How To Set Up An Online Ordering System For Your Restaurant

Most customers expect restaurants to offer online ordering. Connecting online orders to your POS system can help staff manage tickets, reduce manual entry, and keep the kitchen organized.

Here’s how to set up online ordering through your POS system, plus our top picks for restaurant POS systems with built-in online ordering.

How To Set Up Online Ordering For Your Restaurant

Most restaurant POS systems guide you through setup. In general, you’ll need to create an online menu, choose pickup and delivery options, customize your ordering site, and route orders to your POS and kitchen.

Create Your Online Menu

Choose which items to offer online, then add prices, modifiers, special-request options, prep times, and item availability.

You can also create separate catering, seasonal, or limited-time menus.

Set Up Pickup & Delivery

Choose your ordering hours, minimum order amounts, advance-ordering options, service area, fees, and order limits.

You can fulfill deliveries with your own drivers, use on-demand delivery through your POS provider, or connect services such as DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Customize Your Ordering Site

Add your restaurant’s branding, hours, locations, menu, pickup instructions, and contact information.

Depending on your POS plan, you may also be able to add loyalty signups, gift cards, featured items, catering requests, and marketing forms.

Route Orders To Your POS & Kitchen

Configure online orders to appear on your POS, print automatically, or route directly to a kitchen display system.

Set notifications, preparation times, order statuses, and staff access so employees can track each order from receipt through pickup or delivery.

Connect Other Ordering Channels

You may be able to connect third-party delivery apps directly to your POS or use an order aggregator to combine orders from multiple platforms.

Also add your ordering link to your Google Business Profile, website, and social media pages so customers can find it easily.

What To Look For In An Online Ordering System

When comparing online ordering systems, focus on total cost, order management, marketing tools, and inventory features.

Pricing

Compare monthly fees, per-order charges, and commissions. Flat monthly or per-order pricing may be more predictable than percentage-based fees.

Encourage customers to order directly through your website when possible to reduce third-party marketplace fees.

Takeout & Delivery Management

Look for a system that sends online and third-party delivery orders directly to your POS and kitchen.

Restaurants using multiple delivery apps may benefit from built-in integrations or an order aggregator that combines tickets in one place.

Marketing Tools

Useful features include loyalty programs, gift cards, email and text marketing, coupons, and targeted promotions.

These tools can help drive direct orders and encourage repeat business.

Inventory Management

Choose a system that updates inventory across all ordering channels and automatically removes unavailable items or modifiers.

Staff should also be able to quickly mark items as unavailable from the POS or kitchen display system.

The Bottom Line On Restaurant Online Ordering

Online ordering can help restaurants reach more customers and make pickup and delivery more convenient. Choose a system that fits your budget, connects with your POS and kitchen, and supports the ordering channels you use.