Times are tough, but we’ll get through this together.
While we are writing this for users of our
Tada Website Builder, these best practices can be applied to web design platforms and CMSs writ large such as WordPress, Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, and so on.
Step 1: Understand Your Online Ordering System Options
There are lots of online ordering systems and delivery solutions designed specifically for restaurants, and if you are already locked in with one there’s no reason to ‘reinvent the wheel’ on account of the coronavirus. However, if you are just setting up online ordering for the first time, it is worth understanding at least the big differences in the approaches of these platforms and services.
Online Ordering & Delivery Solutions Like GrubHub & Doordash
A couple benefits of these platforms:
- They come with a built-in user base for your customers to access right away, which may be particularly useful during coronavirus.
- They provide a 3rd-party delivery service so your customers don’t have to manage their own delivery staff.
Though these online ordering and delivery solutions are convenient for both restaurateurs and their customers alike, they do take a portion of revenue from each sale by the restaurant owner. However some of them, such as Uber Eats, have started to waive delivery fees
for independent restaurants across the U.S. and Canada due to the ongoing crisis. Similarly, GrubHub announced it is temporarily suspending collection of up to $100 million in commission payments
from impacted independent restaurants nationwide.Standalone Online Ordering & POS Systems Like ChowNow & GloriaFood
Solutions like
ChowNow
and
GloriaFood
offer commission-free online ordering systems and some services such as Toast also include the hardware for a POS specifically designed for restaurants. For detailed information on these and other online ordering systems, we recommend this
SmallBizTrends article
that goes into 10 of these solutions in detail.
These solutions do not include a delivery service, so this may be something you want to discuss with your restaurant customers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Existing eCommerce Tools
eCommerce solutions may not be the first thing you think of when trying to set up an online ordering system, but the option is there. For example, Tada is deeply integrated with Ecwid’s eCommerce platform and they provide a great example of a site that has been set up for online ordering over at
https://tacoshopsandiego.ecwid.com.
Step 2: Add an Online Ordering System to a Website
Tada customers can essentially take four different routes to integrate an online ordering system into a restaurant website.
Option #1: Add a CTA Button That Links to 3rd-Party Solution
This is the simplest option for adding online ordering to your store. To add a CTA with a deep link to a profile in an app or another 3rd-party online service, simply drag it into the desired place on the site from the Widgets menu and add your link.
Option #2: Drop an HTML Widget
You can also add HTML for a solution’s widget directly into a Tada site if it fits comfortably in the design. Here’s an example from Positano’s Italian restaurant in Westport, Connecticut of an Uber Eats widget that was added in this way.
Option #3: Build a Custom Widget
A more advanced and custom option would be to have Totera create a custom widget using Tada’s unique widget builder. This powerful tool allows you to have beautiful custom widgets for your website that integrates seamlessly with your chosen 3rd-party solution.
Option #4: Use Existing eCommerce Solutions
If you are already working with an existing eCommerce solution, you may be able to leverage it during the COVID-19 pandemic to set up an online ordering system.
Above, is an example of an online store set up to cater to the needs of a restaurant and its guests. As we pointed out, Tada customers can use the same tools to create online ordering systems right now.
Tada ecommerce enables you to:
- Customize menu options
- Track orders all in one place
- Accept payments everywhere
Step 3: Promote the New Delivery or Take-Away Service
Every digital marketer knows the everyday challenges of trying to have your desired message breakthrough, but this is even more challenging when consumers everywhere are flooded with information about a global pandemic. A strong social media presence, a regular drumbeat of content (e.g. blog posts, videos, social posts with updates, etc.) and accurate, current information on a website will be needed to keep customers engaged and primed to fill dining rooms when the crisis subsides.
Here are a few guides and resources we think are helpful for digital agencies and solutions providers that need to help restaurant customers communicate effectively to their guests during the COVID-19 outbreak.
