Tired of paying over 30% in commissions to food delivery apps like Grubhub and Uber Eats? While these apps are convenient, the costs quickly add up.
Setting up your own online ordering system can help you avoid these fees and is simpler than you think.
In this guide, we’ll show you 10 steps to start taking online food orders directly from your restaurant’s website and mobile app.
Key Takeaways
Simplicity: A reliable online ordering system is easy to set up, includes essential features, and eliminates the need for multiple third-party apps.
Online Menu Setup: Ensure your online menu is clear and well-organized so customers know exactly what they are ordering.
Ownership: Look for a system that allows you to own customer data and the platform, like UpMenu, ensuring control of both profits and client information.
Branded Mobile App: Your online ordering system should offer a branded mobile app to make ordering convenient and fast for customers.
Promotion: Promoting your online ordering system is essential for driving customers to place orders via your website and mobile app.
What is an online ordering system?
An online ordering system allows customers to easily order food for delivery through a restaurant’s website or app. Customers can browse menus, place orders, and make payments online without leaving home.
For restaurant owners, these systems streamline order management, track sales, and enable online menu design, improving overall efficiency.
Step 1: Create your account with UpMenu
Ready to get your own online ordering system? Start by setting up an online account with UpMenu.
Click here and register for a free account using your information to get started.
Once you’ve done so, follow the in-system instructions for setting up your online food ordering system.
Step 2: Add menu items and prices
Choose one of the professionally designed restaurant menu templates to fit your restaurant branding before you start adding dishes.
This step is necessary if you have already restaurant website (If you don’t have one, just go through below steps).
Add your food items, their prices, menu descriptions, and pictures to your online menu so clients can order their meals online.
When you add your dishes into the system, they’ll be available for online ordering, so make sure your pictures are high quality and your descriptions are clear so clients know exactly what they’re ordering.
Check out our food photography tips to capture great pictures of your dishes.
Step 3: Set up delivery zones
Does your restaurant offer delivery? If so, then you need to inform clients about your delivery zones. When customers order online and select the food delivery option, they need to know if you’re able to deliver to their location.
Use UpMenu’s delivery zone creation tool to show clients the areas in which you’re able to offer online food delivery.
Additionally, you can apply a delivery fee for your delivery service based on the delivery zone to ensure coverage of your service costs.
Step 4: Enter your restaurant details
When you’re setting up an online ordering account, make sure to include key information pertaining to your restaurant.
Add your address, business hours, online ordering page, and contact details so clients have direct contact with your business. This information will appear on your own website you’ve created in UpMenu.
Restaurant address & contact details
Add your restaurant address and contact details to help clients reach you directly.
Working hours
Add your restaurant’s working hours. You can set different hours for delivery, pickup, or booking, as well as for custom fulfillment methods like restaurant curbside pickup.
Step 5: Enable online payments
When setting up your account, make sure to add your payment methods so clients have a seamless ordering experience without any unpleasant surprises.
UpMenu supports the following online payment providers: Stripe (including Apple Pay and Google Pay), PayPal, and Adyen.
To set up your payment methods go to your UpMenu Dashboard > Restaurant > Payment types.
Step 6: Build your website
An online ordering platform isn’t complete without your own website. Design your branded website with the restaurant website builder so customers can find everything they need to know about your business in one spot.
Choose from over 40+ restaurant website templates to make your website your own, without having to look for third party online website builders.
Here you can learn more how to create a restaurant website with UpMenu.
If you already have your own website and just created your online menu with UpMenu to enable online ordering, you can skip this step.
Step 7: Add online ordering to your website
If you already own a restaurant website and are simply looking to equip it with an interactive menu, then this is for you.
Link your online ordering page to your branded website you’ve created in UpMenu to give clients an easy online ordering experience. More customers choose to order food online, and UpMenu makes it easy for both clients and you.
No need for two separate apps – a customer simply places an order from your website’s online ordering section and that’s it.
If you have a separate website or wordpress site, you can link your online ordering platform to it as well.
Step 8: Set up your mobile application
Your happy customers are your best customers. Keep them close to your restaurant with a branded online ordering app. Set up an online ordering app with a restaurant app builder and design it to fit your branding.
Make sure to upload your logo, pictures of your menu items, and all the information your clients would need for quick and easy online ordering.
Learn more about how to create a food delivery app here.
Step 9: Set up tableside ordering
If you offer in house dining, then implementing a tableside ordering option for your customer base who prefer to dine in would greatly benefit your business.
Just like online ordering for food, a customer places an online order directly from their table using the QR code.
This option is beneficial for restaurants with a high volume of in house customer traffic. In UpMenu, set up your number of tables and generate and print your QR codes. Next, put the codes at the appropriate tables.
That way, a customer places an order using the QR code at their table, and your order management system recognizes which one it came from.
Step 10: Promote your online ordering system
Now that your online ordering platform and website are ready, it’s time to promote them.
Use restaurant social media marketing by sharing the link to your ordering page on platforms like Facebook or Instagram to encourage quick and easy online orders.
Additionally, update your Google Business page with the link, print leaflets, add stickers to packaging, and link your online ordering page directly to your social media profiles for seamless ordering.
Don’t forget to directly link your online ordering page to the buttons on your social media websites for quick ordering.
If you’re interested in learning more about restaurant marketing, make sure to go over this step-by-step restaurant marketing plan.
You can also explore these restaurant marketing strategies and ideas.
Online ordering system key features
Now that you know how to set up online ordering system specifications, you’re ready to move on. Let’s explore the key features that can help you effectively manage and improve the process of running a restaurant.
