2020 has been dubbed “the year of change”, and it has certainly brought big differences to the everyday aspects of life that we’re accustomed to. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in businesses closing down and professionals being forced to think about how they can still attract their customers without being physically “open”.
Thankfully, we’re at a stage of technological development where businesses can still survive – and even thrive – without in-person face-to-face interactions. While many restaurants have reopened now that the COVID risk has decreased, the majority are continuing to make the most of their newly-implemented techniques as a new way of working.
One of the biggest changes to 2020 has been the rise of online ordering – for both grocery shopping and restaurant food. Many restaurants are continuing to embrace this new trend, and for good reason. Here’s why online ordering has become so popular this year, and why it’ll stick around for good:
1. It’s convenient for the customer
When a food craving hits, you might not want to leave the house to satisfy your tastebuds, and that’s where online ordering comes in. Restaurants know that while their customers may sometimes want to enjoy a meal in-house, they appreciate the convenience of being able to order their food online and enjoy it in the comfort of their own home. They don’t even have to leave the house to collect from the restaurant if takeaway is offered as an option.
2. It’s convenient for the restaurant
There are a few extra processes involved in managing online orders, but they’re nothing compared to the man hours put into waiting on tables and ensuring guests are having a good evening. With online ordering, restaurants only have to put their focus on making sure a guests’ food is cooked at the highest possible quality, which should be a given in any situation. There’s far less customer interaction work involved, which frees up time to be more productive.
3. It’s tempting
If a customer has an online food ordering system just a click away on their phones, they’re much more likely to order from that restaurant. They can access the restaurant’s app at any time that suits them, and may even browse through food options as a form of procrastination – making them likely to spot something they fancy and arrange to make an order later that day. Food ordering apps are much quicker and simpler to use than websites, given that they can be accessed directly from a person’s mobile device.
4. It encourages more custom
Not all customers enjoy eating out at restaurants. For some, the formal dining scene just isn’t appealing. Those who don’t want to eat on location can still enjoy a restaurant’s dishes from their own preferred location thanks to online ordering. By offering their dishes online, a restaurant can appeal to customers who they otherwise may have missed, helping to build a bigger audience.
5. It has visual appeal
Businesses that take the time to make their own food ordering apps can benefit massively from their visual appeal. Many online ordering systems allow businesses to tailor their menus and homepages however they please, which could include adding images of delicious foods to encourage a hungry customer to make an order.
6. It increases the likelihood of repeat custom
When a business is clever with how they market their online ordering, they can easily encourage repeat custom. For instance, an Indian restaurant that offers incentives for a customer, such as to purchase a certain number of meals to receive a future discounted meal, is bound to appeal to a customer who has a pick of 5 very similar Indian restaurants. Rewarding customers for loyalty nearly always pays off.
