To optimize the value of our online orders I knew we needed to get smart about suggesting extra goodies they might like. I spent some time identifying appropriate opportunities to do that with our menu and this is what I did it.
🤣 “I designed our online menu like a temptation architect, strategically placing irresistible add-ons and complementary dishes that enticed diners to indulge just a bit more.” Quote of the day
Getting the Hang of Upselling and Cross-Selling
First, I had to wrap my head around what upselling and cross-selling actually meant.
Upselling is about nudging customers to go for something a bit more pricey or fancy than what they initially picked, like choosing a bigger meal size or a special version of a dish.
Cross-selling, on the other hand, is like saying, “Hey, why not grab some garlic bread with your pizza?” It’s about suggesting things that go well with what they’re already getting.
My Go-To Strategies
Making It Personal
I started paying more attention to what our regulars liked and used that info to suggest other stuff they might enjoy. If someone always orders a certain dish, we’d suggest they try a premium version next time.
Picking the Right Moment
The best time to suggest an upsell or cross-sell is right after someone adds a dish to their cart or when they’re about to check out. We’ve all experienced it, “Wanna add fries to that?”, so I did the same with my online menu which increased our average order value.
I also included upsell and cross-sell options in the occasional newsletter I emailed out customers. I wasn’t pushy about it, but I found that occasional email marketing helped our business grow.
Time-Sensitive Deals
I introduced deals that were too good to pass up but only available for a limited time. Some options I offered were a discount on adding a dessert or a special price on combo meals for a night.
A Picture Says a Thousand Words
We upgraded our dish photos and added tempting descriptions for everything we suggested adding to an order. People are more likely to go for a slice of cheesecake if they can almost taste it through the screen.
Bundle It Up
I started bundling items together at a slightly cheaper rate than if they were bought separately. This not only bumped up our sales but also got people trying dishes they wouldn’t normally order.
Listening and Tweaking
Finally, I listened to what our customers had to say about our suggestions and tweaked things accordingly. For example, we didn’t provide our own delivery service but customers were asking for delivery options so we added third-party delivery services to our website.
So, there you have it. By getting a bit crafty with our online orders, we managed to bring in more dough (pun intended) and keep our customers smiling. Give it a go. Upselling and cross-selling pay dividends for sure.
Before selecting an online ordering system, read our straightforward guide. It will assist you in evaluating online ordering systems so you can choose a system that suits your restaurant.
