Ditch the Delivery Apps: How to Take Control of Your Restaurant Orders

Are you a restaurant owner feeling squeezed by the commission fees charged by third-party delivery apps? You’re not alone! While these apps offer convenience, they can significantly impact your bottom line and dilute your brand. The good news is, there are effective strategies to reclaim control and drive more direct orders vs. third-party delivery apps, leading to higher profits and stronger customer loyalty.

Let’s dive into how you can break free from the app trap and build your own thriving direct ordering system.

The High Cost of Convenience: Understanding the App Dilemma

Third-party delivery apps, while offering a quick solution to online ordering, come with a hidden price. Think of it like renting a beautiful apartment – it’s convenient, but you’re always paying someone else. Here’s a breakdown of the downsides:

High Commission Fees: This is the most obvious pain point. Apps often charge a hefty percentage (15-30% or more!) on each order, drastically reducing your profit margin.
Loss of Customer Data: The app owns the customer relationship. You don’t get direct access to valuable data like email addresses or ordering preferences, hindering your marketing efforts.
Branding Dilution: Your restaurant’s branding can get lost in the sea of options on the app. Customers may not even realize they’re ordering from your restaurant specifically.
Reduced Control: You have limited control over the delivery experience, which can impact customer satisfaction. A late or cold delivery reflects poorly on your restaurant, even if it’s the app’s fault.

Building Your Direct Ordering Empire: Strategies for Success

Now that we’ve identified the problem, let’s explore actionable strategies to drive more direct orders vs. third-party delivery apps. It’s like building your own house instead of renting – more work upfront, but you own the equity in the long run.

1. Optimize Your Website for Online Ordering

Your website is your digital storefront. It needs to be user-friendly, mobile-optimized, and make online ordering a breeze.

Mobile-First Design: Most customers browse on their phones. Ensure your website looks and functions flawlessly on mobile devices.
Clear Call to Action: Make your “Order Online” button prominent and easy to find. Don’t bury it in the navigation.
Seamless Ordering Process: Simplify the steps required to place an order. Reduce friction to minimize abandoned carts.
High-Quality Menu Display: Use enticing photos and clear descriptions of your menu items.
Showcase Specials and Promotions: Highlight your best deals to incentivize direct orders.

Consider using a service like MyQuick.Menu to create a streamlined, mobile-optimized link that consolidates your menu, delivery options, and social media presence. With pricing starting at just $9/month, it’s an affordable way to enhance your online presence.

Social media is a powerful tool to promote your direct ordering options and engage with your customers.

Consistent Posting: Regularly share mouthwatering photos of your dishes and promote your online ordering link.
Run Contests and Giveaways: Offer discounts or free items to followers who order directly from your website.
Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages promptly. Build a loyal following by being responsive and friendly.
Utilize Paid Advertising: Target local customers with ads promoting your direct ordering options.

3. Email Marketing: Nurture Your Customers

Email marketing is a cost-effective way to stay top-of-mind and drive repeat orders.

Build Your Email List: Offer incentives like a discount on their first direct order in exchange for signing up for your email list.
Send Regular Newsletters: Share menu updates, special promotions, and behind-the-scenes stories.
Personalize Your Emails: Segment your list based on ordering history and preferences to send targeted messages.
Promote Direct Ordering: Always include a clear call to action to order directly from your website in your emails.

4. Loyalty Programs: Reward Your Loyal Customers

Rewarding customers for ordering directly from you is a great way to encourage repeat business.

Points-Based System: Award points for every dollar spent on direct orders.
Exclusive Discounts: Offer special discounts only available to loyalty program members.
Birthday Rewards: Send a special offer to customers on their birthday.
Early Access: Give loyalty program members early access to new menu items or promotions.

5. Optimize Your Local SEO

Make sure your restaurant is easy to find online when people search for “restaurants near me” or “takeout near me.”

Claim Your Google Business Profile: This is essential for appearing in local search results.
Optimize Your Profile: Include your restaurant’s name, address, phone number, website, and hours of operation.
Encourage Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google and other platforms.
Use Local Keywords: Incorporate local keywords into your website content and Google Business Profile.

6. Offer Incentives for Direct Orders

Sometimes, a little extra incentive is all it takes to persuade customers to order directly from you.

Lower Prices: Offer slightly lower prices on your website compared to third-party apps.
Free Delivery: Waive delivery fees for direct orders.
Exclusive Menu Items: Offer special menu items only available for direct orders.
Free Appetizer or Dessert: Include a free appetizer or dessert with direct orders.

7. Take Advantage of QR Codes

QR codes are a quick and easy way for customers to access your online menu and place an order directly from their smartphones.

Place QR Codes on Tables: Allow dine-in customers to browse the menu and order from their phones.
Include QR Codes in Takeout Packaging: Encourage repeat orders by including a QR code on your takeout packaging.
Add QR Codes to Marketing Materials: Include QR codes on flyers, posters, and business cards.

MyQuick.Menu makes it incredibly easy to generate and manage QR codes linked directly to your mobile-optimized menu. Our Pro plan, starting at just $14/month, also provides advanced analytics to track customer behavior and optimize your menu for increased conversions. With our automatic menu sync, any changes you make are instantly reflected across all platforms. Plus, your first week is free!

Measuring Your Success: Tracking Key Metrics

It’s crucial to track your progress and measure the effectiveness of your strategies. Here are some key metrics to monitor:

Website Traffic: Track the number of visitors to your website.
Online Order Volume: Monitor the number of direct orders placed through your website.
Average Order Value: Track the average amount spent per direct order.
Customer Acquisition Cost: Calculate the cost of acquiring a new customer through direct ordering.
Customer Lifetime Value: Estimate the total revenue you’ll generate from a customer over their lifetime.

By tracking these metrics, you can identify what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your strategies accordingly. The comprehensive analytics provided by MyQuick.Menu’s Pro plan can provide valuable insights into customer behavior and help you make data-driven decisions.

Reclaim Your Profits, Reclaim Your Brand

Driving more direct orders vs. third-party delivery apps requires a strategic and consistent effort. By optimizing your website, leveraging social media, building your email list, implementing a loyalty program, and offering incentives, you can create a thriving direct ordering system that boosts your profits and strengthens your brand.

Ready to take control of your restaurant’s destiny? Explore how MyQuick.Menu can help you streamline your online presence and drive more direct orders. Start your free trial today and see the difference!