FSSAI Food License

Advantages & Disadvantages of Online Food Business

Online Food Business

Introduction

Today, having an online presence is crucial for the food industry since it provides a fantastic opportunity to use new internet channels to contact clients. Online connections are stronger than those made in person. In today’s cutthroat business environment, it scarcely matters how big or small the company is; every company needs a minimal online presence. The same rules apply to the food industry; if a person operating a restaurant hasn’t yet set up an online page for their establishment, it is a disadvantage for that business, while some social media profiles have already done so and benefited from it.

An NRA research from the previous year found that 74–75% of millennials like to order food online. The food market is changing quickly as a result of this significant shift in eating patterns and the rapid advancement of technology. With less human contact because of the so-called digitization of food distribution, food may be delivered more quickly. You should be informed of the numerous benefits and drawbacks of online meal ordering if you’re considering launching your own system.

Reason Why Food Business Must Have Online Presence?

Online food business creates an opportunity, and the businessman starts by expanding the service output with some additional pick-up in the business. Nowadays, people are spending more money online. Advanced technology has brought a lot of change in people’s lives through e-commerce facilities, and people of all generations have no barriers to adopting new ways of shopping.

What Are the Criteria for an Online Food Business?

Trying some casual pick-up service is an effective way of calibrating a takeaway business without investing and risking too much.

Following are major things that are taken into consideration, i.e.-

  • Menu item
  • Ease of ordering.
  • Pricing
  • Packaging
  • Quality of food
  • Discount offers.
  • A good website design for quickly serving the clients and with a nice rating.

Elaborate on The Process of Starting An Online Food Business

Initially, it is good to start the online business by creating a Facebook business page for the restaurant, and a business must have administration rights on the page. Additionally, it must have Local Business or Place mode.

  • Creating A Facebook Online Page
  • Adding a cover photo on the page so that a person can recognize it easily.
  • Adding an online order Application, which makes online ordering easier. Like-Zomato, swiggy etc.
  • Create context and regular posting of pictures of existing customers, products, offers or any messages on certain occasions and festivals.
  • Let the customers know more about your restaurant, your chef, and the ambience of the restaurant by making short clips, live videos and pictures so that the people will be able to connect personally with the brand.
  • Regular promotions and keeping an update on any change in the menu along with the prices.
  • Special discount announcements and updating the Facebook page daily.
  • Accomplishing all the criteria will result in generating good sales. Ordering online is a very easy way, as it works on any device, i.e. mobile, laptop and desktop also.
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Creating A Google Presence

It is very important for all businesspeople to have a Google presence, and the business needs to get registered in Google Account1 (My business account). It acts as a business workplace online where you can manage everything that reflects your business on Google.

Process Of Creating A Google Account

  • Sign in with the email address by creating a Google account. The email address must associate with the business name for the ease and understanding of the customers.
  • After signing into the Google account, create your business acknowledgements by including all the details such as name, address, phone no. and business category.
  • Verification of business account, as without verification step, the exposure benefit cannot be availed arising from claiming the Google Plus page.
  • Editing the Business Profile to enhance the online ordering capabilities. The following processes are required to create an extraordinary profile of the business for the customers.
  • Google’s local listing by updating more and more reviews of the customers. More and more positive reviews from the customer based on the services and food of the restaurant.
  • Uploading real pictures of the restaurant, i.e. of the location and the food. Happy customers pictures, pictures of the team/customers ordering food.
  • Description of food and product variety helps the customer in finding the food easily.
  • All this process helps in good visibility of the restaurant on Google.

Advantages Of Online Food Business

Running an online business adds flexibility to the business, which ultimately results in an increase in sales and profit-

Easy to start an online marketing business

Starting an online business with less capital. It affiliates a marketing business without spending more time and money. Online business helps in promoting the business without going for dine-in. In an online business, the process does not require much time to get started.

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Unlimited profit and Income Potential

Online food business results in unlimited profit and Income potential for the business.

Free access all over the world

As long as a person have a computer and internet access, it doesn’t matter where the person is—you can run an online business from anywhere in the world.

Ease for the customer to receive the delivery at their place without going outside.

Easy-to-use features which are completely easy, convenient and completely transparent.

