Meaning of Online Ordering System
An online ordering system allows customers to order from your retail store via your website or app. They can choose delivery or pickup options. Apart from these basic features, online ordering systems help you capture valuable customer data. This way, you can know who your customers are and make informed decisions about what you can do to improve sales and loyalty.
Implementing an online ordering system is one of the best ways to turn your website into a customer acquisition channel. Set up your own online website so that you can start selling online. It then launches a new channel to serve new and returning customers. Online ordering systems can be used as an alternative when your in- store POS system isn’t working. If the POS system in the store is slow and inefficient, an online ordering platform is a great alternative.
Article Content-
- Importance of Online Ordering Systems
- How does an online ordering system work?
- Drawbacks of Traditional Ordering Systems
- Benefits of Online Ordering Systems
- How SWIL software will help you transform to online ordering system
- Wrapping Up
Importance of Online Ordering Systems
Four out of five retail shops are losing out of profits. This is due to insufficient sales and performance. For any retail business, gaining orders is the most important part. Smooth processing of orders is an aspect of business that decides whether businesses win or lose. Many retail businesses are struggling due to age- old technologies and processes. It has become extremely difficult for them to recover from the losses they are bearing due to the same.
These retailers continue to use old- school processes such as taking orders on call, which ends up taking a lot of time and effort. This leads to unhappy customers. There are tons of options available for customers today to fulfill their requirements with a simple click of the button. Unsatisfied customers will simply shift to the next best retailer. As a retailer, you need to upgrade to robust online ordering systems to ensure you don’t miss out on any valuable sales.
How does an online ordering system work?
Online ordering systems are simple and straightforward. The ordering process is easy and can be done in the following steps:
- Customers browse your retail store catalog on your website or app. They can choose the click and collect option or home delivery option as per their preference.
- They add the products to their card. Additionally, they can also add any special instructions or requirements.
- They do the payment for their order through the payment gateway. Payment can be done via debit/credit cards, UPI, Cash on Delivery (COD), bank transfers and more.
- Once the payment is securely processed, they will receive an order confirmation and tracking ID.
- Your customer’s order is then delivered to their home or picked up at the specific time and date.
Drawbacks of Traditional Ordering Systems
1. Labour- intensive inefficient processes
Statistics suggest practicing age- old business practices, such as taking orders on call, cannot serve more than 27 orders a day. Due to the labour- intensive nature of the process, employees are unable to process orders in bulk. These are processes that waste precious hours and sales. This time could have been spent satisfying your customers and building your brand image.
2. Inaccurate work
Due to manual systems, several man- made errors are caused while completing tasks. These include incorrect product details, inputting wrong products, wrong variants, improper customer details such as mobile number, email id and delivery address. This leads to frustration among customers as well as employees. Customers will tend to migrate to other stores with better customer service.
3. Customer dissatisfaction
Manual work systems will leave customers clueless about their order status and expected time of delivery. When customers are confused, they will be forced to contact the store repeatedly. This will ultimately lead to angry and frustrated customers, in turn, leading to customer dissatisfaction. You will lose valuable customers and sales.
4. Loss of revenue
Due to increased customer dissatisfaction, your retail store loses out on valuable sales. Lost sales will lead to revenue loss. This will affect the company’s overall business goals and other negative outcomes. An efficient online ordering system will make sure you avoid all of the above.
Benefits of Online Ordering Systems
1. Safety
Due to still- existing COVID cases, retail shops must ensure that they follow health and safety regulations.Online ordering leads to less store traffic, ensuring the safety and health of customers and employees are not threatened. You don’t have to worry about stressful management of social distancing. Having an online ordering system also means that you have opened your doors for new customers.
2. Less manual errors
Due to systematic and sophisticated systems, work processes become accurate and there’s less room for manual errors. Employees don’t have to put a lot of time on doing unnecessary repetitive tasks such as billing, manual entry of customer details and much more. Instead they can focus on better tasks such as improving customer satisfaction. This will lead to increased efficiency and productivity.
3. Increase in customers
Online ordering and payment systems are becoming widely expected and accepted now. If your payment and order systems are hassle- free, your current customers will recommend you to their friends and colleagues. They will also spread it among their followers on social media such as Instagram and Facebook. This will lead to an increase in customers and customer loyalty.
4. Increase in customer loyalty
Customers will get retained provided you give them a reason for retention. You need to provide them a reason for returning back to you for their needs. You can do so by providing discounts, special offers, free delivery, reward points and much more. Customers need to be given a personalized digital experience. It is a great way to ensure they come back to you every time. You can send them customized offers. Also, you can request them to provide reviews, ratings and feedback for your process improvement.
5. Flexible customization
Websites and apps are highly customizable. You can promote your logo, brand name and other features that will make your business look unique. You can also add or delete items from your catalog. Alter discounts and offers as per seasons and festivals. You can make any minor or major changes to your website with just a simple click.
6. Reduction in costs
An ordering system for small businesses is much cheaper because it’s completely digital. There are no unnecessary costs involved in the process. The only cost that is involved is a small processing fee on transactions.
How SWIL software will help you transform to online ordering system
An online ordering system acts as a one- stop solution for your customers to place online orders. It will help you beat your competition and amp up your retail game. Tons of businesses have automated their old- fashioned and manual processes by adopting robust online ordering systems. Accept automation today without any further delay by opting SWIL software for an online ordering system for your retail business. Visit our website by visiting our website today!
Wrapping Up
Tons of businesses have automated their outdated and manual ordering processes in today’s world. It’s time for you to embrace modern technology for the transformation of your retail business. Online ordering systems will help your retail business reach new heights and gain more sales. Transform your business today by reaching out to the best retail technology provider!
