Did you know that almost 70% of consumers prefer ordering online directly from restaurants instead of third-party delivery platforms?
The restaurant industry has witnessed a significant change in the way customers interact with them. Gone are those days when enjoying restaurant food meant visiting the restaurant or placing orders through phone calls for home delivery. Modern consumers rely on digital platforms to choose their preferred food and place orders. Moreover, they look for better control, pricing transparency, and personalization whenever they place orders. This is one of the biggest reasons for their growing inclination towards ordering directly from restaurant websites.
To fulfill customer preferences and expectations, restaurants are also embracing digital transformation by building websites and incorporating an online ordering system. In this article, we will discuss why customers prefer ordering online directly from restaurants instead of marketplaces.
Reasons for customer preference in ordering online directly from restaurants
Creating an online ordering system on restaurant websites undoubtedly offers multiple benefits to a restaurant. Now, let us find out why customers also find it advantageous for online ordering.
Convenient and time-saving
The process of ordering food online directly from a restaurant’s website offers convenience and the ultimate comfort of quick order placing, processing, and delivery to customers. Customers simply browse through their menu, place orders, and initiate payments through a straightforward process without any obstacles. On the other hand, placing an order through third-party platforms means lots of advertisements, other restaurants’ promotional content, and a longer payment process. The scope of directly communicating with the restaurant is also very less in that case.
Direct ordering from the restaurant website also provides better control and a personalized experience to customers.
- Quick payment and delivery processing with a saved delivery address for repeat customers.
- Personalized deals on favorite food items.
- Direct interaction with restaurants for feedback, complaints, and specific changes to any order.
- Ordering scheduling flexibility for customers.
In a nutshell, placing orders directly from a restaurant website strengthens the bond between customers and the restaurant, enhancing customer loyalty and communication.
Increased accuracy and customization
Another factor that encourages consumers to order directly from restaurants is the opportunity for customization with increased accuracy. Customers can customize their orders by specifying their ingredient preferences to chefs, ensuring that their orders are prepared exactly as they want. This is because when customers place their orders directly from a restaurant’s dedicated online ordering system, they are offered multiple customizing fields, clear options, and other specifications. Starting from topping choices to cooking preferences, it makes everything easy and quick for customers.
- Placing direct orders from restaurants instantly reflects the specifications mentioned by customers in their orders, which ensures 10 times more accuracy than telephonic conversations with restaurant owners while placing orders through third-party platforms.
- Better customization means better user experience and satisfaction, which is beneficial for both customers and restaurants.
Online restaurant ordering systems are developed keeping all these things in mind to ensure that customer expectations are fulfilled.
Cost transparency
Cost transparency is a crucial part of every business, and customers always want to understand where and how they are charged for the things they purchase. No one likes additional or unnecessary charges. This is another essential factor for customers who prefer ordering online directly from a restaurant’s website.
While ordering from third-party delivery platforms, customers often face unexpected service charges and increased food prices, with additional delivery costs. This ultimately turns off consumers. In contrast, ordering from restaurant websites gives customers the freedom to check prices in detail, including price breakups, taxes, and delivery charges. This eliminates the scope of hidden costs or any unexpected charges. Moreover, restaurants often bear the burden of high commission fees from third-party delivery platforms, which necessitates keeping food prices high in such locations. So when they sell the same food items from their own online ordering system, customers get them at an affordable cost.
Exclusive offers
When it comes to discounts on food items and exclusive deals, ordering online directly from a restaurant’s website is the best bet. This is because restaurants can customize deals for customers based on their order history, purchasing behaviors, and order preferences. This adds value to each customer and enhances loyalty among them.
This is a great marketing tactic for restaurants as well, which increases customer retention. Customers experience a feel-good factor when they have to pay less for their favorite food items. This helps them build a relationship with the restaurant that understands what they want and impresses them with discounts and deals.
Rewards and loyalty benefits
Who does not love rewards, especially when it comes to enjoying good food? Rewards are an extremely useful way of retaining customers and attracting new ones. It not only encourages them to purchase more from your restaurant but also makes them feel valued at your restaurant. This is also a big reason for customers to prefer ordering directly from restaurant websites rather than third-party delivery platforms.
Discounts and deals are also offered in third-party platforms, but they lack exclusivity and mainly connect customers with the delivery platform, not with the restaurant itself.
Create your own online ordering system with FoodMato
If you still don’t have your own online ordering system or rely on third-party platforms for online orders, try FoodMato, an all-in-one restaurant POS system. It lets you create a superior online ordering system on your website and takes care of your restaurant sales and marketing through a secure payment process.
It empowers your restaurant with all the features that it needs for a complete digital makeover.
Whether you have a small cafe, bar, or run a chain of restaurants, FoodMato is the perfect choice for you to digitize your restaurant. Besides exclusive restaurant management features, it is backed by a sincere support team that helps you whenever you have a query or experience a technical glitch. To know more about FoodMato and its restaurant management features, join us on Facebook and Instagram.
