Having the right tools is only part of the battle when it comes to growing online orders. If your restaurant offers online ordering, you also need to build a strong digital presence and optimize your sales funnel—from menu design to checkout flow.

With consumer expectations higher than ever, restaurants that fine-tune their online experience will see higher order values, increased repeat customers, and better profitability. In this article, we’ll break down key strategies to boost online sales and create a seamless ordering experience for your customers.

1. Branding: Make Your Online Menu Feel Like Your Restaurant

Your online menu should be an extension of your restaurant’s brand. It should evoke the same emotions customers feel when they walk through your doors.

• Use consistent fonts, colors, and language.

• Ensure dish descriptions align with your in-person experience.

• If your restaurant has a personality—whether fun, sophisticated, or family-friendly—let that come through in your online presence.

A cohesive brand experience creates trust and encourages more online orders.

2. Menu Organization: Guide Your Customers to the Right Choices

Even the best-looking menu won’t convert if it’s difficult to navigate. Your menu should be easy to browse on any device, from desktops to smartphones.

• Highlight high-value items at the top of each section.

• Group dishes into logical categories (e.g., “Tacos,” “Mains,” “Family Meals”).

• Use modifier options to encourage add-ons like extra protein, premium toppings, or sides.

A well-structured menu increases average order value (AOV) and improves the customer experience.

3. Use High-Quality Pictures to Increase Sales

Unlike in-store menus, online menus need great visuals. Studies show that adding high-quality images can increase online sales by up to 50%.

• Prioritize professional food photography for your best-selling or high-margin dishes.

• Avoid poor-quality images—bad lighting or unappetizing angles can hurt sales.

• Feature action shots (like tacos being assembled or sauce drizzled) to create appetite appeal.

A well-photographed menu entices customers and drives more orders.

4. Highlight Specials & Dietary Options

If your restaurant offers seasonal specials, limited-time items, or daily chef’s picks, showcase them prominently.

• Feature rotating specials at the top of the menu.

• Label dishes with dietary indicators (V for vegetarian, GF for gluten-free, etc.).

• Use banners or pop-ups to highlight new or popular items.

This not only increases urgency and excitement but also helps customers make faster decisions.

5. Leverage Promotions & Holiday Menus

People love to order in for special occasions. Make the most of seasonal trends by offering:

• Holiday-themed meal bundles (Thanksgiving feasts, Valentine’s date-night kits).

• Discounts on large catering orders for office parties or family gatherings.

• BOGO (Buy-One-Get-One) or free delivery deals for first-time customers.

Special promotions can drive more traffic to your restaurant and build brand loyalty.

6. Ensure Your Menu Works for Delivery

Not every dish is suited for takeout. To prevent customer complaints and maintain food quality, consider:

• Avoiding dishes that don’t travel well, like delicate seafood or soufflés.

• Ensuring that meals are either easy to prep on the spot (grilled, sautéed) or can be prepped in advance and reheated.

• Using proper packaging to maintain food temperature and presentation.

A carefully curated delivery-friendly menu prevents bad experiences and negative reviews.

7. Keep Evolving: Update & Optimize Your Menu

Your online menu shouldn’t be static. Keep refining it based on customer behavior and sales performance.

• Track which items sell best and remove underperforming ones.

• Adjust pricing to ensure healthy profit margins on delivery orders.

• Experiment with new dishes based on customer demand and trends.

A dynamic, data-driven menu will keep your online ordering platform fresh and profitable.

8. Reduce Steps to Checkout: Make Ordering Effortless

Every extra step in the checkout process increases the risk of cart abandonment. To optimize conversions:

• Enable guest checkout (34% of customers abandon orders if forced to create an account).

• Simplify the ordering flow to 3-4 steps max.

• Offer multiple payment options, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and digital wallets.

A frictionless checkout reduces drop-offs and boosts completed orders.

9. Test Your Own Ordering Experience

Before launching your online menu, place an order yourself as if you were a customer.

• Is the menu easy to navigate?

• Are there any confusing steps?

• Do the images and descriptions make dishes appealing?

• Are there any unnecessary clicks before checkout?

Ask friends, staff, or regular customers to test it too. Small refinements can make a big difference in the final user experience.

Final Thoughts

In 2025, online ordering is no longer just a convenience—it’s a necessity for restaurant success. While having the right tools helps, the key to growing online sales is crafting an experience that’s seamless, branded, and optimized for customer behavior.

Done right, your online menu will:

✅ Increase average order value (AOV)

✅ Encourage repeat customers

✅ Improve profitability

With platforms like Fonda, restaurants can build an online presence that works, streamline the ordering process, and keep customers coming back for more.

Ready to elevate your restaurant’s digital presence? Let’s make it happen. 🚀