How to Add Online Ordering to Your Restaurant Website
Third-party delivery platforms take up to 30% commission on every order, eating into your already thin restaurant margins. Adding online ordering directly to your own website allows you to keep those profits, own your customer data, and control the entire packaging and delivery experience. Moving ordering in-house is a high-margin upgrade.
A Real-World Case Study: A noodle bar was paying 3,200 EUR per month in commission fees to third-party delivery apps. They integrated a direct ordering system on their website and offered a free drink for first-time orders. Within six months, 45% of their online orders shifted to their own site, saving them 1,440 EUR monthly.
Implementing In-House Ordering
- Choose a Commission-Free Software: Select an online ordering system that charges a flat monthly fee rather than taking a percentage of your sales. This protects your margins.
- Design a Mobile-Friendly Ordering Flow: Most delivery orders are placed on smartphones. Ensure your digital menu is easy to navigate, items can be customized easily, and payment is fast.
- incentivize Direct Ordering: Give guests a reason to order directly from you. Offer a small discount, a loyalty points bonus, or free items that are not available on third-party apps.
- Streamline Kitchen Prep Integration: Ensure online orders print directly in the kitchen or show on a dedicated screen so FOH staff don't have to manually enter them into the POS.
Technical SEO and Mobile Usability Checklist
Search engines rank websites based on user experience. If your restaurant website is slow or uses PDF menus, Google will push you down the search results. Optimize your site by compressing food photos to keep page weights low. Add descriptive alt text to images, like 'creamy pasta bowl at Soho Italian Bistro', helping search engines index your culinary offerings. Place a click-to-call button and direct Google Maps link in the header and footer, making it easy for walking tourists to find your location and book a table within seconds.
The Hidden Pitfall to Avoid
Don't let your direct online ordering system launch without testing. Place a test order yourself to verify that notifications work, kitchen tickets print correctly, and payment processing is secure.
Actionable Consultant Takeaway
Take back control of your takeout and delivery business. Add direct online ordering to your website to eliminate commission fees and build direct customer relationships.