What is an online ordering system?

Wondering what is an online ordering system? An online food ordering system is software that allows restaurant businesses to accept and manage orders placed via a website or mobile app.

What is an online ordering system?

An online food ordering system can be defined as software that allows restaurant businesses to accept and manage orders placed over the internet.

Online ordering systems generally consists of 2 main components. First is a website or mobile app for hungry customers to view the restaurant’s dishes and place an online order.

Second is an admin management interface for the restaurants to receive and manage the customer’s orders.

In today’s digital age, these systems are becoming essential for restaurants of all sizes.

They not only make it easier for customers to place orders, but they also help restaurants increase efficiency, reduce mistakes from phone orders, and grow their revenue by making ordering more convenient.

Online ordering system website & app

The customer ordering website or app will generally have several key requirements to function adequately. These requirements are:

• Accessible across all devices from tablets to PCs.
• Easily search the restaurant’s menu and see what is available
• Configure their order type such as delivery or pickup
• Choose when they would like to receive the order
• Make online payments via credit card, bank transfer, etc.
• Stay up to date on the status of the orders they have placed
• View all their past orders and quickly re-order their favourite items

Beyond these essentials, many modern systems also include features such as digital loyalty programs, promotional codes, and integration with delivery services. This makes the website or app not just a place to order food, but also a valuable customer engagement tool that keeps people coming back.

Online ordering system admin management interface

The admin management interface is a crucial part of an online ordering system. It’s responsible for notifying the restaurants of new orders and helping them manage the order fulfilment process. The key requirements of this are:

• Accessible across all devices for easy use in-store and on the move
• Real-time order management interface that allows restaurants to see which orders to prepare
• The ability to have staff accounts to restrict access for staff usage
• Easy to understand settings and configuration options to tune the system
• An array of notification methods to keep the restaurant up to date on new orders

This interface essentially acts as the “control center” of the restaurant’s online business. Staff can quickly see new orders as they come in, prioritize preparation, and ensure customers get accurate updates on their food status.

A strong management interface saves time, reduces errors, and improves the overall customer experience.

Trying the best online food ordering system

What better place to start then this site right here. Cloudwaitress is an all-in-one online ordering system that checks all the above requirements and more. Register for free and start accepting orders today.

Cloudwaitress goes beyond the basics by offering powerful features like delivery zones, scheduled ordering, automated notifications, and detailed reporting to track business performance.

Unlike third-party platforms that charge high commissions, Cloudwaitress allows restaurants to keep their profits while still giving customers the modern, user-friendly ordering experience they expect.

With support for multiple locations and full customization options, it’s a flexible solution that can grow with your business. Now you know what is an online ordering system, it’s time to sign up for Cloudwaitress!