Everyone is getting online, but not everyone is able to reap the benefits of the system - hard reality, but true! Pivoting to online ordering and delivery to meet the current demand of the customers doesn't just involve integrating the latest online ordering system with your existing POS. In fact, it starts from there! To maximize the potential of your online ordering system, consider the importance of device-friendly ordering features that can enhance the customer experience.

The biggest step is to implement effective restaurant staff training on how to use this new technology in the right way. Without proper training, even the most advanced systems can fail to deliver results. This is why it's crucial to understand the benefits of online ordering for your restaurant and how it can impact your business.

Whether you're soaring in sales for takeout orders, or just beginning to get some orders - spending time to create and streamline processes at the backend will go a long way in increasing efficiency and minimizing costs. A well-optimized restaurant website can also play a significant role in improving the overall customer experience.

Employees who don't have the experience to handle online orders or aren't technology-friendly might feel overwhelmed with all the major operational changes. This is the time to help them adapt by training them in the right way. For instance, teaching them how to effectively communicate menu items to customers can significantly improve sales.

Why Restaurant Staff Training is Critical for Online Ordering Success

Effective staff training for online food ordering systems is crucial for restaurants to ensure smooth operations, customer satisfaction, and increased revenue. Without proper training, even the most sophisticated online ordering system can lead to confusion, errors, and frustrated customers. To avoid this, consider the tips for increasing conversion rates on your restaurant website.

Restaurant staff training directly impacts:

• Order accuracy and fulfillment speed
• Customer satisfaction and retention
• Operational efficiency and cost management
• Staff confidence and job satisfaction
• Your restaurant's reputation in an increasingly digital marketplace

According to industry research, restaurants that invest in comprehensive staff training for digital ordering systems see up to 25% fewer errors and significantly higher customer satisfaction scores. This is why it's essential to focus on training staff to manage online ordering technology effectively.

Here are the top 7 tips for training your restaurant staff to manage online ordering technology effectively.

Tip 1. Create a Training Plan with Clear Goals

Begin with creating a comprehensive training plan with clear and concise goals. Set achievable targets for each employee, but remember not to make them overly challenging. You don't want to put them off, especially when they are struggling with their own share of difficulties. Consider the importance of SEO for your restaurant website and how it can impact your online presence.

A well-structured restaurant staff training plan should:

• Establish clear objectives and expectations aligned to specific roles (kitchen staff, front-of-house, management)
• Customize the approach by keeping track of what worked and what didn't for your restaurant
• Respect staff schedules and availability
• Break training into manageable phases with specific timelines
• Include measurable outcomes to track progress

Ask your team to dedicate a few hours every day on the job to learn the new skill, and clearly outline the rollout method you intend to use. If required, divide your plan into phases, and set a time limit for each phase. Stick to these timelines strictly as you start training. For more information on creating an effective training plan, consider the benefits of device-friendly ordering for your restaurant.

Tip 2. Communicate the Benefits to Employees

As mentioned earlier, your staff must feel confident about the new approach and strategies devised by the management. Communicate about all the benefits of having new online ordering technology. They'll get excited about the advantages of the new integration and will be fully on board when training starts. This is especially important when it comes to reducing restaurant labor costs and improving efficiency.

Don't just talk about the accelerations that the new process will bring to the organization, but also how the staff is going to benefit from it.

Tell your employees exactly how the new online ordering technology will make their lives easier:

• Less phone time for taking orders, allowing focus on in-house customers
• Faster turnover and streamlined workflows
• Happier customers resulting in better tips
• Valuable digital skills that enhance their professional development
• Reduced order errors and associated stress

Don't forget to mention that getting hands-on with the new technology is only going to add value to their experience as the entire industry takes the digitization route. This is perhaps the best opportunity for them to grow in their field and improve their skills in increasing conversion rates on your restaurant website.

Tip 3. Use Interactive Demos and Sandbox Environments

The best way to teach something is to provide your staff with live demonstrations and give them access to the trials that your online ordering system provider offers.

Selecting the right training platforms and resources is crucial for effective learning:

• Utilize vendor-provided training materials and documentation
• Create restaurant-specific cheat sheets for quick reference
• Set up a sandbox environment for risk-free practice
• Develop visual aids that illustrate the customer journey

Demonstrate the online ordering process, right from the start to finish. Show them everything they need to know about online orders, customizations, personalized offers, analytics and of course, delivery trackers. Help them see the big picture through visuals and interactive content. For more information on creating an effective training program, consider the importance of SEO for your restaurant website.

Tip 4. Conduct Role-Play Sessions for Real-World Practice

Fun activities must be a part of your restaurant employee training plan, and conducting live practice sessions on how orders are placed and efficiently completed is an effective approach.

Let your employees log in to the online ordering system and place test orders as if they are customers. Ask them to:

• Place simple orders and complex custom orders
• Include special notes or dietary restrictions
• Test different payment methods
• Simulate high-volume ordering scenarios
• Practice handling order modifications and cancellations

Knowing the customer journey on the mobile ordering app or website will also help your staff to guide your customers through the process. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building system familiarity and troubleshooting skills. Consider the benefits of device-friendly ordering for your restaurant and how it can improve the customer experience.

