Are you tired of managing catering orders the old-fashioned way? Are you ready to upgrade to a modern, efficient catering online ordering system? Look no further! 

In this blog post, we will discuss 18 essential features to look for when choosing an online ordering system for catering. From customizable menus to real-time order tracking, these features will ensure that your business can easily handle even the most complex catering orders. Don’t miss out on the benefits of an online ordering system – start your search today and find the right system for your business! Read on!

Catering Online Ordering System

A catering online ordering system is a comprehensive solution that enables businesses to manage, streamline, and optimize the ordering process of their catering services. It allows customers to easily order food online, manage orders, and track deliveries. Customers can view menus, choose items, customize orders, and pay securely through the system. The system also provides valuable analytics so business owners can track customer activity and understand popular products.

This system removes the hassle of manually receiving orders and keeping track of the delivery status. It eliminates the need for paper invoices or cash payments by providing an efficient digital payment processing service. This system allows customers to access detailed product information and reviews that help them make informed decisions when ordering food online. It also allows businesses to manage their catering orders and track customer data to understand their customers’ needs better.

The catering online ordering system provides an easy-to-use user interface with various tools that make the job easier for catering businesses. Business owners can easily create custom menus, adjust prices, add specials, and set delivery zones. They can also monitor orders in real-time and track stock levels to ensure they are always prepared for large orders. This highly customizable and efficient system allows business owners to optimize their operations without investing in costly software or POS hardware solutions.

Online Ordering System for Catering: Key Features

If you're in the market for an online ordering system for catering, it's important to know what features to look for to ensure that you find the right solution for your business. Here are 18 key features to consider when shopping for an online ordering system for catering.

1. Automated Menu

An automated menu makes it easy for customers to select items quickly without reading through complicated descriptions or ingredient lists. This reduces customer order time and eliminates mistakes in ordering. 

2. Streamlined Payment Processing

Having an efficient payment processing capability is essential for any online ordering system catering business. It should be able to handle payments from multiple sources, including credit cards, other digital wallets, and contactless payments. The system must also provide customers with a secure way to enter their payment information, such as encryption or tokenization.

3. Reporting and Analytics

An online ordering system for catering must have reporting and analytics functions. These allow caterers to keep track of sales, customer order trends, other data points, and the service’s overall performance. By providing real-time data on how the catering business is performing, operators can make informed decisions about their operations, menu items, pricing strategies, and marketing campaigns. They can also identify areas where they may need improvements or modifications.

4. Scalability

An online ordering system for catering should be built with scalability in mind. This means the system should support changes to the user base, frequency of orders, and order sizes over time. The system’s architecture must handle increased demand without compromising performance or incurring additional costs.

5. User Management

An online ordering system for catering allows caterers to easily manage user access and permissions so that they always have control over who has access to their system and what they are allowed to do. The user management feature allows caterers to create and manage user roles, assign users to those roles, and set up custom permissions for each role. This ensures that the caterer’s system is secure and that only those allowed to manage orders or view customer information, can do so.

6. Automated Ordering

An online ordering system allows you to easily place orders with suppliers without manually filling out forms or calling in your order. This makes ordering quick and easy, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your event planning process.

7. Customization Options

An online ordering system gives you access to various customization options that allow you to tailor the system to your specific needs. You can set different parameters such as delivery times, order quantities, and payment methods. This ensures that your customers get exactly what they need when they order from your business.

8. Order Tracking

This feature enables businesses to quickly and accurately track orders from start to finish. Users can view detailed reports on every meal served, featuring real-time updates on order status, delivery times, and payment information. This allows restaurateurs to provide better restaurant customer service and ensure orders are fulfilled promptly.

9. Delivery Tracking

Another key feature is delivery tracking. Customers should be able to track their order from when it is placed until it reaches its final destination. This feature keeps customers informed every step of the way while also giving them peace of mind that their order is coming.

10. Security Measures

To maintain secure transactions, online ordering systems include multiple layers of encryption that protect customers’ data from potential hackers or other malicious activities. The system also includes EMV and PCI compliance support so restaurants can remain compliant with industry regulations.

11. Customer Loyalty

An effective online ordering system for catering should also include features that encourage customer loyalty. This could involve offering restaurant discounts and special promotions to returning customers or providing incentives such as bonus points or rewards for every purchase.

