Restaurant Toolkit

Choosing The Best Online Ordering System for Your Restaurant

Jun 2, 2022 | 7 min read

So Aussies are ordering food online. What does that mean for restaurants like you?

By now, there’s no debate about the prevalence of online food ordering down under — with over 5.5 million Aussies tapping their phones whenever cravings hit, we know there is a real and growing appetite for convenience.

For today’s busy consumers juggling work, family, endless to-do lists, and life in general, online ordering is a lifesaver. Whether it’s for delivery, pick-up or takeaway, getting food on the table is now quick, easy, and safe to boot. So while customers are slowly trickling back into their local restaurants, cafes and bars post pandemic, many still prefer the contactless experience.

As savvy restaurant owners, you already know online ordering is essential to stay competitive and get ahead of the game. But your next few questions may sound something like these:

Do the benefits of online ordering outweigh the startup costs?

How do I even get started with online ordering?

Which online ordering system works best for my restaurant?

What this blog covers:

What are the benefits of online ordering for restaurants?
How to choose the top online ordering system for your restaurant
What’s the best online ordering system for restaurants in 2023?

Keep reading for all you need to know about online ordering below!

Image of a pantry rack filled with fresh produce and ingredients

What are the benefits of online ordering for restaurants?

Say goodbye to manual orders coming in from a Whatsapp message, phoned-in orders in the middle of rush hour, or a snaking line out the door for takeaway orders. Is an online ordering system really worth the shift? We can think of at least 7 reasons why that’s a hard, resounding yes.

1. Ease and convenience of ordering
Online ordering systems allow you to set up a digital menu, which can be easily updated when an item runs out of stock or when you have a new offering. This means customers are always seeing your real-time menu and can add modifications or preferences when ordering. Instead of flagging down a staff member, they can even add items whenever they’d like when dining in. From accessing your menu to making payments, online ordering paves the way for shorter wait time and fewer barriers for your hungry customers.

2. Seamless order management
‍Gone are the days when you needed to consolidate tickets manually with order slips or search frantically for the specific order time to determine which one came first. With an online ordering system, everything comes in through a single dashboard and orders are sent directly to your kitchen with little room for error.

3. Maximise order volume and sales
‍When ordering via a digital menu on their phones, customers can take their time digesting menu items, perusing mouth-watering food photos, and looking at prices. Plus, it’s easier to be impulsive when add-ons are just a click away. Online ordering is a surefire way to get higher order volume and sales.

Image of restaurant staff working in the kitchen

1. More profits, less fees
‍In a time when the most popular delivery apps are charging commissions averaging 30-45%, we get that protecting margins is your number one priority. Here’s the good news: not only does online ordering open the door to more sales, it also gives you a bigger cut of the profits with none of the commission fees.

2. Better control over the customer experience
Whether they’re dining in or ordering for delivery, customers expect the same level of quality from your restaurant. Using online ordering means you can ensure your food is delivered the way you want it, and the customer service is representative of your hospitality. Essentially, you get to stay in the driver’s seat.

3. Reduced labour resources
‍With staff shortages across the hospitality industry, the last thing you want is to waste staff hours on tedious tasks like taking orders. Empowering your customers to order online allows your team to focus instead on providing excellent service. With staffing resources better allocated, the shift to online ordering will also help you save costs in the long run!

4. Stay ahead of the competition with greater reach
What sets your restaurant apart from the 40,000 other establishments in Australia? When customers are looking to get their orders in quickly or view an online menu, the convenience of online ordering could put you over the edge. Your order opportunities now also extend beyond your opening hours and seating capacity. How? We’re glad you asked. Customers can browse your menu in advance before opening hours — and work up an appetite for more orders! — or opt to pick up or takeaway instead when it’s a full house.

What should you consider when choosing an online ordering system for your restaurant?

‍Foodship, Aigen, Mr Yum, Loke, me&u, Lightspeed, Order Up, Otter's Direct Orders — the list continues. With so many options available, it’s important to consider the features that make one system the best online ordering app for your business. We’ve shortlisted five must-haves for your restaurant to succeed in online ordering:

1. Ease of integration: When you’re ready to make the move, you want to make sure the online ordering system you choose is intuitive, works well with the rest of your integrations, and is easy for your staff to use.

2. Ability to customise: The best online ordering system allows you to pick and only pay for features that best fit your restaurant’s needs. Did you also know that 40% of consumers prefer to order from a restaurant’s branded website over a third-party app? Being able to add your restaurant’s personal brand and aesthetic to the online ordering experience is a huge perk!

3. Robust add-ons: When it comes to bang for your buck, you want to consider the additional functionalities that an online ordering system offers. Complementary tools such as QR code ordering, menu management, or branded merch can make a dent in your sales and save your team valuable time.

4. Affordable fees and costs: Online ordering is all about keeping your margins healthy, so cost is a compelling consideration here. Ideally, you can start small with your online ordering system and pad it with more features as you grow. Keep a close eye on additional charges for items like hardware, printables or promotional slots.

5. Continued customer support: In the restaurant business, we know dealing with system errors is a headache when you’ve already got so much on your plate. That’s why it’s crucial for the ideal online ordering system to have a reliable support team that’s able to assist you when issues arise.

Image of a table filled with Japanese food with a QR code ordering coaster in the center

Try Otter's Direct Orders to take control of your restaurant’s online ordering

And we’ll tell you why — at $39 per month to start, it’s the most value-for-money online ordering system out there. It’s also ridiculously easy to set up online ordering for your restaurant with Direct Orders. Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up for Otter, 100% risk free.

2. We'll set up everything — a unique URL and ordering website for your digital menu. If you opt for a QR code, we’ll also send you sleek printed versions for contactless on-premise orders.

3. Add this info to your social profiles and website and you’re all set to get started with online ordering.

4. We also have customised business cards and flyers that you can place in your takeaway bags. That’s right, it'll be super easy to let your customers know they can support you by ordering directly!