The best online ordering platform should offer the perfect blend of quality, functionality and convenience for your customers and business. You can save a considerable amount of money by opting for a point of sale system (POS) that features an online ordering system.
The right solution should allow you to manage pricing, online menu, and promotions across all your online channels from a single location. Your preferred online ordering system should also be easy to set up and configure to your specific business needs.
Throughout this guide, you will learn what an online ordering platform is, how it works, and how to choose the best one. It also includes reviews of three of the best POS solutions with an online ordering system.
Online Ordering System Essential Features
You will need an online ordering system that is simple, and conforms to your business needs. To begin with, you should get one that allows for an easy, and straightforward set up. In this regard, the provider should customize the online ordering system to your business with such as business logo and theme.
Here are several other things you need to consider while shopping for the best POS online ordering system:
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Customizable Online Menu
Your preferred system should allow you to personalize the online ordering platform to suit your restaurant needs. For instance, it should make it easy for you to alter the way items are displayed as well as item descriptions and pricing.
Some businesses like Pizzerias have very specific menu requirements, especially when it comes to pizza toppings. The online ordering system you choose should accommodate such requirements. Other customization features you should consider include:
Item Description
With the right POS online ordering system, you will have an easy time adding products, editing product descriptions and changing prices on the online menu. Some of the leading systems also allow you to include an image for every menu item displayed.
For enhanced versatile, get a solution that allows you to include several options for each menu item. This way, your customers can order food the way they like it. For instance, customers will be able to choose whether they want whole or half toppings for their pizzas.
The right system should have a way for customers to make multiple selections, such as multiple checkboxes for the available options. A numeric counter will come in handy as some customers may want to order more than one option, such as extra salad dressing and sources.
Pricing
The system should allow business owners and managers to change prices on the online menu from anywhere. The changes you make to the online menu should be updated immediately. The menu should also allow you to include special offers.
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Multiple Ordering Marketplaces Support
1Get an online ordering system that supports multiple online ordering marketplaces, such as Grubhub, UberEats, and Deliveroo. The system should make it easy for you to publish and edit your online menu across all channels, preferably from a central point.
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Loyalty Features
Give your customers another reason to order online or through the app once again with the appropriate loyalty program. The online ordering system should feature a flexible rewards program for your online customers. It should also allow the customers to check their rewards online in real-time.
The platform should also make it possible for the business owner to engage with the customers, often through targeted data-driven marketing campaigns.
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Seamless Integration
To reach out to more customers, the system should support integrations with the leading online ordering marketplaces. Additionally, it should allow for a seamless integration with your business website and mobile application.
Regardless of the number of online channels, the system should let you change menu item descriptions and pricing centrally and in real-time. According to WisesmallBusiness, the leading POS systems allow you to make such changes through a POS terminal or through an online management portal.
The Best POS Systems with Online Ordering Capabilities
A POS system that features online ordering capabilities will increase your exposure, and reduce operational costs in your business. Creating a new revenue stream for your business is great, but implementing the wrong platform can be costly.
While the platform needs to be simple and easy for the customers to use, it needs to have all the features and capabilities you need. Creating a new revenue stream for your business is great, but implementing the wrong platform can be costly.
To help you make an informed decisions, here are the top three POS systems with Online ordering capabilities:
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The Best POS Online Ordering Platform Overall – Epos Now
Get yourself a takeaway POS that guarantees simplicity, speed, and cost savings—the Epos Now hospitality POS system. It comes with an intuitive, fully-contactless Epos Now Order & Pay mobile ordering platform to support delivery and pickup services of all sizes.
The solution is specifically designed to help restaurant owners boost earnings, reach more customers and simplify service. It features a clean and simple user interface that is comparatively easy to navigate, giving them the best-in-class ordering experience.
It allows customers a quick access to delivery, pickup and ordering services right from your branded profile. To place an order, the customer only needs to type in the relevant URL or scan a QR code. Other aspects that make this online ordering platform stand out include:
Customer Order Management
The solution allows business owners and managers to receive, process and manage online orders right from the Epos Now POS system. It is equipped with all the tools you need to monitor and fulfil all customer online orders as they come in.
The system also makes it easy for you to issue refunds and cancel online orders through the POS system. Such a solution will help boost hygiene standard and offer your customers the convenience they desire.
Customizable Digital Menu
Epos makes it easy for you to set up and customize your online menu with multiple preferences and modifiers. As such, your customers will be able to order for what they want, precisely how they want it. Epos allows for easy editing of item images and descriptions.
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The Best White Label Online Ordering App – Revel System
The Revel POS system comes with an appealing, and customizable online ordering solution that supports various integrations. In addition to diversifying your income streams, this solution is meant to offer your customers the convenience and flexibility they desire.
The solution is suited for restaurant owners looking for a white label ordering label supports integration with current iPad POS system as well as third-party ordering platforms. It allows you to customize your online presence to your specific business requirements and offer a user-friendly experience.
So, what exactly is unique about the Revel Systems online ordering system?
Easily Update Your Menu Offerings
Quickly and simply push menu changes to your online menu displays. Offering limited options for take out? No problem! You’ll be able to ensure your customers are seeing your current menus to manage their expectations and improve their ordering experience. Additionally, they’ll enjoy easy navigation of your offerings with built-in search capabilities for your different menu items.
Enjoy Seamless Omnichannel Integration
Integrate your online ordering platform with your point of sale platform. This will ensure your entire system is connected, reducing order errors and aggregating all your data in a central place. Sync customer relationship management (CRM), gift card data, and loyalty program information. You’ll be able to recognize your loyal customers whenever and wherever they place an order.
What Revel Online Ordering offers:
Build a customized and branded online ordering platform
Integrate your online ordering platform with your POS
Sync CRM, gift cards and loyalty program across platforms
Integrates with third-party partners like Apple Pay and QuickBooks
Square POS: Customizable solution for managing multiple locations
Online ordering platform: Has its own online ordering system, which is integrated into Square
With Square Online you can create a professional website to showcase your menu items online and accept payments with Square. Spend less time setting up your online store and more time focusing on your restaurant.
From here, you’ll have the option of importing your menu items and categories to start creating your Square Online site. You can also create your items and categories from scratch.
Manage Orders Online
Once you set up Square Online for your Square for Restaurants account, you’ll be able to sell online and manage your customer orders directly from the Orders tab of your online Square Dashboard and Square for Restaurants app.
You’ll also have the option to manage your orders from your Square Online Overview page. Learn more about Square Online.
Square Online offers a few fulfillment types: Pickup, Delivery, or Shipping.
What Square Online Store offers:
Build a customizable website
Access to mobile app to check sales, inventory and make edits on the go
Online payment and credit card processing
Integrates with a wide range of eCommerce providers for online payments
Final Verdict
Some of the more popular built-in online food ordering features offer common functions such as: POS integration, customized and branded menus, geo-coded delivery and marketing management.
Epos Now: Connects your online retail shop to your POS
Online ordering platform: Integrates with TableUp Online Ordering
Epos Now is suitable for restaurants that want to connect their online shop with their POS while enabling delivery, pick-up and dine-in.
Epos Now is a cloud-based retail management software for small to midsize businesses. It offers features such as sales reporting, integrated inventory management, customer management and retail accounting. It functions on several different operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Android and iPad
What Epos Now + TableUp offers:
Provide online food ordering through custom apps
Enable options for delivery, pick-up or dine-in
Capture customer data and preferences
Order scheduling, group order management and delivery