Online Food Delivery Tips To Remember

Even before the new normal started, online food delivery apps have been everybody’s most reliable food provider. Apart from the convenience it brings, these platforms allow everyone to choose meals from its wide variety of partner restaurants in just one tap. Since everything is done online, there’s less physical contact ent, which further protects both customers and the rider. As businesses continue to flourish in the digital space, we’re giving you some tips for a fuss-free experience on getting sumptuous dishes from online platforms to your dining table.

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Use search filters

Online delivery services such as Grab and foodpanda offer various food choices from breakfast to midnight snacks. To efficiently satisfy your cravings, we highly recommend using search filters within its app. These filters range from cuisine, attributes, price range, and even those restaurants with long-distance deliveries, best-sellers, and promos.

Read customer feedback

Applicable to SMEs selling perishable items on websites or social media sites like Instagram and Facebook, customers should also read other customer’s reviews to know if it’s worth spending money. Popular restaurants also have FAQ (frequently asked questions) pages on their websites, which provide information when purchasing their products. This includes the procedures for ordering online, currently available products, delivery options, and modes of payment.

Book your order early

Some online delivery services offer advanced booking of order, which sometimes heavily depends on the product’s availability. This mostly applies to made-to-order dishes and perishable goods that require advance shipment of ingredients. Practicing early booking of meals also helps busy bees to organize their schedule and eat at the right time.

Maximize discount codes and promos

To attract customers, SMEs and big brands in the food and beverage sector develop various marketing strategies. Discounts and promos range from bulk purchases, free delivery fees, discounts on the total bill with a minimum spend, exclusive offers, and more. Some online delivery platforms and restaurants even add PWD and Senior Citizen discount codes. Others have their own reward programs that allow users to redeem additional rewards. Promos and other discount codes are regularly updated on food delivery platforms such as Grab, foodpanda, and LalaFood. These can be availed upon checkout, provided that the customer meets the qualifications of the promos.

Leave instructions and contact the rider

Have you experienced receiving incomplete condiments, utensils, and even items in your order? To avoid this, it is important to indicate special instructions in the notes section before tapping the pay button. You may include landmarks for easier navigation to the drop-off point, additional requests for utensils, condiments, seasoning, and even spare change for those who still prefer to pay in cash. Customers also have the option to turn on contactless delivery, allowing riders to leave the meals right on your doorstep to lessen physical contact.

Know different cashless payment option

Online delivery services have integrated an array of cashless payments into their platforms. Usually, partner restaurants accept credit and debit cards, cash, and third-party e-wallets such as GCash and Paymaya. Other platforms such as Lalafood, Grab, and foodpanda developed their own e-wallet system where users can directly top-up credits and complete their transactions within the platform. GrabFood has GrabPay, while LalaFood has LalaFood Wallet. Foodpanda, meanwhile, has the refund balance feature called foodpanda Pay.

Increase your tier for more freebies and discounts

Online food service platforms usually offer more discounts and freebies for those who will unlock certain tiers. Grab’s tier system is based on the number of orders placed and the total amount they have reached. On the other hand, foodpanda offers a subscription plan called foodpanda Pro that offers up to 20% discount of over 4,500 partner restaurants, free delivery orders, and discount vouchers. For those with dietary restrictions, ordering vegan or keto-friendly meal plans makes everything convenient. Meal plans usually consist of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

And there you have it. These food delivery tips are helpful not only for foodies but also for those who are still exploring the wonders of online food delivery, like our parents and grandparents. Have you tried any food delivery apps? What else should consumers take note of when ordering meals online? Let us know in the comment section below!