Almost every industry, including restaurants, has been affected by the pandemic. Even now, as things begin to normalize, social distance and preventive measures have caused eateries to limit the number of people allowed inside.
As a result, most restaurants have begun to provide online delivery services in order to better serve their clients and maintain their operations. Furthermore, several restaurants used third-party delivery platforms to serve food to their consumers.
While it may appear to be a convenient solution, it is not beneficial to your accounts book in the short or long run. On average, third-party delivery platforms charge 15-30% fee on each order.
4 Major Problems of Third-Party Delivery Platforms
While there are other drawbacks to third-party systems for restaurants, we will concentrate on the four most significant issues:
Handling Orders Nightmare
The manner in which you accept online orders varies greatly based on the platform with which you've connected. Some employ custom-made tablets to notify you of new orders, while others use emails.
Delivery agents lack the necessary training to properly manage orders. They also want to make as many deliveries as possible in as little time as possible, which increases the possibility of orders being mishandled.
Huge Transaction Fees
As previously stated, the average commission rate for third-party food delivery apps runs from 15% to 30%, which is deducted from the profit. But it isn't the only charge you'll have to pay.
You'll be charged transaction fees for every order you place with an online payment method (1-2 percent ). You'll also have to pay tax on the commission they charge you.
Because internet order isn't going away anytime soon, restaurants need a low-cost method of reaching out to their customers. You won't have to worry about splitting your income every month if you use a first-party online ordering system like Eatance.
Customers Don’t Engage With the Restaurant’s Brand
The most significant disadvantage of third-party distribution platforms is this. When someone orders from your restaurant using their app, they become a customer of the app rather than yours. They pay through the app, and the food is delivered by a platform employee.
The Reputation Problem
We've already discussed how third-party food delivery apps place the burden for order spoiling on restaurants (even if it's their driver's fault). Other times, you'll be blamed for things like:
The delivery has been delayed.
Due to the late arrival, the food becomes cold.
The incorrect order was delivered.
Your brand's reputation will suffer as a result. You could potentially lose one star or face social media outrage. Even a few unfavorable reviews can have a big influence on a small restaurant's bottom line.
Solution: Use a First-party Delivery Platform
The fees involved with third-party delivery services aren't worth it for most establishments.
You must, however, provide this service because consumers are increasingly accustomed to ordering food online, paying for it online, and receiving it at their doorstep.
Also, rather than using third-party delivery services, they prefer to do it straight from eateries.
This necessitates the creation of your own online ordering system. The following are some of the primary advantages of using a restaurant ordering system:
It eliminates the need to go between emails or platforms to manage orders.
The risk of getting the order wrong is reduced because everything is in a consistent format.
It gives you comprehensive access to consumer information, which you may use to design customized loyalty marketing.
You may personalize your menu and other branding components to provide your consumers with the greatest possible experience.
So, how do you go about making your own meal delivery app? Eatance is the answer.
Eatance is one of the most popular online ordering solutions for restaurants, allowing them to accept and handle orders online.
Why Eatance Will Be Your Best Investment?
Eatance should be your first choice when seeking the best restaurant ordering system. For free, Eatance creates a mobile-first, responsive website for your restaurant. Your website will be completely under your control (even branding).
Upgrade to Eatance Single Restaurant Pro if you want a mobile app for your restaurant. You'll get a mobile app (for customers and admins), live order tracking, popular item management, delivery zone administration, promotions, category, and add-on management, among other things.
Eatance's powerful analytical dashboard gives you crucial information about your restaurant's performance. You can, for example, check the most common order times, the most popular things, monitor reviews, and know where your consumers are.
Eatance also provides implementation assistance and business advice to help you get the most out of your investment.
We have experts on hand to assist you with branding and promoting your restaurant.
Click here to read more.