5 Food Ordering App Features To Look For When Choosing One

Though people seem to be returning to dining out, delivery is still going strong.

According to recent stats, restaurant food is delivered to 56% of customers so they won’t have to leave their homes.

More people are becoming accustomed to being “homebodies,” and delivery rates are expected to continue rising. If your restaurant doesn’t offer delivery, you may wonder how to get started.

The first step is creating a custom ordering website and using the right ordering app.

Let’s break down the top food ordering app features to look for that will elevate your service, streamline your operations, and deepen your connection with every customer. 

Ready to transform your digital dining experience?

Key Takeaways: 

• Ensure ease of use through a user-friendly interface and seamless integration with existing systems.
• Provide a consistent customer experience across all platforms, including mobile, tablet, and desktop, ensuring secure transactions and informative reviews.
• Maintain transparent pricing without hidden fees, and offer additional features like loyalty programs at no extra cost.
• Utilize data and insights to make informed business decisions and improve user engagement.
• Implement effective marketing tools, as apps and websites alone do not generate orders; also, consider the costs associated with these promotions.

How Custom Ordering Apps Can Transform Your Restaurant?

Considering a custom ordering app for your restaurant but wondering if it’s worth the investment? 

Let’s look at the numbers to give you a clearer picture:

• Custom ordering platforms are becoming increasingly essential, with the food delivery app market expected to grow annually by 9.3%, reaching nearly $320 billion by 2029. 
• Every week, 60% of Americans order takeout or delivery.
• Since 2014, online orders and delivery have increased by 300% compared to dining in.
• By 2025, over 40% of restaurant revenue will come from digital orders, underscoring the shift toward online dining solutions.

With statistics like these, the potential for enhancing your restaurant’s efficiency and customer engagement with a custom app is clear. What key features should your app include to capitalize on this growing trend? 

Let’s delve into the essentials to make your restaurant a standout in the digital dining era.

1. Your Customers Should Love Your Restaurant App 

A user-friendly interface in a restaurant’s custom ordering app drives engagement and sales. To deepen our understanding, here are more detailed aspects of UI/UX components that are critical for success:

• Intuitive User Flow: The journey from landing on the app to completing an order should be intuitive. This means logical progression through the menu, an easily accessible cart, and a straightforward checkout process. Users should never have to question what to do next.
• Adaptive Design: The design should automatically adjust to fit different device screens, ensuring that the app is just as easy to use on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. This adaptability prevents user frustration associated with poor layout adjustments.
• Consistency Across Pages: Consistent design across all app pages reinforces usability. This includes uniform fonts, color schemes, button styles, and response actions. Consistency reduces users’ cognitive load, making the app more accessible and easier to use.
• Interactive Elements: Interactive elements like buttons or links should be easy to recognize and click. Adequate sizing for touch targets and clear visual feedback when interactions occur help enhance the user experience.
• Loading Times and Performance: Optimized images, streamlined code, and a reliable hosting solution ensure the app loads quickly and performs well even on slower internet connections. Fast response times are crucial to keeping users engaged and reducing bounce rates.

These UI/UX components collectively improve the user experience, leading to increased order frequency and customer satisfaction. 

2.Robust Customization Options: Tailoring Your App to Reflect Your Restaurant’s Unique Flair

Creating a custom ordering app for your restaurant involves integrating robust customization options that capture your dining establishment’s unique ambiance and enhance the user experience. 

Here’s what to focus on:

• Logo Integration: Integrating your restaurant’s logo into the app strengthens brand recognition by maintaining visual continuity from your physical location to your digital presence, establishing a cohesive brand identity.
• Theme Colors: Adjusting the app’s color scheme to match your restaurant’s decor or branding creates a visually appealing experience that resonates with your brand’s familiar aesthetics, giving the app a personal touch.
• Menu Configuration: Offering flexibility in menu configuration allows you to easily update menu items, adjust pricing, add seasonal specials, and customize descriptions, ensuring that your digital menu is as dynamic and current as your kitchen.
• Promotional Features: Integrating promotional features enables you to seamlessly offer discounts, special events, and loyalty rewards, using the app as a direct marketing tool to engage customers.

