How to Unlock the Power of an Online Ordering App?
In today’s market, different applications or “apps” as we call them are available for customers to use from the most complex such as data analytics applications to the simplest like a timekeeping application. A restaurant business can also benefit from this piece of technology by using an online ordering app.
But before we dive deep into the specific steps you can take as an entrepreneur, we tackle the basic factor in which our purpose as a business is based on – taking advantage of cyberspace.
Cyberspace as an influencer to your restaurant app success
Your online activity and that of your customers is direct experience in the concept of cyberspace. Cyberspace is the network of computers connected to each other through the internet. An online ordering app is influenced by cyberspace in the following key areas:
- Frequency of activity
The amount of time you and your customers spend online or in cyberspace is a great influencer on your online ordering app. In addition, it determines the views and visits to your online ordering app. The more views you get, the better the chance of getting engagements and ultimately, sales conversions.
- Website ranking
Your website ranking determines the exposure of your online ordering app to your customers. A higher ranking is a surefire way to be where your target buyer personas are – and to attract traffic that can potentially have a use for your online ordering app.
- Service provider expertise
The quality of expertise of the service provider of your online ordering app is influenced by cyberspace, too. How? Data analytics and user insights can be used as a basis by your service provider to improve the features of your online ordering app. And most of the time, data such as customer location, menu preferences, and restaurant segments, are the most common information that your service provider processes to come up with bespoke solutions that fit your needs as a business.
Below are some of the ways you can unravel the potential of having an online ordering app
1. Create a user interface that converts to sales
The interface in your online ordering app should be able to let you attract, convert, and retain your customers. A professional-looking user interface leads customers to order in your app. When you provide a well-presented menu, 24/7 customer service, and a dashboard that is easy to navigate, you can convert visitors into sales. Allow your customers some level of exploration to gain familiarity with your app. This is a good way to keep them coming and ordering over and over again.
2. Drive marketing automation in your app
This is pretty much straightforward. Always make sure that your online ordering and delivery app is enabled with marketing automation. Your marketing activities with the existing features of your app must be on-brand at all times. Focus on the following when automating your marketing:
- Compatibility across devices
Your app must be available on all devices – from mobile to laptops, including all operating systems that are widely used by users to ensure that all features of your app run the same across all devices.
- Ensure constant development of the app
To achieve better results you need to be updated with the current trends and development in the online ordering app development space. Technology is dynamic and evolves at a rapid pace so always be open to change and do your own research on a constant basis. Upgrade your app to keep up with the demands of the market. You can target both birds in just one bullet.
3. Achieve singularity of your delivery system and technology
Your online ordering app and restaurant technology defeat the purpose of having a seamless operation unless it becomes singular with your system. Singular means that your app and system are functioning as one in your overall process. Your delivery app and your system should go hand in hand with your operations. It should not be contradicting each other so that your customers and your people will not get confused. You can achieve singularity by observing the following on both your delivery system and technology or app:
- Same features
Both your delivery app and the system should contain the same features. Your system will give you the details of the process while your app will execute this by using technology.
- The process flow will result in the same goal or goals
The process of your app and system should arrive at the same goal or goals. For example, your delivery process should end when your customer has received their orders from you. This should also be reflected in your delivery app as the end of delivery transactions.
- Minimal to zero issues encountered
Aim for minimal if not zero issues. It’s normal for a system or app to have bugs and errors before deployment; therefore testing is of prime importance. Should you encounter an issue, resolve it immediately. Remember that time is of the essence here you might lose an important customer and sales because of issues encountered.
4. Take advantage of high-end data and solutions to your business
In order for your online ordering system and delivery app to attain maximum use, you need to take advantage of high-end data and solutions. You should do the following in order to make this happen:
- Regular data analysis
You should assign a point person in your team to set aside a time to have data analysis on your delivery app. You should take note of the hit rate, customer retention and customer complaints resolution in your data analysis. This is because this data will give you the performance of your restaurant. Depending on your findings you can make needed improvements or upgrade your online ordering app.
- App development based on current customer preferences
Your customer preferences are important for you to unlock your app potential. Why? This is because it is their expectations of your service to them. So if you’re able to meet customer expectations you’re leading the right way to sales conversion.
- Review delivery app solutions by the experts
You can take advantage of the great pool of experts nowadays. Their studies and recommended business solutions focusing on online ordering apps are worth the time to consider in your strategic planning. So, you can include their findings into your discussions and you can adapt some of their recommendations.
5. Ensure 100% delivery app integration
And last but not the least, in order for you to maximize an online ordering app is by ensuring 100% app integration. Integration means that your app syncs with other major app features like waitlist, loyalty, and point of sale systems. Your app should be like a web of inter-related systems that result in smooth-running restaurant operations. An optimized app must be usable in all devices (as discussed earlier) and machines that you’re using in your restaurant.
If your restaurant is looking for an online ordering system
