Cash Cow - Taking Orders Online

[Slippy]

Hey all =)

I have a potential client who is interested in making it so his website can take orders online and he will recieve them at his restraunt (that is sit-in and take out).

I figured many of you may run across the same issue and could use a nice place to start, so I was wondering what do you think is the best solution?

I am pretty simplestic so I was thinking something basic along the lines of recieving an e-mail once the order is done online. But I am sure there is a better way.

How does Dominoes and PapaJohns do it?

Does anyone have some good or creative ideas? Or perhaps have done it in the past before?

Cheers,
Nick

P.S- Also how much do you think I could charge for this service?

[Ken Preuss]

Originally Posted by Slippy

How does Dominoes and PapaJohns do it?

Here are the steps for finding out:

1) Go into their store
2) Buy a slice of pizza for lunch
3) ASK THEM

Ken

[Paul Buckley]

Originally Posted by Ken Preuss

Here are the steps for finding out:

1) Go into their store
2) Buy a slice of pizza for lunch
3) ASK THEM

Ken

They do it with a follow-up phone confirmation

[Chris Ramsey]

I've seen this done a lot of ways. The most common I've seen in small businesses is to have a seperate computer used for just incoming e-mail. After the payment is processed, the order is sent to the e-mail and makes a loud 'ding' or something to that effect when a new order comes in. It is then processed just like all the other orders.

[Slippy]

right... but how does it alert them that someone just made an order? Do they constantly have to look at the computer screen for orders?

[Jagged]

There are places like Restaurant Online Ordering Software - orderTalk or MealAgent.com - Online food ordering for restaurants that offer delivery and takeout all around the world. that have the software for this. All automated for eat-in, take-out or delivery. (non-affiliate links)

Hope that helps...

http://www.gimmegrub.com/ is another one...

[Slippy]

Thanks Jagged that really helps =)

[Jesus Perez]

Jotform can handle this in it's simplest form. (Don't pay because I don't deliver pizza!) :-)

Here's a sample form I threw together in 2 minutes:

Form

It's like a mini-shopping cart.
The only problem is flexibility. You can't throw in product pictures or long descriptions.

Once the form is submitted, a copy is emailed to the owner and payment is collected via Paypal.

If you don't go this route, you'll need a full-fledged shopping cart like SunShop.

[doylesoft]

Paul, you are a genius! Slippy, it is so simple it's crazy! Disclaimer: I have a very simplistic mind... but I would just put a simple web form on the site:

Name:
Phone Number:

That's it! Just those two fields... you can of course add more fields if you want. Then, the form emails your Outlook or GMail account. Just have the email on screen or full screen at all times and have an employee call the person's phone number ASAP to confirm.

Just leave a disclaimer that says if someone hasn't called you within 10 minutes, please try the form again.

It's so easy it's crazy!!! And it's free! Just give your client the PERCEPTION that it was difficult and collect your paycheck.

[doylesoft]

BlueSquares, I like your web form example. Nice work!

[Slippy]

But isnt one point of online ordering for deliveries to make it so you don't have to talk to an employee? So the employee can be doing other things, also it might be easier for communication b/c green peppers and bananna peppers can sound familar, it gets rid of any confusion over the telephone.

But I guess the best idea is the e-mail and the loud *Ding* noise. Any other ideas?

[GuruGazette]

I wouldn't use a form if I were a customer. I don't even like the current pizza online order offers. Why? Because they don't make things easier or faster. (Last time I looked) They require you to create an account ( I *HATE* that) and then they don't even let you pay online.

I don't know about other places but around here trying to talk to anyone on the phone at a pizza place is horrible. Once they finally answer, the noise in the background is so bad they can't hear half of what you're saying

[doylesoft]

Slippy, exactly! That's why your web form can contain an extra field asking if the customer wants an email or phone confirmation. Just make it plain simple for the client and the client's customers and you got it in the bag!

[GimmeGrub_com]

Web forms are definately cheap, but one missed online order may lose a customer for live.

Full service online ordering companies verify every order with the restaurant. Orders are can get to the restaurant by fax, network printer or POS system. Emails are not recommended, to much time wasted.

With the right company you will get lots of service for about the cost of 2 orders/month.

-Jason

[AndrewCavanagh]

If you want to get the highest conversion from people looking at an online website you:

# 1: Have them fill out a form that STARTS with their name, phone number and email address.

# 2: Have them tell you what they want.

# 3: Have staff call them back IMMEDIATELY to confirm their order and process their credit card payment immediately.


There are many, many ways of taking orders online but the method above so far gets the highest conversion simply because it's nearly impossible for orders to fall through the cracks.

Once you have a name and phone number your staff can call back...even if there's no order or the order's been screwed up etc etc.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh