The NetWaiter Management Console captures and tracks information about your online customers.  You can also use it to send out email campaigns.  As you know, however, not all emails get opened.  It's all about the subject line.  These tips will help your emails get opened more often.

1. Exclusivity - Your customers like to be called VIPs, get invitations, and sent limited time offers.  These are words that make them act.

2. Don't Shout - Capital letters on the web signify that you are SHOUTING AT PEOPLE.  Also, too many words in upper case tend to get flagged by Spam filters.

3. Avoid Problem Words - Stay away from the words free, help, percent off and reminder in your email title.  They negatively affect open rates.

4. Go Negative – As sad as it sounds, titles with negative words have higher open rates.  Use words and phrases like worst, absolutely wrong, and no fewer.  Sample: Don't wait in line, order online at (your restaurant).

5. People Don't Like to Read - Don't say in a paragraph what you can say in a bullet point.  Bullets are more likely to get read.

6. Keep It Short - 27% of emails are opened on mobile devices, and even short messages look long on those smaller screens.  Keep the subject line to a few words. 

With any takeout or delivery order, it’s important not only to get the order processed efficiently and accurately, but to also guard against committing the errors that irritate customers most often. 

 Last month, QSR Magazine published an article about a study on takeout trends done by Techther. Among other things, it noted some of the biggest pet peeves consumers harbor when it comes to takeout:

•    Leaking food or liquids (52%)
•    Deterioration of food taste or freshness (49%)
•    Food that doesn't stay hot or cold (46%)  
•    Missing condiments (46%)

Another interesting piece of information: "About 60 percent of consumers also say that they are willing to pay more for takeout packaging made with sustainable materials. Trends toward sustainable, recyclable materials for takeout containers are taking shape at several major restaurant brands."

As you operate your takeout and/or delivery business, consider the above findings.  NetWaiter is all about providing your customers the most convenient and enjoyable way to order.  As long as you give the customer what they want, they are happy to pay for it.  Make sure a customer’s online takeout experience is finished nicely by avoiding these costly errors.