Tip 5. Customize Training by Station and Role

The best trainer doesn't use the same training style for each individual team member. After you're done training your staff on the basics of your Online Ordering Technology, the next step is to divide the group into different categories. Train these diversified segments on things most pertinent to their job.

For example, you may need to create specialized training for:

• Kitchen staff: Order prioritization, preparation timing, packaging requirements
• Front-of-house: Order verification, customer communication, pickup procedures
• Managers: Analytics review, troubleshooting, system administration
• Delivery staff: Route optimization, order handling, customer interaction

Encourage them to raise their concerns and challenges with the new system and assist them with effective resolutions. Provide each employee with a script that answers queries relevant to their department. For instance, preparation time, how to cancel the order, how to add special tips after placing an order, tracking delivery driver, and so on. Consider the importance of reducing labor costs and how it can impact your restaurant's profitability.

Tip 6. Teach Differentiation Between Dine-In and Online Orders

Differentiating between in-house tickets and online orders is very important, especially when orders are peaking. You don't want an angry dine-in customer who is furious about waiting for too long.

In most cases, your ticket printer should be able to perform this task automatically. However, if there's no such system in place, create a simple manual one - like using a colored highlighter for dine-in orders, and explain it to your staff.

Effective differentiation strategies include:

• Color-coded order tickets (digital or physical)
• Separate preparation areas for online vs. dine-in orders when possible
• Different packaging protocols for takeout/delivery vs. dine-in
• Distinct notification sounds for online orders through your POS and delivery integrations
• Clear prioritization guidelines based on order type and timing

Training your staff to quickly identify and properly handle different order types ensures both your in-person and online customers receive the attention and service they expect. Consider the importance of device-friendly ordering features for your restaurant and how it can improve the customer experience.

Tip 7. Organize Follow-Through and Continuous Training Sessions

Your restaurant staff training does not stop at teaching everything you need to. The learning process continues well beyond the launch date. Having follow-through training sessions is very important in order to see if your training is working. Follow-through sessions can be lined up every week, or once in a fortnight.

These sessions must include active participation from all your staff members. Take their feedback and address the challenges with the system. Let them ask questions, and assist them with effective resolutions.

Continuous training should include:

• Regular refresher courses, especially after system updates
• Sharing of best practices and success stories
• Addressing recurring issues and finding solutions
• Cross-training staff to ensure operational flexibility
• Incorporating new features and functionality as they become available

Create a positive problem-solving attitude amongst your staff and boost their energies with these follow-through sessions. Remember that technology is constantly evolving, and your training approach should evolve with it. Consider the importance of online ordering for your restaurant and how it can impact your business.

Bonus Tip: Foster a Customer-Centric and Innovative Mindset

Beyond the technical aspects of online ordering technology, it's crucial to foster a customer-centric mindset among your staff. This approach ensures that technology serves your customers rather than becoming a barrier.

Encourage your team to:

• View online orders from the customer's perspective
• Anticipate potential issues before they arise
• Suggest improvements to the ordering process
• Collect and share customer feedback about the online experience
• Think creatively about using technology to enhance customer satisfaction

Incentivizing employees to embrace and master the online ordering system can significantly boost adoption and performance. Consider implementing:

• Recognition programs for staff who excel with the new technology
• Small rewards for teams that achieve error-free processing
• Opportunities for tech-savvy staff to become system champions or trainers
• Team celebrations when digital ordering milestones are reached

By investing in your employees through positive recognition, team events, and relationship building, you create a culture that balances productivity with innovation. Consider the importance of reducing labor costs and how it can impact your restaurant's profitability.

How to Measure Training Effectiveness and Staff Performance

To ensure your restaurant staff training program is delivering results, it's essential to establish metrics and feedback loops that measure success. This data-driven approach allows you to refine your training methods and identify areas for improvement.

Consider implementing these measurement strategies:

• Regular performance reviews focused specifically on digital order handling
• Mystery shopper programs for your online ordering platform
• Staff self-assessment tools to gauge comfort and skill level
• Customer feedback mechanisms specifically for the online ordering experience
• Analysis of order processing times and error rates before and after training

Use these insights to recognize high performers, identify training gaps, and continuously improve your restaurant employee training program.

Restaurant Staff Training Best Practices for Online Ordering Technology

To maximize the effectiveness of your training program, consider these industry best practices that have proven successful across various restaurant types:

• Be consistent in management expectations and training delivery
• Document everything - create comprehensive guides and reference materials
• Use a multi-modal approach - combine visual, hands-on, and written instruction
• Train during off-peak hours when staff can focus without customer pressure
• Involve vendors - many online ordering system providers offer training support
• Create "super users" who can train and support others
• Celebrate successes and use mistakes as learning opportunities
• Stay updated on system changes and new features

Remember that restaurant staff training is an investment in your business's future. The time and resources you dedicate to training now will pay dividends in operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth. Consider the importance of online ordering for your restaurant and how it can impact your business.