Every day your restaurant runs without a direct online ordering system, you're leaving money on the table. You’ve already done the hard work of building a loyal customer base that orders from you on third-party delivery apps. Now, it's time to give those customers a way to order directly from you, commission-free.The good news: setting up online ordering for your restaurant is simpler than most owners expect. This guide walks you through seven steps to launch your own restaurant online ordering system, start taking direct orders, and keep more of the revenue you earn.
TL;DR
Decide what you need from an online ordering system before comparing options
Choose a partner that handles setup, connects to your POS system, and supports your menu
Upload your online menu with accurate descriptions, modifiers, and strong photos
Configure delivery zones, pickup options, and order settings to match your kitchen's capacity
Price your menu for direct orders, promote it everywhere, and track results to keep improving
Online Ordering available with DoorDash Commerce Platform can increase sales by up to 8% of current Marketplace sales (based on internal DoorDash data from Jan 2025 through May 2025)
Setting Up Online Ordering Is Simpler Than You Think
If you've been putting off launching online ordering because it sounds too technical, you're not alone. Many restaurant owners assume they need a developer, a custom website, or hours of setup time. That's not the case anymore.
Modern online food ordering systems handle the heavy lifting for you. They provide the ordering page, the checkout process, payment processing, and order management in one place. You don't need to write code, hire a designer, or build anything from scratch.
Most platforms walk you through each step with guided setup. You answer a few questions, upload your menu, choose your payment options, and you're live. The whole process can take hours, not weeks. If you already have a menu and photos ready, you can accept direct orders even faster.
You also don't need to build an ordering pagefrom scratch. Many online ordering platforms include a branded ordering page that works on its own or connects to a site you already have. The goal is to get customers ordering, not to become a web developer.
How to Set Up Online Ordering for Your Restaurant in 7 Steps
Step 1: Decide What You Need From Online Ordering
Before comparing platforms, think about what you actually need. Every restaurant faces a challenge when it comes to taking orders online: rely only on third-party apps for online sales,build your own direct ordering channel, or do both, which is what we recommend.
Third-party apps bring discovery. They put your restaurant in front of new customers who are browsing for something to eat, and you pay commission fees when customers order from you and you don't retain customer data.
A direct ordering channel gives you more control. You set your own prices, keep your customer data, and pay no per-order commissions. You also get order history and customer contact information you can use to bring people back. And with your own channel, you can run a loyalty program, offer exclusive deals, and even launch a mobile app to keep regulars coming back.
Most restaurants do best with both. Third-party apps help you reach new customers. Direct ordering helps you keep them. They're not an either/or choice — they work better together.
Step 2: Choose the Right Online Ordering Partner
Not every restaurant ordering system is built the same. When comparing options, focus on three things: how easy the onboarding is, whether the platform connects to your current point-of-sale system, and what it costs.
Most online ordering platforms charge between $100 and $500 in monthly fees, depending on features. Some charge per order instead. Look for a partner that offers guided setup, built-in payment processing (supporting payment options like credit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal), and a system that syncs with your existing tools.
Online Ordering — DoorDash Commerce Platform's commission-free ordering system — combines your online menu, checkout, order management, and marketing tools in one place. It runs on technology built on what DoorDash has already learned from millions of orders. . And because it connects to your existing DoorDash Marketplace account, you don't have to start from zero.
Online Ordering and DoorDash Marketplace work better together. Marketplace brings new customers in. Online Ordering turns those customers into direct, repeat orders on your own channels. Used together, they build on each other — one drives discovery, the other builds the relationship.
Not sure which features matter most for your restaurant? Use the Restaurant Marketing Platform Worksheet to compare your options side by side.
Step 3: Upload and Organize Your Menu
Your online menu is the first thing customers see. If it's confusing or incomplete, they leave. Take the time to get it right before you launch.
Start with accuracy. Make sure every item has a clear name, a short description, the correct price, and any relevant modifiers (sizes, product add-ons, special instructions). Group items into simple categories like "Appetizers," "Entrees," and "Drinks" so customers can scan quickly.
Strong food photography makes a real difference in conversion. Customers order more when they can see what a dish looks like. If you can, invest in quality photos for your top-selling items.
Step 4: Configure Delivery, Pickup, and Order Settings
Once your menu is ready, set up how orders will actually work. This is where you protect your kitchen from getting overwhelmed.
Set realistic prep times so customers know when to expect their food, and lengthen prep times when your kitchen is slammed. You can also pause online orders altogether if your team is at capacity.l If your platform supports inventory management, turn it on so sold-out items are automatically removed from your online menu.
Choose whether you'll offer delivery, pickup, takeout, or all three. If you offer delivery, define your delivery zones and set delivery fees that make sense for the distance. And configure order confirmation settings so your team gets notified the moment an order comes in.
