I’ve talked to so many restaurant owners who know their food is great, their service is solid, but they’re still not hitting the numbers they hoped for. The truth? It often comes down to how easy it is (or isn’t) for customers to place an order.
These days, diners expect convenience. 63% of customers say they prefer restaurants that let them place orders online—whether it’s for delivery, takeout, or pickup. If you’re not offering that option yet, you’re likely leaving money on the table.
That’s why I wrote this step-by-step guide. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to move away from third-party delivery services and take control of your online orders, you’ll find everything you need to build a system that works for you—and keeps your customers coming back.
Key Takeaways: How to Set Up Online Ordering System
- Biggest Benefit: By setting up your own online ordering system, you sell directly to customers and reduce commission fees by up to 90%, compared to platforms like Uber Eats or DoorDash.
- How to start: Create an account and set up your system in just a few easy steps.
- Choose the Right Software: Select an online ordering system that includes essential features like your own restaurant mobile app and automated marketing tools to boost revenue and build customer loyalty.
- Set Up Your Menu: Make sure your menu is easy to navigate, clearly displays prices, and includes high-quality photos—our studies show that adding images to menus can increase sales by up to 30%.
- Offer multiple order fulfillment options: delivery, pickup, dine-in, and curbside pickup. For delivery, use restaurant delivery software and a driver app to track orders, assign drivers, and ensure fast, efficient deliveries.
- Enable Multiple Payment Options: Give customers flexibility by offering various payment methods like credit/debit cards, online payments, and cash on delivery.
- Integrate Online Ordering with Your Website: Embed your digital restaurant menu directly into your website—or create one if you don’t have it yet, using a restaurant website builder.
- Promote Direct Ordering: Use your website, social media, and email marketing to spread the word about your online ordering option. Direct ordering means lower fees and higher profits—no more paying huge Uber Eats commissions or DoorDash fees.
What Is an Online Ordering System?
An online ordering system lets your customers place food orders directly through your restaurant website or app, without having to call in or rely on third-party online ordering platforms like Uber Eats.
It streamlines the entire ordering process, from browsing the online menu to placing an order and paying online.
But it’s not just about convenience. A good restaurant online ordering system can improve almost every part of your business.
Here’s what it helps you do:
- Keep all your profits: Skip the high commissions from third-party delivery services and make more money from every sale.
- Build direct customer relationships: Own the data, stay in control of the experience, and grow your customer base without middlemen.
- Increase order accuracy: No more misheard phone orders—customers select their menu items themselves and confirm everything before paying.
- Speed up the ordering process: Customers can order online in just a few clicks without waiting on hold or repeating orders.
- Customize your menu: Update prices, add seasonal specials, upsell extras, and highlight popular food items any time you want.
- Improve operational efficiency: Orders go straight to the kitchen or POS system, helping staff focus and reducing wait times.
- Boost brand visibility: With your own online ordering platform on your restaurant website, you control the design, messaging, and promotions.
Long story short: a restaurant online ordering system gives you more control, more revenue, and a better experience for your customers.
What to Set Up In an Online Ordering System?
Once you’ve decided to create your own online ordering system, it’s time to configure the tools that make it run smoothly—for you and your customers.
Here’s what to set up (with screenshots of how it looks in action):
Storefront (Online Menu)
Create a clear, user-friendly online menu with categories, prices, images, and options to customize dishes (like add-ons, sides, or portion sizes). Make it mobile-friendly and visually appealing.
Restaurants using UpMenu’s online ordering system have reported up to a 37% increase in sales due to the ease of use, direct ordering, and reduced reliance on third-party platforms.
Mobile App
Let customers order on the go with a branded restaurant mobile app. They can browse the menu, track their orders, save favorites, and manage their profiles—all in one place.
UpMenu’s mobile app generates over 40% of the total revenue for restaurants using the platform, highlighting the growing trend of mobile ordering.
Tableside & QR Code Ordering
Let dine-in guests scan a QR code menu at the table to access the restaurant menu through your own website and place orders directly from their phones. This reduces wait times and improves table turnover.
Delivery Management
Use restaurant delivery software to assign and track orders, manage drivers, and optimize delivery routes. Especially helpful if you handle in-house delivery.
According to our data, restaurants offering online ordering can see an increase in sales, with restaurants that offer both delivery and takeout services generating 53% more revenue on average compared to those that do not.
Delivery Dispatch (Third-Party Integration)
Integrate your system with online food delivery service partners like Uber Direct or DoorDash Drive. Useful if you want to dispatch delivery without managing your own drivers, or need help on high-volume days.
Payment Gateway Integration
Let customers pay securely online with credit cards, mobile wallets, or other payment options. Make sure your online food ordering system supports smooth checkout with online payments.
Loyalty Programs
Reward repeat customers with points, discounts, or exclusive offers. A restaurant loyalty system is key to increasing customer retention and online food orders.
Step 1: Choose an Online Ordering System Provider
Before you start setting up an online ordering system, you need to choose the right provider. This choice will directly impact your ordering process, your profits, and the overall customer experience.
