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Table of Contents
Introduction
Did you know that 60% of digital food orders worldwide are placed through mobile apps? This means that the majority of orders received on platforms like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Deliveroo are placed through an app, rather than on the website or via phone calls. It’s a clear-cut indication that not having a dedicated food ordering app increases the likelihood of handing over your valuable and loyal customers to competitors.
Even after offering a marvellous dining experience, lip smacking food, and top notch service, customers will slip through your hands merely because of your lack of online presence. Therefore, owning a food ordering app has become a necessity as basic as everyday supplies for home.
But what about those disturbing and unsettling thoughts?
1. I have zero coding knowledge.
2. Hiring developers will require a fortune.
3. What if I choose the wrong platform?
4. I doubt if customers will actually use my app.
Building your own food ordering app sounds complicated and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. This guide will give you a clear path to accomplish it, because every restaurant deserves a direct connection with its customers.
Step 1: Get clear on what you actually need
Before rushing into building your white label food ordering app, take a moment and answer these simple yet important questions.
1. Do you want an app only for your restaurant, or do you want to build a marketplace where many restaurants can unite?
It’s because the app would be simpler and more affordable to launch, while a marketplace needs more features and planning, but is likely to give you more earning potential if a complex setup is executed accurately.
2. Will you deliver the food yourself with your drivers, or will you shake hands with delivery partners?
Delivering it yourself will offer more control and probably minimize cost, while third-party delivery services lighten time and effort so you can devote yourself to cooking and customer experience.
3. Do you only want a mobile app or a website as well?
A mobile app will be terrific for customers, as they can easily place an order, whereas a website contributes by reaching a wider audience and is easily discoverable on Google and social media.
Additionally, it is extremely important for businesses to have their target market figured out at the earliest. Through this, they know the market needs and behavior and hence can curate features in their app that are user-friendly and appeals to their market the most.
When you answer these questions, you’ll know exactly what kind of food ordering app to create and what features you genuinely need.
Step 2: Pick the Right Food Ordering App Builder
Try to pick a platform that already has ready made restaurant templates, so you don’t have to start from scratch. This easily cuts out time required for design and setup work.
The right food ordering app builder should be affordable, easy to use, and able to grow with your business. It should also offer robust tech support because that is something you would require as a business owner, quite frequently.
Features to Look for in a Good Restaurant And Food Delivery App Builder
1. Drag-and-drop setup where you can click, drag, and place elements (like buttons, images, and menus) wherever you want without any technical knowledge.
2. Live order tracking so customers can track the status of their order, which will probably reduce support calls and improve the customer experience.
3. Multiple payment options by integrating with UPI, credit cards, debit cards, and wallets like PayPal, so customers can pay instantly and securely. This not only boosts sales but also eliminates the headache of managing cash.
4. Built-in delivery tools to assign drivers, manage delivery areas, and track delivery times to avoid delays and deliver faster.
In short, a robust and futuristic restaurant delivery app builder makes business management and deliveries extremely convenient for business owners.
Step 3: Add Your Menu and Set Up the Backend
Your menu will be the first impression to your customers, and you have to make an effort to make it last.
1. Upload mouth-watering photos of food to grab attention because, as they say, people eat with their eyes first.
2. Give your dishes catchy names as well as appealing descriptions that make people want to try them, which makes your menu memorable.
3. Set your prices, combo offers, taxes, and delivery charges clearly to stay transparent and profitable, so you have absolute control over your earnings.
Most food delivery software solutions come with a simple dashboard where you can:
1. See new orders live when they are placed to get alert notifications, which encourages smooth kitchen workflow and delivery without delay.
2. Make instant changes to the menu to withdraw out-of-stock items, which keeps the menu fresh and up-to-date and avoids cancellations and unnecessary stress.
3. Adjust working hours easily according to your schedule and turn the app on/off for lunch, dinner, or weekends, suitable for your convenience.
By completing this setup, you are on the verge of creating a food delivery app that works smoothly and serves your customers directly.
Step 4: Customise your brand look
When customers open your white label delivery app, they should feel like the order is arriving from your restaurant. Your offline authenticity should reflect in your app.
1. Add your official logo so customers instantly recognise that they are ordering from the brand they trust.
2. Pick your brand colours that resemble your restaurant and packaging to look familiar, because colours carry emotion and identity, which build a consistent brand experience and online presence.
3. Set up friendly notifications about the status of the order to make the customer experience transparent and reassuring.
This step is not just about design, it's about building a brand experience that feels reliable and personal.
Step 5: Launch, test, and promote your app
This might be your favourite step, but don’t lose consciousness while declaring the good news. Keep a keen eye on customer reviews and feedback, and especially ask upfront what could be done better; this will create a better experience over time.
Test your app on different phones and devices to bring out any hidden issues and to make sure it works smoothly. Place dummy orders to see if the order process is simple and clear. Look for any mistakes in the menu, prices, delivery times, etc. And promote it with confidence. Share it on social media and send emails to let your existing customers know they can now order directly from you. We know word of mouth can do wonders, and that word spreads really fast when food is involved.
Wrapping up
To compete online by making your own branded food ordering app and keeping your offline authenticity alive is a challenging but interesting pursuit. So don’t wait for the perfect moment, start small, and let it become big enough for customers and stakeholders to notice.
It’s good to learn from big players in the market, but don’t imitate them. Even better is to get into the food delivery industry immediately as it promises hope and gains for businesses in the future.