Disadvantages Of The Online Food Business

Despite being an end number of advantages of online business, there are certain disadvantages of online business. They are-

Price:

The cost of using online food ordering services is one of their biggest flaws. The price of ordering food for more than one person is typically comparable to dining out every night at a decent restaurant. For some other food ordering services, even more pricey. Online food ordering services are frequently too pricey for people on a tight food budget.

Limited menu:

Menu options are yet another drawback for restaurant ordering systems. The majority of food delivery services offer a small selection of meals. Every few weeks or months, the menu is changed, but if you continue with the plan for longer than a few months, the same things will keep appearing on the menu.

Preparation:

Food ordering systems may suffer from the preparation aspect. Food ordered online is typically delivered frozen. They are typically simple to make, but because the food is frozen, they typically require more than an hour to cook. The meal can be taken out of the freezer the day before to prevent lengthy cooking periods.

A drawback of the food ordering

This method is that the quality of the food delivered is frequently lower than dining in a restaurant. Food must frequently be transported over great distances, and over time, priceless vitamins might be lost. Additionally, food from the ordering system is frequently given in plastic packaging, which may not be as aesthetically pleasing as food that is presented on your plate neatly in a restaurant.

The meal may become cold:

Because of the extensive delivery distances, your meal may already be chilly before it arrives at your house. Either reheat it or consume it cold.

This is especially true if you order in a hurry because the ordering individual will likely be stopped in traffic and congested streets.

The restaurant atmosphere is lost: Some restaurants also have a pleasant atmosphere that you would lose if you ordered your food from home.

Conclusion

A wider client base, more consumer convenience, lower operating costs, and the opportunity to collect useful customer data for targeted marketing are just a few benefits of the online food industry. It additionally enables flexible menu options and speedy order processing. Although there are benefits, there are also drawbacks, including fierce rivalry, potential issues with food quality and freshness, dependency on outside delivery providers, and the difficulty of establishing a strong web presence. Despite these issues, running an internet food business may be profitable and fulfilling in the digital era if managed well and with an emphasis on quality and client pleasure.

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FAQs

  1. What are the advantages of the food business?

    One of the key factors contributing to the success of food franchises is the fact that people will always need to eat. People who are managing their spending during a recession will nevertheless go out to eat once per week or every two weeks.

  2. What is the advantage of the food service industry?

    The food service sector has a significant role in the social, cultural, environmental, and economic elements of a country. Food preparation, handling, cooking, storing, and delivery to customers outside of their homes are all included in the category of food service.

  3. What are the disadvantages of having a food business?

    In their first year of business, many restaurants could experience a loss. This phenomenon may be influenced by a variety of expected and unforeseen circumstances, such as the startup costs of the firm and the absence of reputable or consistent clients in the early stages.

  4. What are the disadvantages of opening a restaurant business?

    A restaurant often requires a significant time and energy commitment to operate or manage. In addition to managing buying, selling, and logistics as part of routine business development, you also need to keep an eye on the daily provision of a worthwhile dining experience.

  5. What are the advantages of food production?

    The following are some of the significant advantages of food processing: Food processing lowers the quantity of disease-causing germs in food. Pickling, for instance, dehydrates food products and modifies pH, preventing the growth of hazardous germs. Additionally, it lengthens the shelf-life of food items.

  6. What are the advantages of food production management?

    The productivity and efficiency of your company will increase dramatically after you use the food management system. It gives you the ability to produce accurate and timely data while automating routine manual activities. With it, making decisions will be simpler, allowing you to develop superior business strategies.

  7. What are the disadvantages of food processing systems?

    However, there are disadvantages to food processing. Many nutrients may be damaged or eliminated, depending on the level of processing. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may lose fibre and plant nutrients (phytochemicals) if the outer layers are peeled off. Some vitamins and minerals can be destroyed by cooking or drying food.

  8. What is the scope of the food industry in India?

    The food sector has the potential to develop into one of India's leading industries in the future due to rising agricultural production, the construction of storage facilities, the expansion of food processing businesses, and changing consumer food preferences.

  9. What is the impact of technology on food?

    The following are a few of the most prominent effects of technology on the food industry: A more streamlined and productive production process, from planting and harvesting to manufacturing and packaging, has been made possible by technology. This has increased efficiency and productivity in the food industry.

Also Read: How to Avoid Delay in Getting FSSAI License?
Food Hygiene Guidelines for Food Delivery Businesses
How to Start a Catering Business in India

References

  1. https://www.google.com/account/about/

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