers into loyal ones. Learn how to increase customer loyalty in a restaurant.
- POS & delivery integrations: If you don’t own your own team of drivers, make sure that the system you choose does include POS and delivery integrations.
In the end, the restaurant industry is extremely competitive. Choosing the right online ordering system can either break or make your business, especially when you’re just starting out. Make sure to choose carefully.
Tip 2: Optimize Your Online Presence for Maximum Reach
You can’t build a food delivery business without a strong online presence. Simple as.
If you’re looking to make some real online food delivery sales, you will have to put in quite a bit of effort. But fret not. We’re not going to tell you that you need to build a website or app from scratch. That would be insane. And costly.
However, to make the best out of your restaurant delivery service, you’re going to need quite a few tools at your disposal. Let’s look into it.
- Website and app optimization: Ensure mobile-friendly design, quick loading times, and visible “Order Delivery” buttons.
- Use of delivery service providers and marketplaces: If you’re new to the business, you’re going to have to use all the tools that are available to you, including integrated delivery networks and third-party marketplaces. Keep in mind, however, that these can cost you up to 30% of your sales in commissions. So, they should be treated as a temporary measure, and the goal should always be to build as much presence on your own platforms.
- Order with Google: Convert Google Search and Maps inquiries into delivery orders.
- Build an app for easy ordering: Develop a user-friendly smartphone app for convenient ordering.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Use relevant keywords to improve the search result ranking of your website.
- Omnichannel marketing: Utilize in-store and online marketing tools to promote delivery services.
- Social media promotion: Highlight delivery specials and engage customers on platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
- Competitor analysis: Learn from competitors’ marketing strategies and adapt them to your restaurant.
Everything we’ve touched upon can help you remain oriented as to what your goals should be. However, to put your plan into action, you’re first going to… need a plan. Make sure to take the time and prepare a solid restaurant marketing plan once you’re finished with this article.
Tip 3: Optimize Your Online Delivery Menu
Your online ordering menu is particularly important. Luckily, if you don’t plan on building your own website the old-fashioned way, you can get a ready-made online menu template for free with your online ordering system. Let’s go over some of the best practices when optimizing your online ordering menu.
- Highlight popular items: Feature best-selling dishes prominently on your online menu. Customers often look for recommendations, and these items can attract more orders.
- Use high-quality images: Include appealing photos of your dishes. Visuals can greatly influence customers’ choices.
- Simplify the menu: Don’t overwhelm customers with too many options. A concise menu can lead to quicker decision-making and higher customer satisfaction.
- Update regularly: Keep your menu fresh and up-to-date. Seasonal items or special promotions can encourage repeat visits.
- Optimize for mobile devices: Ensure your online menu is easy to navigate on smartphones and tablets, as many customers order using these devices.
- Include detailed descriptions: Offer clear, enticing descriptions of each dish, including key ingredients, to help customers make informed choices.
- Offer customization options: Allow customers to customize their orders (e.g., choice of sides, level of spiciness). This flexibility can enhance customer experience.
- Promote deals and combos: Create meal deals or combos that offer value for money. This can increase average order size.
- Implement a user-friendly layout: Organize the menu into clear categories (e.g., appetizers, mains, desserts) for easy navigation.
- Encourage feedback: Use customer reviews and ratings to showcase popular dishes and improve your offerings based on feedback.
All you have to do from here on is upload your images, add food names, prices, and descriptions and you’re ready to go. By implementing these strategies, you can make your online ordering menu more attractive and user-friendly, and increase your number of online orders.
Tip 4: Get the Most Out of Your Social Media
Regularly post engaging content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Use high-quality images of your food, share customer reviews, and promote special offers.
The key is obviously to remain consistent and to understand your audience on a deeper level. To do that, it might be a good idea to review your restaurant marketing plan and learn who your customers are.
Create Engaging Content to Increase Restaurant Delivery Sales
Share behind-the-scenes stories, chef interviews, or cooking tips to engage with your audience and create a connection. The key to engaging content is knowing who your audience is. You can also count on your ideal customer data to attract new customers.
Remember that the end goal is not only to be entertaining but to get as many restaurant guests as possible. If you feel comfortable, don’t be afraid to include a cheeky special offer or time-limited deal at the end of your video.
Increase Delivery Sales Through Influencer Collaboration
Partner with local food influencers to reach a broader audience. They can review your restaurant and share their experience with their followers. It’s a great way to reach new potential customers and boost all orders, including online food ordering.
Make sure that the influencers you choose will fit in with your brand and benefit you. For example, if you’re running a sushi place, getting an influencer known for his sushi taste will probably be the best.
Boost Delivery Sales With Consistent Content
Keeping consistency across all of your social media channels is the best way of letting your customers know that your business is bustling with life.
People generally enjoy seeing activity. This telegrams that your food delivery services are open and up for business.
Remember that consistency does not only mean regular uploading of content. It also means keeping your branding consistent across all of your channels, so make sure to keep this in mind.
If you’re not sure when to start with your branding, make sure you visit and review your restaurant marketing plan!
Tip 5: Encourage Customers Through Promotions and Discounts
One way to increase your restaurant’s delivery sales is to offer first-time order restaurant discounts, limited-time offers, or loyalty programs that encourage repeat business.
Let’s take a look at examples of how other food delivery businesses make the best out of their marketing to reach their customers.
Attract Customers with Free Delivery Promos
If you’re anything like most people, you’re probably a sucker for free delivery promos. I’ll be honest—whenever someone sends me a free delivery offer, I just gotta order something.
Consider attracting customers with free deliveries, especially on slower days. Make sure to include an enticing picture or video of your food! You want your hungry customers to lose it when they see your juicy offer.
Make sure your offer is consistent with your budget so that you don’t end up losing money rather than earning it. We’ve said it many times before, and we’ll say it once more: the only goal of marketing is to make you more money!
Use Minimum Order Values to Increase Cart Size
Another way to ensure folks keep coming back to you is nudging them with special offers. Of course, you want to make a profit, so it’s best to choose slower days and set up a minimum order value.
Send your offer using all of your social media channels as well as through email, SMS, and in-app push notifications. Don’t let them escape your delicious offer!
Keep ‘Em Coming Back With Retention Campaigns & Loyalty Plans
Plan and implement personalized offers and promotions for repeat customers. The best way to do that is through a restaurant loyalty program that rewards your customers for a given amount of orders.
Once in a while, you will also want to remind your loyal customers of their favorite meals with discounts that are outside of the loyalty program. That way, you keep your finger on the pulse and your customers engaged.
Key Takeaways
- Choosing the right online ordering system is probably the most important part. A good system can help you scale your business and get more customers, while a poorly designed one can only make your life more difficult.
- Make sure you’re present on as many platforms as possible (especially if you’re just starting out).
- Online presence is key to reaching new customers. Understand which platforms your customers use and go on the offensive by creating consistent, high-quality content.
- Draw up a plan to encourage customers through various promotions and discounts
- Optimize your online menu to facilitate online ordering as much as possible.
