In this guide, we’ll teach you how to create an online ordering system for your small business.

If you’re looking to take orders online and have full control over your ordering system, delivery, and more – then this guide is for you.

In this guide we’ll cover:

1. What an online ordering system is.
2. What to look for in the online ordering system you pick.
3. The best online ordering system for your small business.
4. How to set up your online ordering system in a few steps.

But first, let’s address what an online ordering system is, so we’re on the same page.

What’s an online ordering system?

You can think of an online ordering system as a digital storefront. It’s a way for customers to buy products or services from a business, all online.

Here’s what you need to know:

• It’s convenient: Customers don’t have to leave their homes. They can browse, add to cart, and check out all on the internet.
• It’s simple: From selecting items to making payment, the process is designed to be straightforward and user-friendly.
• It’s safe: All transactions are secure. Customer data is kept confidential and protected.
• It’s flexible: These systems cater to different businesses. From restaurants to retail shops, any business can have an online presence.

For our purpose, we’re talking about a small business’s online ordering system. The focus here is on features like:

• Order tracking: Customers can track their order status in real-time.
• Custom schedules: Businesses can set their own delivery or pickup times.
• Secure payments: Multiple secure payment options are typically available.
• Easy management: The system simplifies order processing and management for businesses.

In this guide, we’re using Orderable, a WordPress plugin, to set up our online ordering system. It’s a one-stop solution that offers all these features and more.

Plus, with Orderable, the entire setup process is a breeze, and the best part, you have total control over your system and earnings.

What to look for in a good online ordering system

Choosing an online ordering system for your small business is a crucial step. The right system can streamline your processes, boost customer satisfaction, and increase your sales.

Here are the key factors to consider when selecting an online ordering system:

User-friendly interface

The first thing to look for in an online ordering system is a user-friendly interface. Customers love straightforward and easy-to-use platforms.

Therefore, choose a system with a clean, intuitive interface that allows customers to browse products, add items to their cart, and checkout with ease.

Mobile compatibility

With the increasing use of smartphones for mobile ordering, mobile compatibility is non-negotiable.

The food ordering system should provide a seamless experience across various devices, from desktop computers to smartphones and tablets.

Customizability

Every business is unique, and so should its online ordering system. Look for a system that offers customization options to reflect your brand’s identity and cater to your specific needs.

This could mean customizing the product catalog, adjusting delivery zones, or tweaking the design to match your brand aesthetics.

Order management

An online ordering system with efficient order management can greatly improve your business operations. Key features include real-time order tracking, automated order notifications, and integration with your existing POS system.

Custom schedules should also be available so that you can set your own delivery or pickup times.

Multiple payment options

To enhance customer convenience and improve their overall shopping experience, the system should support all popular payment processing methods.

These online payment methods include debit and credit cards, digital wallets, and cash on delivery.

Customer support

No matter how user-friendly and efficient the system is, you’ll likely need assistance at some point. It’s essential to choose a system backed by robust customer support.

Inventory management

A good online ordering system should offer robust inventory management capabilities. It should automatically update the inventory levels as orders are processed, preventing overselling and minimizing stock-outs.

Inventory management tools can also offer insights into your sales trends, helping you forecast demand and manage your stock effectively. An ideal system would also have features for managing multiple locations if your business operates from more than one site.

Custom delivery services

The delivery process plays a key role in customer satisfaction, making it crucial to choose an online ordering system that allows you to customize delivery services according to your business model and customer needs.

For instance, you might want to offer same-day delivery for local orders, scheduled delivery for pre-orders, or free delivery for orders above a certain value.

Furthermore, it would be advantageous if the system allows you to define your delivery zones and calculate delivery charges based on distance or zip codes. If your business model includes in-store pickups or curbside pickups, ensure the system supports these options too.

Cost-effectiveness

Finally, consider the pricing structure. Some systems charge a flat monthly fee, while others take a percentage of your sales. It’s important to analyze the costs and benefits carefully before making a decision.

In the following sections, we will explain why Orderable checks all these boxes and is an excellent choice for your small business. We’ll also provide a step-by-step guide to setting up your online ordering system with Orderable.

The best online ordering system for your small business

Orderable is an all-in-one plugin that’s designed to help your small business create an online ordering system. It takes care of pretty much everything.

So all you have to do is add your products, process orders, and deliver them. It even installs WooCommerce for you.

