Your Automatic Sales Machine in the Information Era - An Online Ordering System
Your Automatic Sales Machine in the Information Era - An Online Ordering System
Yes, you could set up Internet access in your restaurant and check e-mails in your back office.
But a better answer would be: you buy a wireless router, connect it to the cable or DSL modem, and post on your window "FREE Wireless Internet Access" to attract more customers.
An even better answer: you are high tech savvy. You set up a cool computer network (POS, security cameras, and so on) in your restaurant and connect it to the Internet, so you could remote access your systems at home and check what's going on at midnight.
And an even better answer: You build a web site for your restaurant and put your business information, menu, and some photos on it. Then, when people call and ask where you are, you can simply and proudly say: check our web site.
All those answers can bring you something - better environment, convenience, efficiency, attraction to customers, and so on. But, are they good enough? Is there anything that really can help your business - your SALES? Bring you NEW ORDERS and NEW CUSTOMERS, not indirectly, but DIRECTLY?
The answer is Online Ordering system.
In an era in which more than 74 percent of Americans are online, in which most people would rather type text messages and e-mails than pick up the phone, in which we can buy almost everything on the Internet, it truly is surprising that most restaurants still are taking orders the same way as 40 years ago - by telephone or customer walk-in.
Why's that? Simply because your customers are ready, but YOU didn't provide them a way to order online.
Here, you may think there must be a reason why most restaurants don't do online ordering. Maybe people are not used to ordering food online.
It sounds like a valid assumption but a WRONG one. Again, your customers are ready. And the reality is: more and more restaurants, including all the major pizza chains, are taking online orders right now.
And you may have heard from other restaurants something like: "Online ordering doesn't work," or "We tried but didn't get any orders." Then, does it work?
The answer is a big YES, if you design and setup your online ordering system CORRECTLY. A well-designed online ordering system is an AUTOMATIC SALES MACHINE.
We (IntelliEagle) have helped a variety of restaurants to build their online ordering systems since 2005. While working with those clients, we have had many experiences in this area and would like to share those experiences - successful and unsuccessful stories (and the reason why) - and useful tips with you, through a series of articles. So read on.
Will Zheng is a Restaurant Online Ordering expert and senior software consultant in Orlando, Florida. To learn more, please visit http://www.intellieagle.com. You may contact Will directly at wzheng@intellieagle.com.