Key Takeaways
- Free systems usually have hidden fees.
- The best restaurant online ordering system offers users a branded menu, app, and website, a loyalty program, POS system integrations, and customer data collection capabilities.
- Many free online ordering systems exclude essential features for running and maintaining a restaurant.
- A key factor to consider is whether the online ordering system can scale with your restaurant’s growth. Some platforms may work well for smaller restaurants but lack the flexibility or features needed to support multiple locations.
Best Online Ordering Systems
This year, we opted 5 best online ordering systems for restaurants, which you can find below. For additional information on how we made our decision, see our criteria for evaluating the top online ordering systems for restaurants.
Orderzone is a commission-free cloud-based online food ordering platform for restaurants that enables consumers to make online orders for delivery or pickup directly from the restaurant’s website or branded mobile app. The software also supports online payment processing and POS connectivity, as well as automated kitchen ticket printing.
In addition, it enables restaurants to manage their online menus, inventory, and customer information. Codezone also allows users to develop targeted marketing campaigns and promotions via SMS, push, and email, as well as restaurant loyalty programs to boost in-store and online orders.
Orderzone also has an application programming interface (API), which allows you to combine the system with a variety of third-party delivery services and restaurant POS software.
Pros
- No commission fees
- Free, no-code, drag-and-drop website building
- Built-in loyalty program
- Integrated with 3rd party systems (POS, delivery, online payments, marketplaces)
- Easy to use
- Powerful marketing tools (promotions, coupons, email/sms/push marketing)
- Branded website, online menu, and mobile app
- Fully customizable
- Real-time data collecting
- Designed specifically for the restaurant industry
- Monthly subscription fee
- Restaurant SEO tools
- Multi-location management
- Tableside ordering
Cons
- No sales forecasting
- No barcode/ticket scanning
- No social media integrated promotion
- There are online order limits for the basic and standard plans
What is the Best Online Food Ordering System?
There are several online ordering systems on the market, and the ideal one for a certain restaurant will be determined by your personal requirements and preferences.
The greatest online ordering system is simple to use for both guests and staff, economical, and specifically created for the restaurant sector, with features that business owners require.
The most important features of online ordering software should be powerful restaurant marketing tools, an easy-to-use loyalty program, a fully customizable drag-and-drop website builder, a branded mobile app for easy ordering, report generation, restaurant analytics tools, and POS system integrations.
Online Ordering System
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What are the Benefits of Online Ordering Systems for Restaurants?
Online ordering systems for restaurants have numerous important advantages:
- Online order management: This allows your team to easily accept incoming online orders and begin working on them immediately.
- Real-time Menu Updates: Online ordering systems enable restaurants to display updated menus with available items and adjustments, enhancing the customer experience.
- Profit maximization: Online ordering systems use suggestive selling and upselling strategies to boost the average check. When reading an online menu, customers are more likely to add additional products, such as appetizers or drinks, increasing overall sales and restaurant profit margins.
- Customer Data Ownership: Keep track of your customers’ preferences and history in one place, and collect important data.
Mobile Convenience: Customers may order anytime, anywhere using their mobile devices, raising average check sizes and improving convenience for both dine-in and takeout.
Build websites and an online presence: Advanced online ordering systems for restaurants frequently include a restaurant website creator, which allows you to create a branded website and expand your online presence.
Improve customer loyalty: The best online ordering platforms help restaurant companies retain customers for longer periods of time.
Why Avoid Third-Party Delivery Apps?
- High Commission Fees: Apps can charge up to 30% per order, cutting into your profit margins.
- No Ownership of Customer Data: Restaurants don’t have access to valuable customer data, limiting targeted marketing and customer loyalty programs.
- Limited Menu Control: You can’t update the menu in real-time, leading to potential issues with unavailable items.
- Branding Restrictions: You have less control over the customer experience, limiting the opportunity to promote your restaurant’s brand directly.
