Do you want to create an online system for your restaurant?
In this digital era, it has become absolutely necessary for restaurants of all sizes to have an online ordering system. It not only fulfills modern customer demands but also increases operational efficiency. According to reports, the number of online food delivery users in Europe was forecast to touch 242 million in 2024 and it is expected to reach 286 million in 2025. So if you still are not selling your food online, you might be missing a big opportunity to boost your revenue from food business.
In the food business, customer preferences are changing rapidly with modernization and technical advancements. Today’s mobile generation prefers everything at their fingertips including food ordering. The online food delivery market is anticipated to witness a massive growth of US$1.40tn in 2025. So it is a good idea to digitize your food business now to be a part of this growth. If you are confused about where to start or are constantly googling about how to set up an online ordering system for a restaurant, this article is for you.
In this article, we have shared a detailed guide on creating an online food ordering system for your restaurant.
Understanding the online ordering system
An online ordering system for restaurants refers to a platform that allows businesses to sell food online and customers to place online orders for food and drinks from their preferred restaurants using the internet. The method of placing and accepting orders for food online can be done through a dedicated restaurant website, mobile app or third-party platforms.
An online ordering system typically consists of the following elements:
- A stunning food menu
- Secured payment gateway
- User-friendly ordering interface
- Seamless order management
- Regular updates and smooth communication with customers.
How to create an online ordering system for your restaurant?
Small restaurant owners often step back from creating an online ordering system or digitizing their restaurant thinking that the process might need a lot of technical expertise. If you too feel the same, let us tell you it is a myth. You can easily create your own online ordering system using the right software.
Restaurants can add an online ordering facility mainly in two ways:
- By creating their own online ordering system
- By relying on third-party websites.
So which is a better option? Well, the obvious answer is having your own online system. It not only removes your reliance on third-party websites but saves commissions, increases exposure and improves user experience. However, both the systems have some pros and cons. To find out the differences and qualities of an in-house ordering system and third-party platforms, consider reading our previous blog on Third-party Vs In-house food ordering system.
To sell food on a third-party website or app you need to register yourself and pay the commission per order you receive as per their policy. On the other hand, when you decide to have your branded online ordering system without the burden of commission, you need to have a website or a mobile app.
Now, let us find out the steps to create a full-fledged online ordering system for your restaurant.
1. Determine whether to rely on a third-party platform or build your own food ordering system
After considering the pros and cons of third-party food delivery platforms & in-house online ordering systems and your budget you need to determine whether you want to go for third-party platforms or create your own food ordering system. For small businesses, having an in-house online ordering system is a beneficial option as it is cost-effective and gives independence in managing your orders seamlessly. When it comes to established restaurant businesses without any budget constraints, we recommend both options for better exposure, revenue and independence. Third-party platforms charge a huge amount as a commission from restaurant owners making it inaccessible for startups and small restaurants. In contrast, an in-house online food ordering system gives freedom from commission and it also boosts order flow which make it an accessible and profit-making option for restaurants of all sizes.
2. Create a restaurant website
Having a website is a must to establish your restaurant in the online market. It works as a face of your business for those who search for it online. While designing a website you need to keep certain things in mind:
- Make sure you choose a good restaurant theme that represents your business.
- Use subtle color combinations to maintain a minimalist yet sophisticated appeal.
- Dont forget to add important details of your restaurant including its location, contact details, gallery to show inside pictures, reviews and more.
Besides this, create SEO-based content with proper keywords to gain visibility online and maximize traffic.
Once you build a website the next step for you is to create a striking menu that entices your customers and website visitors. Always remember that your restaurant’s food menu is the heart of your business, so arrange the food items in a way that simply becomes irresistible for your audiences.
Consider the following tips for creating a menu:
- Highlight best-selling food items.
- Showcase menu of the day.
- Create a section of the chef’s recommended food items.
- Use attractive real images.
- Focus on food photography.
Categorize food items based on the above mentioned criteria to gain maximum attention and improve user experience.
4. Choose a restaurant POS system
Having just a website is not enough to initiate the online ordering process. You need to have a good restaurant POS system with an online ordering feature. When you search for the best online ordering software for restaurant or the best Restaurant POS system on Google you will get a plethora of options to choose from. This may overwhelm and confuse you. However, you can look for the following features that an ideal online ordering system for restaurants must have before picking up one:
- Secured payment options.
- Real-time order tracking.
- Third-party integrations.
- Loyalty program.
- Customizability.
- Support
Choose a reliable software based on these criteria.
5. Ensure secure payment options
Payment security is a must for a business when it involves online transactions through online ordering. When you offer secured payment options, customers do not hesitate to place order online from your website or app.
- Make sure you offer secured payment options to your clients including credit/debit cards, digital wallets and more.
- Ensure that your customer’s payment information is secured.
- Provide tax invoice to maintain transparency.
6. Optimize your website for mobile
Whether you have a mobile app or not your website needs to be mobile optimized so that your audiences can access it through their mobile phones. Consider the following things to make your website mobile-friendly.
- Your website must have a responsive theme and designs.
- Make sure that the buttons you provide are large enough to be visible on phone.
- Make the checkout process effortless for clients by reducing the number of steps,
- Do check your online ordering system on multiple devices to make sure that it offers consistent performance everywhere.
7. Promote your online ordering system
Promote your restaurant’s online ordering facility to encourage people to order food online from your restaurant.
- Use social media platforms to promote your business online.
- Adopt a loyalty program to retain customers
- Create solid email marketing strategies to stay in touch with your subscribers and existing customers.
- Try influencer marketing to maximize audience reach online.
These are the steps that you need to pass through to create an online ordering system for your restaurant.
If all the steps seem overwhelming to you, choose FoodMato, to do all the tasks for you. FoodMato is a restaurant POS system with an online ordering system that fulfills all your requirements to establish yourself in the online market.
Best online ordering system for restaurants
If you are looking for the best online ordering system for restaurants, trust FoodMato. It carries robust features that are essential for establishing your business online. Here are services it offers:
- Online ordering and delivery.
- Menu creation and management.
- Designing and branding website.
- Adding restaurant gallery to your website.
- Restaurant review system.
- Overall restaurant marketing services including social media account and community management.
- Food photography and more.
Discover FoodMato now !
FAQs
1. What is an online ordering system for restaurants?
An online ordering system refers to a digital platform that allows restaurant owners to sell food online and customers to access a restaurant menu online, place orders for their preferred food items, and make payments for the same.
2. How does the online ordering system work?
The online ordering system for restaurants usually works through a mobile app or a website where customers place order for food after browsing through the restaurant menu and restaurant owners accept orders and initiate deliveries.
3. What is the cost of an online ordering system for restaurants?
The cost of having an online ordering system for your restaurant usually depends on the services you choose. It can range between $20 to $500 a month. If you are looking for a restaurant POS software with an online ordering system, go for FoodMato which covers major restaurant management operations within $99. Customization and additional services are also available as per customer demand. Contact the sales team for thorough pricing details,