Step 5: Price and Package Your Menu for Direct Orders
Direct ordering gives you pricing flexibility you don't get on third-party apps. Because there are no per-order commission fees — Online Ordering charges a standard payment processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per order for online payments — you can pass some of those savings on to customers.
Consider offering slightly lower prices on direct orders than you do on third-party marketplaces. Even a small discount gives customers a reason to order directly next time. That's a win for both of you: they save money, and you keep more of the sale.
Think about which menu items travel well for delivery. Package food in containers that protect temperature and presentation. Your packaging is part of your brand — it's the last thing a customer sees before they eat.
Step 6: Connect Your POS System
Connecting your online ordering system to your POS system keeps everything in sync. Orders flow straight from your online store to the kitchen without anyone re-entering them by hand. Menu items and pricing stay consistent across every channel.
Test the connection before you go live. Place a few test orders to make sure they show up correctly in your POS system. Check that modifiers, pricing, and order tracking all work the way they should. A quick test run prevents most compatibility issues and saves you from scrambling on launch day.
Step 7: Promote Your New Ordering System
Your restaurant online ordering system won't drive online sales on its own. You have to tell people it exists.
Start with the basics. Add a visible "Order Now" button to your website and your Google Business Profile (your restaurant's free listing on Google Maps and in local search results). Update your social media profiles with a direct link to your ordering page.
Then spread the word. Send an email to your customer list announcing the new option. Post on social media. Put up in-store signage near the register and at tables. QR code ordering is one of the easiest ways to bridge in-store visits to online orders — print a QR code on table tents, receipts, or takeout bags that links straight to your ordering page. If you have a mobile app, promote it alongside your ordering link so customers can reorder with one tap next time.
Mention your direct ordering option when customers call in orders or check out in person. Every touchpoint is a chance to move someone from a third-party app to your own channel.
How Much Can Online Ordering Actually Grow Your Sales?
Customers want to order directly from restaurants. According to NCR Voyix's 2025 Customer Experience Report, 58% of customers prefer using a restaurant's mobile app or website to order delivery rather than a third-party platform. Convenience, easier customization, and the ability to earn rewards through a loyalty program were the top reasons.
And direct ordering doesn't just shift where orders come from — it can grow your total sales. Adding Online Ordering can increase sales by up to 8% of current Marketplace sales (based on internal DoorDash data from Jan 2025 through May 2025).
Here's how those numbers break down:
What the data shows | Source |
|---|---|
58% of customers prefer ordering delivery through a restaurant's own app or website | |
Online Ordering can increase sales by up to 8% of current Marketplace sales | Based on internal DoorDash data from Jan 2025 through May 2025 |
The takeaway: customers already want to order from you directly. Give them an easy way to do it, and you'll see more online orders without pulling volume away from your Marketplace channel.
Track Performance and Keep Improving
Launching your online ordering system is step one. Keeping it profitable means watching your numbers and adjusting as you go.
After your first week, check these key metrics: total order volume, peak ordering hours, repeat-customer rate, and your best-selling items. These tell you what's working and where to focus next.
If lunch orders are slow but dinner is packed, adjust your promotions. If one dish sells twice as much as anything else online, feature it more prominently in your online menu. Use order history to spot trends over time.
The Merchant Portal — where DoorDash merchants can already see reporting on their Marketplace and direct orders — gives you this data in one place. You can track online sales, see which items perform best, and make decisions based on what customers are actually ordering.
Tips to Maximize Your Online Ordering Launch
Lead with your bestsellers. Put your most popular items front and center on your online menu. Customers ordering for the first time want a safe choice. Make it easy for them to pick something great. Since you're already on DoorDash, Online Ordering can pull from your Marketplace sales data to help surface your bestsellers automatically — so your menu stays current without extra manual work.
Mention it at every touchpoint. When a customer pays at the register, let them know they can order online next time. When someone calls in an order, mention your direct ordering option. Train your staff to work it into natural conversation — not as a pitch, but as a helpful tip.
Turn first orders into repeat orders. A follow-up email after a customer's first online order can go a long way. Thank them, suggest a reorder of what they bought, or offer a small incentive to come back. Building a repeat habit early is easier than winning someone back later. Loyalty rewards for direct orders are another way to give customers a reason to skip third-party apps and come straight to you.
Turn Your Marketplace Reach Into Direct Online Orders
You're already reaching customers on DoorDash Marketplace. DoorDash Commerce Platform gives you a direct channel that keeps more of every sale.
With commission-free Online Ordering, you get your own ordering system, built on the same technology that powers DoorDash, without paying per-order commissions. Add your menu, connect your POS system, and start taking direct orders from customers who already know your restaurant.
Stop leaving revenue on the table. Start keeping more of every order.
Launch Online Ordering Today!
