Pillar guide
Restaurant Online Ordering
A complete guide to restaurant online ordering: what it is, how it works, and how to grow direct orders.
Quick answer
Restaurant online ordering lets guests place pickup or delivery orders directly from your restaurant website or other channels instead of third party apps.
You control the menu, pricing, customer data, and the ordering experience. Customers order direct and you keep more of each sale.
Key benefits
- Higher margins than marketplaces
- Full customer data ownership
- Consistent brand experience
- Flexible pickup and delivery options
Step by step
- Pick a direct ordering platform with a branded website.
- Sync your menu and set delivery or pickup rules.
- Promote your direct order link across channels.
- Measure conversion and optimize the checkout flow.
Common questions
How much does online ordering cost for restaurants?
Pricing varies. DirectOrders uses a flat monthly fee with zero commissions so you keep more profit compared to marketplaces.
Do customers prefer ordering direct?
Yes, most customers prefer direct ordering when prices are transparent and there are no surprise fees at checkout.
How fast can I launch online ordering?
Most restaurants can launch in 24 to 48 hours with a full menu and checkout flow.