This includes everything from:

• Easy order management – So you can process orders without fuss. 
• Customizable time slots – So you can set your own delivery/pickup schedule.
• Order notifications – So customers can stay in the loop via SMS, WhatsApp, or email notifications that you automate.
• A modern, app-like ordering design – that you can customize.
• Product add-ons – So you can include additional options for your products.
• Revenue-boosting order bumps – So you can suggest additional products in the cart. 
• Full control over the checkout – including payment methods, tipping, and more. 
• and lots more.

With the online ordering platform Orderable, you have full control over your order management. From holiday scheduling to time slots, maximum orders, and more. 

Plus, Orderable has one more huge benefit – there are no additional fees! Meaning you don’t have to pay a 3rd-party provider 30-40% on each order. 

So now we know what Orderable is, let’s discuss why you should use Orderable as the online ordering system for your small business.

What businesses does Orderable work well with?

Orderable is a flexible and comprehensive online ordering system designed to cater to a variety of businesses, no matter their size or the industry they’re in. However, certain types of businesses can especially benefit from the unique features Orderable offers. Here are a few examples:

Restaurants and cafés: Orderable shines in the food service industry. It allows restaurant businesses, food businesses, and cafés to set up an easy-to-navigate, mobile-friendly online food ordering system. Complete with customizable menus and add-on options.

Customers can choose pickup or food delivery, and businesses can manage orders in real-time, significantly boosting efficiency and customer experience.

Customers can also order right from their tables in-person with QR code ordering. No need for additional online ordering software or an ordering app. All they need is their phone. It’s the perfect restaurant management system.

Bakeries and confectioneries: For businesses that rely heavily on pre-orders, like bakeries and confectioneries, Orderable is a perfect fit. Its customizable time slots feature allows customers to schedule their orders in advance.

It also offers the possibility of incorporating order bumps, encouraging customers to add more products to their cart, increasing revenue.

Grocery stores and florists: Orderable is great for grocery stores looking to offer online shopping. It handles large product catalogs with ease and allows for customization of delivery zones and charges.

Its robust inventory management also ensures that stock levels are automatically updated, preventing overselling of items.

Retail shops: For businesses selling physical goods, such as clothing, books, or electronics, Orderable provides a seamless transition to online sales. It gives full control over product listings and integrates well with existing POS systems (point of sale).

Plus, the mobile-friendly design ensures customers can shop comfortably from any device.

Why use Orderable as the online ordering system for your small business?

As a small business owner, creating your online ordering system shouldn’t have to take long, and it certainly shouldn’t be difficult to set up. Orderable is designed to do the heavy lifting, so once you’re set up – you’re ready to go.

But this isn’t all, Orderable has many benefits. Here are just a few:

Orderable uses WordPress so you know you’re in good hands

Orderable is a WordPress plugin. This means your website can be built using the most reliable content management system out there (WordPress), and have your online ordering system tagged on, using Orderable.

By using Orderable with WordPress, you’ll have the security and freedom to adapt other elements of your site without being locked into one service. Plus, Orderable installs WooCommerce for you, so the ecommerce side of your site is taken care of.

You’ll pay no additional fees

By creating an online ordering system for your small business with Orderable, you won’t have to pay a commission on each transaction. 

A lot of 3rd-party sites charge a hefty commission on your orders. Depending on the business you’re running and your margins, these fees just may not be feasible. 

With Orderable, your profits are yours.

You’ll have control over the ordering experience

By using Orderable and WordPress for your online ordering system, you’ll have so much more control. 

You’ll be able to change the look and feel of your site, customize your schedule, tailor the checkout process, and so much more. 

Making updates is quicker

Because you control everything, making adjustments, adding new items, changing delivery slots, holidays, and more, is so much quicker. 

With a 3rd-party provider, in most cases, you need their approval before changes go live. Sometimes the wait is time you simply don’t have.

We now know the benefits of creating an online ordering system for your small business with Orderable. So let’s get to setting one up!

How to create an online ordering system for your small business

In this section, we’ll outline the steps it takes to create your online ordering system using Orderable. This process is quick to set up and easy to customize to your needs, so let’s get to it.

Note: For the purposes of this guide, we’re presuming you already have a basic WordPress site up and running.

Step one: Install Orderable

The first thing you’ll need to do is install the Orderable plugin on your website.

