Online takeaway ordering: does your takeaway need its own ordering website?
Delivery apps are good at being found. Your own ordering website is good at keeping the money and the customer. Here is when it makes sense, what to look for and how to get people to use it.
What a direct ordering website does
Customers choose collection or delivery, pick items from your menu, pay, and the order lands in your kitchen. The difference from an app is that there is no per-order commission to the platform, and you hold the customer details so you can message people who have agreed to hear from you.
Own ordering website or delivery apps?
- Commission: apps take a share of every order; your own site has no per-order platform commission, though card fees may apply
- New customers: apps are better at being found; your own site is best for people who already know you
- Customer details: on your own site you hold them (with the right permissions); on apps you generally do not
- Best for: use apps for discovery, then bring repeat customers to order direct
How online takeaway ordering works, step by step
- The customer opens your website or scans the QR code on your menu or bag
- They choose collection or delivery and add items to their basket
- They pay online, or choose cash if you allow it
- The order prints in real time in your shop
- You make it, and the customer comes back next time without paying a platform commission
If you also take orders by phone, the same orders land in one place. See our guide to call answering and phone order taking.
The honest limits
- An app brings you new customers. A direct site mainly serves people who already know you.
- Customers will not use it unless they know it exists, so it needs promotion.
- You may still pay payment-processing fees on card payments.
So the aim is to use apps for discovery and your own site for repeat orders.
What to look for
- Works well on a phone, because most orders come from phones
- Your own domain and branding
- Delivery area, minimum order and collection times you control
- Orders reach the kitchen reliably, ideally into your EPOS
- An optional offers tick box so you can build a list properly (see our SMS rules guide)
- No long lock-in contract
How to get customers to use it
- Print the link and a QR code on menus, bags, boxes and receipts
- Add the order link to your Google Business Profile and social pages
- Mention it when customers phone, and offer a small direct-order discount
- Text repeat customers who have agreed to hear from you
The Antalya menu in our work examples does exactly this with a direct-order discount and a QR code.
What it costs
Our ordering website is £20 a week, EPOS from £10 a week, or both for £30 a week. The worked example here shows how to work out the saving with your own commission rate, or use the calculator below.
Want to see what direct ordering would save you?
The calculator gives an estimate based on the figures you enter.
Frequently asked questions
How much does online takeaway ordering cost?
Our ordering website is £20 a week, EPOS from £10 a week, or both for £30 a week. Card payment fees may apply, and there is no long lock-in contract.
Do I still need Just Eat or Uber Eats?
Most takeaways keep at least one app for new customers and use direct ordering for repeat customers.
Can customers pay online?
Yes, direct ordering sites normally take card payment online, and some also allow cash on collection or delivery. Payment processing fees may apply.
How long does it take to set up?
It depends on your menu size and branding. Send us your menu and we will tell you what is needed.