12. Delivery Scheduling

An online ordering system for catering should also have a delivery scheduling feature. This allows customers to specify the date and time they want their food delivered. It ensures that deliveries are made on time and no orders are missed. It also enables catering restaurants to organize and plan their deliveries more efficiently, ensuring that all orders reach their intended destinations on time.

13. Ability to Upsell 

An online ordering system for catering should have the capability to upsell. This means that customers can be presented with additional items or services when ordering. For example, if customers order an entrée, they could be asked whether they would like to add a side dish or dessert. This is a great way for caterers to increase their revenue while making it easier for customers to make their selections.

14. Menu Customization

An online catering system allows restaurateurs to easily customize their menus by adding new items, editing existing ones, and creating unique packages tailored to customers’ orders. The user experience is also enhanced with options like drag-and-drop templates, which make designing menus easier.

15. Restaurant Reservations

An online ordering system for catering also offers customers the convenience of reserving tables at their favorite restaurants. This feature allows customers to easily make reservations for larger events or celebrations, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their meal together in one place. The system also helps reduce the stress of finding a restaurant with available restaurant seating on short notice, allowing customers to book ahead and ensure everything is taken care of before their big event.

16. Integration With Restaurant Technology

An effective catering online ordering system should be able to integrate with existing restaurant technology, such as POS systems, payment processors, and restaurant inventory management software. This helps ensure all customer order data are accurately relayed between the different systems, eliminating unnecessary delays and errors. Integrating with restaurant technology also enables restaurants to easily keep track of customer orders and access customer data for marketing purposes.

17. Omni-Channel Ordering

An online ordering system for catering should allow customers to order through multiple channels (web, mobile app, call center, etc.). This way, customers can place orders anytime and from anywhere. Furthermore, an omnichannel ordering system helps build customer loyalty by providing great convenience and flexibility.

18. Order Management

This feature allows the catering business to manage orders placed by customers easily. It includes features such as tracking orders, managing order details and payment information, creating invoices, updating customer data, and sending automated emails or text messages when an order has been placed or updated. This ensures that all customer interactions are organized and streamlined for maximum efficiency.

To sum up, an online ordering system for catering should have a comprehensive suite of features that cater to the unique needs of your business. From automated menus and payment processing to reporting and analytics, these features can help streamline operations and improve customer satisfaction, ultimately driving business growth for your catering business.

Frequently Asked Questions About Catering Online Ordering System

Here are some frequently asked questions about catering online ordering systems to help you understand more about this convenient and efficient way to manage your orders online.

What Is an Online Ordering System Called?

An online ordering system is also known as an eCommerce or an electronic commerce system. This system allows businesses to manage and process online orders placed through their websites and other online marketplaces. An online ordering system typically includes a customer-facing interface, such as a website or mobile app, and an administrative backend to manage customers, inventory, orders, pricing, taxes, and other business processes.

What Software Do Restaurants Use to Take Orders?

Restaurants use a variety of programs to take orders, including:

• Point-of-Sale (POS systems)
• Restaurant management software
• Mobile apps/ mobile ordering system
• Web-based ordering system
• Self ordering kiosk
• Google food ordering platform
• Voice ordering system

What Are the Objectives of an Online Ordering System?

The objectives of an online ordering system are to provide a streamlined and convenient way for customers to place orders over the internet and for store owners to manage those orders. An online ordering system allows customers to quickly and easily select items, add them to their cart, enter payment information, and submit their orders. For store owners, an online ordering system provides a way to track orders and manage inventory more efficiently. 

Why Is Ordering Food Online So Popular?

One of the main reasons why ordering food online is so popular is because of the convenience it offers. People don’t need to worry about finding a restaurant, waiting in long lines, or dealing with the hassle of ordering over the phone. Instead, they can browse menus, order what they want, and have a delicious meal delivered to their doorstep. 

How Do Restaurants Manage Online Orders?

Many restaurants are turning to technology-driven solutions to manage online orders. This often involves leveraging digital ordering platforms, payment processing systems, and delivery services like Uber Eats or DoorDash. These solutions allow restaurants to accept orders, process payments easily, and manage deliveries much more efficiently than the traditional methods of taking phone calls or manually preparing meals for pick-up.

Ready to take your catering business to the next level with an online ordering system? Contact our team of specialists today to learn more about how we can help you find the perfect solution for your business. 

Don't miss out on the many benefits an online ordering system can offer - Book a FREE Demo now to get started.