Also read: 

• Top 20 Food Delivery App Advantages for Your Restaurant Business
• Online Ordering Systems in Restaurants: How Do They Work?
• The Ultimate Guide to Selecting a Restaurant Menu Management System
• 11 Advantages of Online Ordering for Your Restaurant
• Guide to Setting Up A Restaurant Ordering Website for Local Businesses
• 7 Essential Reasons Why Your Restaurant Needs An Ordering Website

3. Integrated Payment Solutions: Simplifying Transactions For Every Customer

Offering various payment options in your custom ordering app is crucial for catering to diverse customer preferences and enhancing user convenience. 

Here’s a breakdown of the payment methods your app should support and the impact of each:

Payment Method

Description

Credit/Debit Cards

These are the most commonly accepted forms of payment and are essential for any app. They provide a quick and familiar way for customers to complete transactions.

Mobile Wallets

Including options like Apple Pay, Google Wallet, and Samsung Pay caters to customers who prefer fast, secure mobile-based transactions. This method is growing in popularity due to its convenience and optimized security features.

Online Banking

Integrating direct bank transfers or internet banking options appeals to users who prefer to make payments directly from their bank accounts without using cards or third-party services.

The availability of multiple payment options ensures that every customer can find a payment method that suits their preference, leading to a smoother checkout experience. 

Streamlined and secure payment processes increase conversion rates by reducing cart abandonment and building trust in your service. 

4. Real-Time Order Tracking: Keeping Customers In The Loop

Real-time order tracking is essential in today’s fast-paced world, where customers expect to be updated at every stage of their order. Here’s how you can keep your customers satisfied and informed:

• How It Works: Utilize GPS technology to allow customers to see exactly where their order is on a map. Use push notifications to alert them about key stages: when the order is being prepared, when it’s on the way, and when it’s about to arrive.
• Key Technologies:
  • GPS Tracking: Provides accurate updates on the delivery’s location.
  • Push Notifications: This feature sends timely updates directly to the customer’s phone, keeping them informed without needing to check the app.
• Customer Benefits: This feature reduces uncertainty and anxiety by providing continuous updates on delivery status. It reassures customers that their order is coming and lets them plan their schedule around the expected arrival time. Real-time tracking builds trust and reliability in your service.

Implementing real-time order tracking means happier customers who feel valued and respected because they are kept in the loop every step.

Responsive Customer Support: The Backbone of Customer Satisfaction

Reliable customer support is a cornerstone in maintaining operational efficiency and securing enduring customer trust and loyalty. 

Here’s a deeper look at how a well-structured support system can elevate your restaurant’s service:

Effective Support Features

• Multiple Communication Channels: Cater to customer preferences by offering versatile contact methods such as live chat, email, and telephone support. Each channel should be seamlessly integrated to provide a consistent service experience.
• Quick Response Times: Where possible, aim to respond immediately or within a few hours. The quicker you can address concerns, the more satisfied your customers will feel.
• Proactive Support: Implement systems that not only react to issues but anticipate potential problems before they impact the customer, such as automatic notifications about order status or potential delivery delays.

Impact of Responsive Support

• Swift Issue Resolution: Efficiently addressing concerns minimizes disruptions and prevents minor issues from escalating into reasons for customers to leave negative reviews.
• Better Customer Trust: When customers know they can rely on prompt and effective help, their trust in your brand grows.
• Increased Customer Retention: Showing you care about your customers’ experiences promotes loyalty. Customers are more likely to return if they know support is readily available.
• Positive Word-of-mouth: Satisfied customers are likely to share their positive experiences with others, which can lead to new customer acquisitions without direct marketing efforts.

The Bottom Line: Integrating Essential App Features

When considering essential features for your custom ordering app, focus on user-friendly interfaces, flexible customization, diverse payment options, real-time order tracking, and responsive customer support to remain competitive in the restaurant industry.

While apps offer significant advantages, don’t overlook the potential of a comprehensive web solution optimized for mobile usage. 

Orders.co provides a direct ordering website that seamlessly adapts to smartphones, tablets, and desktops, making it perfect for capturing the increasing trend of mobile orders.

Direct Ordering Website with Mobile Optimization

We ensure your custom ordering website provides a smooth and fast experience across all devices and has various POS integrations for smooth and safe transactions. This is crucial for converting casual browsers into loyal customers by offering them a seamless navigation experience, whether on the go or ordering from home.

Menu Management

Orders.co offers an advanced menu management feature that simplifies updating and maintaining your restaurant’s offerings. This system allows you to effortlessly modify menu items, adjust pricing, and introduce special promotions directly from a user-friendly dashboard. By ensuring your menu reflects the latest offerings and prices, you can keep your customers informed and engaged on your own and third-party platforms at once. 

AI-Powered Marketing Solutions

Use Orders.co’s AI-powered restaurant marketing solution to easily automate SMS and email interactions with your customer base. This user-friendly tool helps you understand customer preferences, streamline targeted campaigns without expert knowledge, and spend too much time increasing orders and improving customer retention.

Loyalty Programs

With Orders.co, creating a restaurant loyalty rewards program is simple. Encourage frequent customers with points and discounts to promote repeat business. The system features an automated mobile loyalty program, boosting customer engagement and repeat transactions by facilitating straightforward management of loyalty rewards from the platform.

Local SEO Optimization 

Orders.co improves your restaurant’s visibility with its comprehensive local business optimization tool, designed to ensure you stand out in local search results. 

This feature facilitates effective management of your Google My Business profile, which is crucial for local SEO. 

Additionally, it ensures your restaurant is consistently listed in relevant local directories, further increasing your online presence. This strategic placement helps attract more local customers by making your restaurant more accessible and noticeable in area-specific searches.

By integrating these robust features from Orders.co into your operations, you can meet and exceed customer expectations, ensuring your restaurant remains a preferred choice in the competitive market.

Ready to see how Orders.co can transform your restaurant’s digital presence? 

Schedule a free demo today and discover your restaurant’s full potential through our platform.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are some emerging food ordering app features to look out for in the future? Emerging features in food ordering apps include voice command capabilities, integrated AI for personalized menu suggestions, and augmented reality for visualizing dishes before ordering. These advancements can improve user engagement and streamline the ordering process.

2. How can food ordering app features improve restaurant operations? Advanced app features can automate various aspects of restaurant operations, such as order management, inventory tracking, and customer relationship management. This integration helps streamline workflows, reduce errors, and increase overall efficiency.

3. What role do analytics play in the functionality of food ordering apps? Analytics in food ordering apps can provide valuable insights into customer preferences, peak ordering times, and popular menu items. This data helps restaurant owners make informed decisions about menu adjustments, promotional strategies, and operational improvements.

4. Are there specific food ordering app features that can help with customer retention? Yes, features such as personalized promotions, loyalty reward programs, and interactive customer feedback tools are effective in retaining customers. These features encourage repeat business by rewarding customer loyalty and engaging them in ways that improve their overall dining experience.

5. How do food ordering app features cater to customers with dietary restrictions? Many food ordering apps now include features that allow users to filter menu items based on dietary needs such as vegan, gluten-free, or allergen-free options. 

6. Can food ordering app features integrate with social media platforms? Yes, integration with social media platforms is a common feature, allowing customers to share their dining experiences, post reviews, and interact with the restaurant directly through apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

7. What security features are important in food ordering apps? Security features such as SSL encryption, two-factor authentication, and secure payment gateways are crucial for protecting user data and transaction details. Ensuring robust security measures helps build trust and safeguards against data breaches.