It’s not too late to set your sights on the New Year.  It’s also the perfect opportunity to implement online ordering, or, if you’re already using it, evaluate and refine things for 2013.

Here are some considerations:

Developing a Takeout Strategy - Takeout customers are different than other customers.  They look for and expect different things.  Check out our July newsletter article for some information and tips to accommodate this segment.

Mobile Ordering is the New Frontier - According to Restaurant Hospitality, up to 30% of your website traffic comes from mobile devices.  That number will only climb, yet industry reports say that less than 5% of restaurants have a mobile-friendly site.  Check out NetWaiter's advice for being mobile friendly.

Don’t Violate Common Takeout Sins - Online ordering is a great tool for customer convenience and control, but that doesn’t mean your restaurant isn’t screwing up somewhere else in the process.  Do you violate any of the common problems associated with takeout?  Check out this blog post about the most common pet peeves of takeout customers.

With any takeout or delivery order, it’s important not only to get the order processed efficiently and accurately, but to also guard against committing the errors that irritate customers most often. 

 Last month, QSR Magazine published an article about a study on takeout trends done by Techther. Among other things, it noted some of the biggest pet peeves consumers harbor when it comes to takeout:

•    Leaking food or liquids (52%)
•    Deterioration of food taste or freshness (49%)
•    Food that doesn't stay hot or cold (46%)  
•    Missing condiments (46%)

Another interesting piece of information: "About 60 percent of consumers also say that they are willing to pay more for takeout packaging made with sustainable materials. Trends toward sustainable, recyclable materials for takeout containers are taking shape at several major restaurant brands."

As you operate your takeout and/or delivery business, consider the above findings.  NetWaiter is all about providing your customers the most convenient and enjoyable way to order.  As long as you give the customer what they want, they are happy to pay for it.  Make sure a customer’s online takeout experience is finished nicely by avoiding these costly errors.