The food & beverage industry is highly competitive. Running a successful restaurant, café, or bar is not an overnight job. In other words, it is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires a thorough approach and understanding of the ins and outs of the latest industry trends.

The Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions, new norms, and the Russia-Ukraine war have changed the food and beverage ecosystem, forcing businesses to adopt new ways, methods, and technologies to streamline their operations.

For instance, adopting an online ordering system that simplifies and optimizes business operations have become mainstream for restaurants, cafes, and bars. However, most companies/establishments fail to choose the best system/software. When selecting or developing an online ordering system, you can consider the following factors.

Table of Contents

• Look for a Customized Ordering System
• Select a Responsive/Compatible Software
• Location Navigation
• Add and Modify Menus
• Payment Methods
• Time-Tracking Feature
• Data Analytics

Look for a Customized Ordering System

Managing a restaurant with online orders is an excellent way to attract customers, increase sales, and generate revenue. However, there is no room for mistakes when implementing an online ordering system.

Therefore, we recommend opting for a system with customizable features that align with your business vision, mission, goal, and strategy. The purpose is to optimize day-to-day operations, equip employees with simple-to-use interfaces, and enables customers to order food/beverages efficiently and quickly.

Select a Responsive/Compatible Software

Today, customers use a wide range of devices, including computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, the internet of things, etc. So, don’t forget to consider the aspect of responsiveness when developing, purchasing, or implementing an online ordering system.

Select a responsive and compatible system so users can order food items or beverages from various devices, including iOS, Android, etc. We suggest testing the software on different devices at your restaurant and familiarizing your employees with it to determine loopholes. As a restaurant owner, you are responsible for creating optimal user experience and ensuring the system offers uniform experiences across all platforms/devices.

Location Navigation

Choose a software system with location navigation and related features. It allows for the efficient, reliable, error-free, and quick fulfillment of online orders. At the same time, your employees will get real-time updates on the delivery of food/beverages to specific locations.

Add and Modify Menus

An effective online ordering system has customized features that allow managers/employees to upload menus or change existing ones. For instance, if you have an online ordering app, notify or alert customers when you update a menu. However, you must send alerts, notifications, etc., based on customers’ preferences.

Payment Methods

Not all customers carry cash, so your online ordering system must accept different payment modes, including debit/credit cards, UPI, internet banking, Apple Pay, mobile payments, etc.

Time-Tracking Feature

An online ordering system with a time-tracking feature is an excellent way to improve customer service. It lets you inform your customers when their orders will arrive, enabling them to plan their tasks/activities accordingly and achieve comfort, reliability, and convenience.

Better service is directly proportional to retaining existing customers and attracting new ones. Time tracking becomes even more important for restaurants that offer catering services for celebrations, marriages, and bulk orders.

Data Analytics

Data in the 21st century is synonymous with money. The more you understand the market, the higher the chances of reaching and engaging your target audience. As a result, you can streamline sales and generate more revenue.

Like inventory management system, such as KEXY, that comes with advanced, real-time data analytics to help restaurants manage their inventories and reduce cost, an online ordering system must also have this feature.

Customer data improves your service and boost profits. However, the software must provide insights based on actionable and precise data. On the other hand, raw or cluttered data is of no use.

Finally, data analytics allow companies in the food and beverage industry to modify their strategy based on consumers’ preferences and achieve a better product-market fit.

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