Here’s what to look for in a restaurant online ordering system:
- Easy setup and intuitive interface (no advanced tech skills needed).
- Full control over your online menu, pricing, delivery zones, and more.
- Integration with your own website and POS system.
- Support for online payments, loyalty programs, and customer accounts.
- Tools to accept online orders for both delivery and pickup.
- Minimal reliance on third-party delivery services or third-party online ordering platforms that take a cut of all your profits.
Why choose UpMenu? You get an all-in-one online ordering platform designed specifically for restaurants. You can build your own fully branded online ordering system with no need for expensive third-party apps. Our tools help you keep more revenue, grow your customer base, and simplify your day-to-day order management.
“UpMenu is not exaggerating. It really is pretty much plug & play to get up and running. We had a text-based ordering system implemented and they were able to transfer all its information into UpMenu in one day.
I’ve been thrilled with the system and especially how responsive and helpful their customer service has been. Any new software will have kinks to work out, and having UpMenu to hold my hand while we got it all working was wonderful!”
Laura Pochop, Owner of Mulberry’s Market
The next steps in this guide will walk you through exactly how to set up an online ordering system using UpMenu—from building your online menu to managing online food delivery, setting delivery zones, and optimizing your ordering system.
Step 2: Add Menu Items and Prices
Once you’ve chosen your online ordering system, it’s time to build your online menu. This is one of the most important steps—your menu is what sells your food.
With UpMenu, adding and managing menu items is quick and intuitive. No tech experience required.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the “Menu” section in your UpMenu dashboard.
- Add categories like Starters, Mains, Desserts, or Drinks.
- Create individual menu items with names, descriptions, and prices.
- Upload high-quality photos of your food items (they really help increase sales).
- Add customization options: extras, sizes, toppings, sides, etc.
- Set availability: choose which items appear during certain hours (e.g., breakfast or lunch menu).
- Preview your online menu before publishing.
Pro Tip: A clean, visual menu with appealing images can boost online food orders significantly. Customers eat with their eyes first!
Once your menu is live, it’ll appear on your restaurant website, your own online ordering system, and mobile app—making it easy for customers to browse and order online.
Step 3: Set Up Delivery Zones
To ensure smooth food delivery operations, you need to define where your restaurant will deliver.
Setting up delivery zones in your online ordering system allows you to control which areas you serve, how much to charge, and how to optimize your delivery routes.
With UpMenu, it takes just a few minutes.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the Delivery settings in your UpMenu admin panel.
- Use the map tool to draw custom delivery zones based on distance or ZIP/postal codes.
- Set minimum order amounts and delivery fees for each zone.
- Define estimated delivery times per zone to manage customer expectations.
- Choose whether orders from each zone are handled in-house or via third-party delivery services.
Pro Tip: You can also limit zones during busy hours or rainy days—total flexibility.
Well-configured delivery zones mean faster deliveries, better cost control, and a smoother ordering process for your customers.
Step 4: Enter Your Restaurant Details
Now that your online ordering system is shaping up, it’s time to enter your restaurant details.
This ensures your customers have all the info they need to place online orders confidently—and it helps your restaurant website look professional and trustworthy.
Here’s what to fill in:
- Restaurant name: This will appear in your own online ordering system and in your confirmation messages.
- Address: This is so customers know where to pick up orders (and so delivery zones work correctly).
- Working hours: Define when you accept online food orders, and separate hours for pickup vs. delivery if needed.
- Contact info: Add a phone number and email address in case customers need to reach out.
- Social media links: Drive more traffic to your pages and keep your brand consistent.
- Restaurant logo and branding: Upload your logo and colors to match your restaurant website or physical menu.
Pro Tip: Keep your hours and contact info up to date. Many customers check that first before placing an order online.
Once these basics are in place, you’re ready to customize the look and feel of your online ordering platform and move on to the next step.
Step 5: Enable Online Payments
To complete your restaurant online ordering system, you need to let customers pay directly through your online ordering platform.
Offering secure, convenient online payments makes the ordering process faster and more professional—helping increase completed online food orders.
With UpMenu, enabling online payments is quick and requires no advanced tech skills.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the Payment methods section in your UpMenu admin panel.
- Choose your preferred payment gateway (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, or others supported in your region).
- Connect your account or set one up through the integration flow.
- Choose which payment methods you want to accept (credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc.).
- Enable payments for online orders—you can also accept cash on delivery if needed.
Pro Tip: Customers are far more likely to order online when they can pay on the spot—especially if they’re used to apps like Uber Eats or other online food delivery services.
Secure online payments mean you can accept orders 24/7, reduce no-shows, and give customers the smooth, modern ordering experience they expect from top food delivery brands—without giving away a share of your earnings to third-party apps.
Step 6: Build Your Website (Optional)
If you don’t already have a restaurant website, now’s the perfect time to set one up.
While not required to start accepting online orders, having your own website makes your brand look more professional, helps bring in more customers, and gives you full control over your restaurant business online.
