Mobile Ordering: Food Ordering on the rise

By Phil Talbot – go to guy | mobile ordering |saavi

Mobile Ordering is the future

Dominos as one of the world’s largest and recognised Pizza brands knows a thing or two about food ordering and where they are going to earn their crust in 2015 and beyond. In fact, according to a recent online article on Internet Retailing, mobile is set to become Domino’s most popular sales channel in 2015.           

Mobile Ordering sales account for almost 70% of their Domino’s UK sales revenue with almost 40% of their orders placed on mobile devices and this figure is up 69.7% up on last year’s figures – clearly mobile ordering is booming growth area for Dominos.

In what could be a peek into the future of retail, an increasing number of people are utilizing their mobile ordering to uplift the shopping experience (i.e., comparing prices, researching products, buying), according to a new report from Alliance Data Retail Services.

Food Ordering: The benefits are significant

Based on leading international research and our own experience in the Australian market, there are a number of benefits of implementing mobile ordering:

·         Your own branded mobile apps positioning you as a market leader

·         Allow customers ordering in less than 30 seconds.

·         Customer orders go direct to your accounting system 24/7 from all customer mobile devices and tablets

·         Improved customer loyalty and a reduction in brand switching

·         Significant reduction in voicemail orders, phone, fax and email orders – saving you thousands per month

·         The ultimate customer targeting and engagement tool available – passive product marketing direct to customer mobiles

·         Improved client communication through a single interface for all customer

·         Significant improvement in the turnaround of time to process orders to packing slips

·         Reducing staff involvement in processing credit notes for incorrect orders

·         Improved cash-flows resulting from less invoice disputes

Benefits of a Mobile Ordering App for Food Ordering

There are many advantages to using mobile ordering. First, it reduces costs by shortening order-taking time and avoiding errors that normally goes when people call in their purchases. Additionally, its barcoding capabilities also eliminate data entry mistakes. Second, it widens sales channels, allowing customers to order right at fingertips. Third, mobile ordering systems can help increase customer loyalty and consumer satisfaction by looking at their buying trends and purchasing behaviour. All these advantages drive consequently drive profits up, especially when combined with social media marketing.

Mobile Ordering - direct to your accounting system

One of the most compelling benefits of any Mobile Ordering system is integrating the system to your accounting system. Any accounting system that is SQL-based will be supported by SAAVI Mobile Ordering and implementation can take a matter of weeks. Now live pricing, inventory updates and item availability can be made available to customers, meaning that you do not have to maintain 2 separate databases. Any changes in your accounting or ERP system will be immediately updated in your Mobile Ordering System.

Join the fastest food ordering growth area

As a leader in Mobile Ordering Solutions, SAAVI has a number of leading Australian companies who are already significantly benefiting from deploying mobile ordering including Aquanas Seafood, Dicksons Statewide, Princes Laundry, and Fastrac Food Service to name a few.

Join the mobile ordering revolution today.

Phil Talbot is founder of Saavi  – the mobile ordering specialists and the resident expert in mobile ordering systems. You can follow SAAVI on Facebook.

Mobile Ordering App Design Mistakes: Avoid These 10

By Phil Talbot – go to guy | mobile ordering | saavi

Perhaps you have mastered the world of cross-platform app design and is ready to get your hands on your first mobile app design.

Though you maybe ready to get down to the nitty-gritty and is already having visions of grandeur how the whole universe is going to thank you for such a wonderful accomplishment, think twice before you leap. Many an enterprising mobile app developer forget that ultimately it is the user who is the final arbiter of the application.

Before you catch negative reviews here are 10 mobile app design mistakes you should avoid to prevent putting your career in a precarious position.

1.                 Flow map first before wireframes.

Technicalities can follow so make sure from the onset you have the user in mind. Even the simplest of applications should have a well-thought-out flow map to get a navigational structure in place.

Skipping the flow map can have disastrous results; it is like going to an unknown country without employing a map.

2.                 Never overlook the budget.

It is easy for a designer to bring changes to the table. However, everything has to pass through the developer. Budget should bring the right perspective to changes. Things that look as simple as a type-ahead search that gives live results may take more than just an hour, or even days to build.

3.                 Don’t let low resolution or bitmaps fool you.

High-res, pixel-dense screens is the way to go. If you are being skimpy on the pixels, forget about getting users for your app.

4.                 Never undersize the hit area.

One measurement to remember is the average size of user’s index finger: 1.6 to 2cm wide. Make buttons smaller and your functionality is in danger.

5.                 Intro animations can be a drag.

Sure, fun little animations upon opening an app can be really sweet. But if you have to wait for ages to see it, then that would amount to many users doing a change of mind.

6.                 Never leave users hanging.

Even when something is being loaded make sure your users know something is going on. Utilizing a countdown can do the trick or even better a progress indicator.

