In a recent survey by the National Restaurant Association, more than half of the individuals who have not used online ordering say they prefer dealing directly with people.  The good news: you know their objection, and now you can address it.

Here are some tips to make the online ordering experience more personal:

•    Encourage employees to address customers by name when they pick up their order or during a delivery.  Their name is already included with their order information.  Try to connect with them as personably as possible - treat them like a customer, rather than an order number.

•    During a pickup or delivery, employees can also acknowledge special requests – “Your dressing is on the side, just like you requested.”

•    Periodically, at the beginning of the day, have a manger contact a customer that had a large takeout order the night before.  Inquire about their experience and how they enjoyed their food.  Whether by email or phone, you may learn some valuable information.  At the same time, customers will be pleasantly surprised that you contacted them to check on their experience.

What impresses customers is the unexpected.  All you need is a few delighted customers to post something nice online and to tell their friends.  It’s only a matter of time before the customers that prefer to deal directly with people realize it’s time to start ordering online.

Research from the National Restaurant Association indicates that technology, including restaurant online ordering, is playing a larger role in how restaurants attract more customers.

A quick look at some of the information reveals that:

•    36% of customers say they are more likely to use technology options in restaurants than they were two years ago.
•    65% have noticed that restaurants offer more of these options.
•    8 in 10 consumers agree that restaurant technology enhances convenience.
•    7 in 10 say it speeds up service and increases order accuracy.
•    About one-third say that technology options compel them to choose one restaurant over another.
•    About one-third also say that technology options cause them to order takeout and delivery more often.

And interestingly enough,  
•    45% say that technology makes interacting with restaurants more fun.