For the purposes of this guide, we’ll be using the Pro version of Orderable. This is so we can add product addons, revenue-boosting features, tips, and more.

To get Orderable Pro, you can purchase it from the Orderable website:

Once you’ve purchased Orderable Pro, you’ll be sent two plugins. Orderable and Orderable Pro. Let’s get them added to your site.

To add Orderable to your WordPress website, take the following steps:

1. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Plugins > Add new.
2. Click the Upload Plugin button at the top of the page.
3. Then upload the .zip file you were sent containing Orderable. Click Install Now. Then click Activate Plugin on the next page.
4. Repeat the steps for Orderable Pro.

Once done, click on Orderable in your WordPress menu, and you’ll be shown a handy setup screen that will help you get started. 

Step two: Enter your business information

Click the blue Begin button, and Orderable will install WooCommerce for you (if you don’t already have it installed). 

Next, we’ll need to add our business information, opening times, and more.

The next few steps of the setup screen will ask you for your business information, opening times, if you offer delivery or pickup, etc.

Once you’ve filled this out (which should take just a few minutes), you’ll be able to close the setup and get to adding your products.

Step three: Add your products

The next step is adding your products. To do this, take the following steps:

1. From the WordPress dashboard, go to Products > Add New.
2. This page is where you add all your product information. Everything from the price, categories its in, description, images, and more.

3. Once you’re happy with all the information you’ve added, scroll up to the top of the page and click the blue Publish button.

Next, we need to create our product layout. This is what your products will look like together on the shop page of your website.

Step four: Create your product layout

In this step, we’re going to put together a product grid that will display on the front end of your website and allow customers to order from you.

To do this, take the following steps:

1. From your WordPress dashboard, go to Orderable > Layout Builder and click the Add New button at the top of the page. After giving your layout a name, select if you want your layout to display in a Grid or List.
2. If you’ve created categories for your products, you’ll be able to determine what these look like by changing the Sections drop down.
3. Decide if you want images to show and if you want the whole menu item to be clickable or just the button.
4. Once you’re happy with your layout (you’ll be able to see a live preview of what this will look like at the bottom of the page), click Publish.

We’ve created your layout, now we’ll need to add it to a page on your site. 

1. From your WordPress dashboard, hover over Pages and click Add New.
2. This new page will be your shop page. Give it a name (usually Shop) and then click the black + sign to add a block.
3. Once clicked, search ‘Orderable’ in the search area and click the Orderable: Product Layout block.

4. A product grid will then be added to the page editor. Select your layout from the right-hand Layout dropdown and then click Publish.

Now we have your ordering system working for the customer, let’s get it working well for you.

Step five: Customize your schedule

With Orderable, you can adjust your online ordering system to suit you and your schedule. Here are some of the things you can do:

Set up ordering time slots

If you’d like customers to be able to select their own delivery or pickup time and date slots, you can completely customize how these work.

With Orderable, doing this is easy. You can even set cut-off times, maximum orders, and more. To see the full range of what you can accomplish with Orderable’s time slots, check out our Orderable time slots guide.

Manage your orders

Managing your orders effectively is incredibly important when running a small business. For this reason, Orderable has made it a priority to make managing orders a breeze. 

Processing orders with Orderable uses WooCommerce, which means you’ll be getting an ordering system that’s constantly up-to-date and easy to use. Everything from customizing emails, to managing your orders as they come in is simple with WooCommerce and Orderable.

To see how this works, check out our processing and managing orders guide.

Of course, this isn’t all. With Orderable you can create product add-ons, add product labels, include cross-selling, set custom order statuses, add table ordering, tipping and so much more.

Depending on what you want from your online ordering system, Orderable has you covered.

Create your small business online ordering system today

Contrary to popular belief, establishing an online ordering system doesn’t have to be daunting or excessively complicated. It can be a straightforward and manageable process, especially with the right tools in your arsenal.

Orderable, the best online ordering and delivery plugin out there, combined with the power and flexibility of WordPress, makes setting up your online ordering system a breeze. The unique blend of these two platforms can pave the way for a seamless transition from a traditional to a digital business model.

This exceptional ordering and delivery plugin not only simplifies the set-up process but also manages your day-to-day online operations efficiently. Whether it’s organizing your products, managing orders, scheduling deliveries, or handling payments, Orderable has your online store covered.