Restaurant website ordering
Restaurant website ordering allows customers to place online orders from your website over, which means fewer call in orders and more time for you to focus on other tasks at hand.
Clients can easily find your menu items, check menu pricing, delivery zones, and place their online orders with just a few taps.
By keeping existing and new customers on your website, you make it easier for them to place orders quickly and easily, while you’re able to manage orders and increase efficiency.
iOS and Android mobile app
A restaurant ordering app allows customers to place online orders without having to install third party apps.
UpMenu’s ordering app includes everything your clients need for a streamlined food ordering process, which includes having a list of your food items, prices, and different payment options.
And best of all? You’re able to design your own app to match your business’ branding. That way, clients become more familiar with your app. Plus no tech skills are required to get set up.
Online payments
Aside from accepting food orders, your online ordering system comes with an online payments feature, which lets clients process orders directly via the app.
Hungry customers simply place their orders through your branded app, pay, and either pick-up or have their meals delivered directly to them.
Website builder
The UpMenu website builder lets you create an interactive restaurant website, making it easy for customers to find key information like your cuisine, delivery zones, reviews, contact details, and a photo gallery of your dishes.
Additionally, the restaurant website builder comes with over 40+ layout templates to help match your website to your branding and online ordering app.
Promotions & coupons
Looking to launch a promo offer at your restaurant? Create promotions and coupons, which encourage clients to order food from you.
Use your online ordering system to launch SMS messages informing clients about your latest deals and watch those food orders start coming in!
Get inspired with these restaurant promotion ideas.
Loyalty program
A restaurant loyalty program is the most powerful tool for tying clients to your restaurant business.
Only the best online ordering systems come equipped with this feature, which allows restaurant clients to earn points and stamps for each purchase and dollar spent on food orders.
Customers can redeem these points and stamps for prizes such as discounts on their next meal, or even get them entirely for free.
POS Integration
Another useful option only more advanced online ordering systems come with is POS integration, which allows you to process customer orders online. But UpMenu takes things a step further.
There’s no POS integration app or third party app that needs to be downloaded – everything you need to process payments is in one system.
Marketing tools
You have all restaurant marketing tools you need to get more table reservations, food orders, and more revenue in one spot.
Stand out from local competitors by launching promotions, SMS, email, and push campaigns, or automate messaging—all through your UpMenu online ordering system.
What are the benefits of an online ordering system?
Introducing an online ordering system to your daily operations is great to free up much of your valuable time and streamline the food ordering process in your restaurant – but that’s just scratching the surface.
1. Save on commissions
Not all online ordering systems are made alike. Most charge huge commission fees, which cut into your profits, especially when using third-party delivery services.
With UpMenu, all your profits go right into your pocket – all you pay is a flat monthly fee. This means more restaurant revenue from each order and complete control over your business operations.
(One of our clients Sushi Kushi saved over $1M on food portals commissions)
2. Marketing benefits
With a fully-featured online ordering system like UpMenu, all of your marketing campaigns are at the tap of a button, which means no third party apps needed, and you’re in control of everything.
Plus, you gain access to a number of great features that help keep your clients in the loop about your latest deals.
3. All the customer data in one spot
With UpMenu, you have total control over your customer base. With a built-in restaurant CRM, you’re able to track how often clients place online food orders, how much they spend, etc.
And most importantly, you own your customers’ data.
4. Improved customer loyalty
Customers love being rewarded for their loyalty, which is why they prefer to order from restaurants that reward them for being regular clients.
With a loyalty program in place, you save time, improve customer loyalty, and significantly increase the average check.
And best of all, loyal customers are more likely to leave you positive reviews and tell their family and friends about your business, which can turn into more clients.
5. Fewer ordering mistakes
Mistakes can happen with manual orders, but a restaurant online ordering system nearly eliminates them.
Customers visit your website or branded app, select their food, and choose delivery, pickup, or dine-in options—no need for phone orders, minimizing errors.
6. No more costly errors
How do you know how many customers you have or how much profit you’ve made in the last 3 months? Without this data, creating promotions is a guess.
With online ordering software, all your restaurant analytics are stored in one place, so you always know exactly how your business is performing.
7. More sales and increased revenue
With UpMenu’s online ordering system, you can boost sales and revenue without relying on third-party online ordering services.
Built-in marketing tools help you target current customers effectively.
Launching trackable marketing campaigns lets you see exactly how to increase sales at your restaurant while keeping all data in one platform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How does online ordering work?
An online ordering system allows customers to browse a restaurant’s menu via a restaurant mobile app or website and place their orders. The restaurant receives these orders through an app, prepares the food, and arranges it for pickup or delivery.
An online ordering system simplifies the ordering process for customers and enhances order management for the restaurant.
If you’re looking for the best restaurant online ordering system, check out this article to find the ideal solution for your business.
What software do restaurants use to take orders?
Restaurants use various restaurant management software solutions for taking orders, including a restaurant POS system, online ordering systems, and mobile ordering apps.
How to get orders for your business?
To get more orders for your restaurant business, consider the following strategies:
- Set Up Online Ordering: Set up an easy-to-use online ordering system for your restaurant.
- Run Promotions: Offer discounts and deals to attract new customers and boost repeat business.
- Use Social Media: Promote your business through social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.
- Partner with Delivery Apps: Consider using third-party delivery services like UberEats or DoorDash to expand your reach.
- Launch Marketing Campaigns: Send targeted email, SMS, or push notifications to increase orders.
- Improve Customer Experience: Offer great restaurant service to encourage repeat customers.
- Loyalty Program: Implement a loyalty program to keep customers coming back.