7.                 Avoid being a blind copycat.

Lest you forget, every mobile OS has its own quirks. Android, Windows Phone and Android have

very distinct aesthetic. Though it is not your obligation to make your app act like it was built by the OS creator, making it looking like it belong to the platform is definitely a good consideration.

8.            There is good pixel-density and there is such a thing as an overstuffed one.

True, there is a strong temptation to get things crammed up into the interface because you have more pixels within your disposal especially when designing high PPI (pixel per inch) displays.

It’s astounding if you’re looking at it on a 27-inch high-res display. Remember though that the actual device could be measure a full ruler lower or even much less.

9.                 Never assume people will use your app the way you do.

Usability testing frees your app. No matter how good you think your app is, it still has to boil down to the user. A closed beta to a limited number of friends could do the trick.

10.           Use gestures but don’t abuse them.

Remember that it is necessary to make every single element of your interface fully visible or easily-accessible.  For instance, we could look into the Mail app used for iPhone. A user could actually swipe a message revealing a delete button in the inbox view. This is a good shortcut but in a way it also shows a balance.  Other users who have no knowledge of the shortcut may just press the “edit” button. Gestures are a plus but being overly dependent on them can be disastrous.

In the end, keeping your users in mind always can save you the hassle. Above all, they are the reason why you are building the app.

Phil Talbot is founder of SAAVI – the mobile ordering system specialists and the resident expert in mobile ordering systems. You can follow SAAVI on Facebook.

LogoIncluded: Mobile Ordering in Action!

By Phil Talbot – go to guy | mobile ordering | saavi

This mobile ordering app is not for everybody. But if you work in company engagement (holding parties, outings, outreach, and other activities for companies), LogoIncluded is a must-have mobile ordering app.

LogiIncluded is your very own mobile connection to Logo Included, a company that makes custom-branded and styled company promotion items that contain technology in them (they’re not your ordinary company branded pens and mugs). Also known as technology promotional products, or technology ad-specialty items, these are:

• USB flash drives
• Flash pen (with real ink) drives
• Accessories for iPhones and other mobile phones
• Wireless pointers and presenters
• Optical mice
• Web keys
• Mobile batteries and emergency chargers
• USB hubs
• Digital photo frames
• MP3/MP4 players
• Executive kits (kits containing all or some of the above)
• Tool kits
• Screen cleaners
• SD cards and readers
• Stylus for iPads and other tablets
• Assorted packaging and tech accessories

In short, company branded mass-produced gizmos for giveaways. And you are not limited to Logo Included’s available designs either. You can also design your own giveaway (as long as it’s along the lines of the products above) and Logo Included will create a mockup for you for free.

More on the App:

Developed by SAAVI, LogoIncluded is your one stop app not just for mobile ordering but for getting the latest business tips, product and mobile app news, and the latest promos.

As a mobile ordering app, LogoIncluded gives you access to these features:

 

Access to Entire Product Catalog

Touch the ‘Products’ button and you can browse through LogoIncluded’s entire product catalogue containing high-quality photos of all the tech-promo products available. There’s also a ‘Find Products’ button at the bottom so you can search for particular products and features.

When you need to show your boss or your customers what the product looks like, just whip out your iPhone or iPad and show them detailed information on the product—pictures, available colors, gadget and print dimensions, features, packaging, accessories and options—even production times. Bookmark your favorite products for instant access or download PDF files on featured products (you can find your favorites on the Favorites section).

Real-Time & Personalized Pricing

Up-to-the-minute pricing on all products is always on the products section (there is even an ‘Update All’ button at the lower right of the main menu so you can be sure all info and pricing on all products are at their latest). And not only that, if you’re logged in as a registered LogoIncluded distributor, prices listed will change from being coded [R] to Personalized Net Pricing that’s tailored for you and which you can use to advantage.

Up To Date News And Specials

Touch the ‘News’ icon, and you’ll see the latest mobile ordering news, business tips (in relation to technology promotional products), and info about Logo Included’s current product promos.

You’ll always be informed on specials and lowered pricing by touching the ‘Specials’ button. The ‘Specials’ area is where you can access all the details of featured products. Featured Products have links to PDF and email. Use these features to download PDF documents on featured products or conveniently email these to others.

Services, Factory Tour and Company Info

These can all be accessed with the middle row buttons. The ‘Services’ button is where you can learn about Logo Included’s free mockup services—in which you can send in artwork (logos, pictures, etc) of your design ideas and Logo Included’s designers will place these in a digital mockup so you can see a high-quality rendering of what your order will look like.

The ‘Our Factory’ button takes you to a video tour of LogoIncluded’s China factory. Touch the ‘About Us’ button and you’ll learn more about the company and its commitment to social accountability and the environment.

So, as a tool for company engagement officers—and those who wish to make money as a distributor, Logo Included’s LogoIncluded app is a great convenience. Whenever people need that personal touch in a company giveaway, blow them away with LogoIncluded.

Phil Talbot is founder of SAAVI – the food ordering specialists and the resident expert in mobile ordering systems. You can follow SAAVI on facebook.