With UpMenu, you have two great options:
Option 1: Use your ordering page as your website
UpMenu’s online ordering system includes a fully functional ordering page that doubles as a basic website.
It displays your online menu, business info, and opening hours, and it supports online payments—perfect if you want to launch quickly without any extra work.
Option 2: Build a full restaurant website with our builder
Want more control and customization? UpMenu includes a drag-and-drop restaurant website builder that lets you:
- Choose from pre-designed restaurant website templates.
- Add pages like About, Contact, or Blog.
- Match your branding with logos, images, and colors.
- Integrate your own online ordering system seamlessly.
- Highlight your best food items and promotions.
Pro Tip: You don’t need a separate website-building platform or hire a developer. It’s all in one place—and it’s built specifically for restaurants.
Step 7: Add Online Ordering to Your Website
Once your online ordering system is ready, you’ll want to make sure customers can easily find and use it on your restaurant website.
Whether you’re using the UpMenu website builder or an external platform like WordPress, it’s easy to connect your online ordering platform.
Here’s how to do it:
If you use UpMenu’s website:
- Your ordering system is already built in—no extra steps needed.
- Visitors can order online directly from your homepage, menu page, or via mobile.
If you have an external website (like a WordPress website):
- Log in to your UpMenu admin panel.
- Go to Online Ordering > Installation.
- Choose the “Order Online” button or embedded menu widget.
- Copy the provided HTML code.
- Paste it into your restaurant website (your developer can do it, or use a plugin if you’re on WordPress).
Pro Tip: You can also add direct links to your online ordering page on social media, Google Business Profile, or email campaigns.
Adding this feature ensures customers can place online orders quickly—no need to call in orders or navigate third-party online ordering apps. Everything runs through your own website, under your brand.
Step 8: Set Up Your Mobile Application
Setting up a branded mobile app is the next step if you want to give your customers the most convenient way to order online. A dedicated app helps you stand out from third-party apps like Uber Eats and builds direct loyalty with your customer base.
With UpMenu, creating your restaurant mobile app is easy—even if you have zero tech skills.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the Mobile App section in your UpMenu panel.
- Choose your app name, upload your restaurant logo, and select brand colors.
- Submit for publishing on Google Play and the Apple App Store (UpMenu handles the entire process).
- Promote the app on your restaurant website, social media, and in-store.
Pro Tip: A mobile app keeps your own online ordering system just one tap away for your customers—ideal for repeat business and high-volume locations.
Customers can browse your food items, place online orders, track delivery, and even earn rewards—all from their smartphone.
Step 9: Set Up QR Code Ordering
QR code menu is one of the fastest-growing trends in the industry—and for good reason. It speeds up the ordering process, reduces pressure on staff, and gives customers full control over how and when they order online.
With UpMenu, it’s easy to implement QR code online ordering for dine-in service—no app downloads or complicated setup.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to the QR Code Menu & Tableside ordering section in your UpMenu dashboard.
- Generate a unique QR code for each table or zone.
- QR Code automatically directs to your online menu and ordering page.
- Download and print the codes, then place them on tables, menus, or signage.
- Customers scan the code with their phone and place online orders instantly.
Pro Tip: You can use this feature for dine-in, takeaway counters, or self-service kiosks—fully integrated with your restaurant online ordering system.
QR codes work seamlessly with your own website and online ordering platform, without relying on third-party apps or third-party online ordering tools. Orders go directly to your POS system or kitchen, streamlining everything in-house.
It’s a smart move if you’re running a high-volume operation and want to serve more customers with less staff or increase table turnover rate.
Step 10: Promote Your Online Ordering System
Now that your own online ordering system is fully set up, it’s time to spread the word. Even the best online ordering platform won’t generate results if customers don’t know it exists.
The good news? Promoting your system doesn’t require a huge budget—just smart, consistent action.
Marketing tools you should use:
- Offer a first-order discount: Encourage new customers to try your online food ordering system by giving them 10–15% off their first online order. Use UpMenu’s built-in promo code generator.
- Print flyers with a QR code: Include a scannable QR code that links to your online menu. Hand them out with takeout orders or leave them on tables to promote QR code ordering.
- Launch an email/SMS campaign: Use UpMenu’s email and SMS marketing tools to reach your existing customers and remind them to order online. Include exclusive offers and direct links.
- Highlight the “Order Online” button: Make sure the Order Online CTA is easy to spot on your restaurant website and mobile app. Use contrasting colors, header buttons, and popups if needed.
- Redirect traffic from food portals: If you’re listed on third-party online ordering platforms like Uber Eats, let customers know they’ll get better deals or loyalty points when they order directly from your own website.
Setting up your own online ordering system might seem like a big task, but with the right tools, it’s easier than ever.
You’ll gain full control over the ordering process, increase your restaurant profit margins by avoiding third-party delivery services, and offer your customers the seamless experience they expect.
Whether you’re launching a new restaurant website or upgrading your current online food ordering system, following these steps will help you grow your business, serve more customers, and keep all your profits where they belong—with you.
