This article was published on the Eleftheros Typos site on Tuesday 22/07/2025
The main goal for every restaurant offering delivery services is to increase orders and keep them at a high level. Creating a website for online orders can make a decisive contribution in this direction, acting as a powerful promotional and customer service tool.
The disadvantages of exclusive phone ordering
Several catering businesses still rely exclusively on telephone orders today. This practice has significant disadvantages. The modern consumer is now familiar with the online experience and expects every shop to offer the possibility of online ordering. Shops that do not provide this option are losing a large percentage of the consumer base. In addition, managing telephone calls requires at least one employee to be dedicated to this process, and during peak periods even the telephone lines may be insufficient, resulting in lost orders due to waiting times. In addition, errors occurring when recording orders are frequent, which affects the quality of service and customer confidence.
The disadvantages of exclusive presence on online delivery platforms
On the other hand, the exclusive presence on online delivery platforms, although offering a digital outlet, also has serious limitations. Businesses pay high commissions for each order, and competition within the platforms is enormous, as users have access to dozens of other shops with similar products. Moreover, the platforms’ terms of use and policies are not determined by the shop itself, which is often obliged to participate in offers that do not favour it. When delivery is carried out by platform partners, delays occur which damage the store’s image. Revenue from online payments is usually late, and various additional charges increase the final cost to the customer. There is also a risk of disruption, such as the closure, sale or renaming of the platform, which can directly affect businesses that rely solely on it. The ability to present products is limited and search engine visibility, in terms of SEO, is almost non-existent.
The role and importance of creating a website for the store
For all these reasons, it is necessary for every catering establishment offering delivery to have its own website. A modern, functional website helps to highlight the products, offering the customer the possibility to choose his favourite dishes with comfort and ease, avoiding the inconvenience of telephone communication. Through a user-friendly interface, visitors can view detailed descriptions, images and prices, utilize discount codes and easily subscribe to the store’s newsletter.
The website offers complete flexibility in creating offers and setting prices, while the revenue from online payments is transferred directly to the store’s bank account, without any intermediaries. At the same time, multiple pick-up and payment options are available, depending on the customer’s needs, whether they wish to pick up from the store or have it shipped to their home. Through the website, the store can communicate directly with its audience, presenting new products, announcements or blog articles.
The big advantage is the increase of the store’s visibility on the internet. A properly structured website can boost its Google Business Profile presence, support campaigns through Google Ads and appear high in organic search results for many keywords, thanks to a well-planned SEO strategy. The store can develop its own affiliate program, which, with the right choice of partners, can significantly increase orders. In addition, spreading the website URL across all available channels, such as social media, newsletters and advertising campaigns, facilitates targeted visibility. As website traffic increases, the number of orders increases, as long as the store offers quality products, good prices, excellent service and adheres to high hygiene standards, of course.
Keeping orders at high levels is equally important
It is not enough, however, just to increase orders. It is just as important to keep them at a high level. In order to achieve this, a company must adopt stable and consistent promotional practices, either through organic reach or with the help of paid advertising. Inaction at this level can lead to a drop in visibility and, consequently, a reduction in orders. The creation of attractive offers and the use of discount codes, which can be distributed through the company’s communication channels or its affiliate network, work positively in both attracting and retaining customers.
To sum up, the existence of a website for catering outlets with delivery services is no longer a luxury, but an essential tool for growth, diversification and stable performance in a highly competitive market.