No matter where you go these days, you can find self-ordering kiosk software in action. It makes things quicker, more convenient, cuts down on overhead for businesses, and so much more. You may most frequently see them as standalone kiosks.
These self-ordering kiosks are becoming more and more common in restaurants, particularly in the fast-food variety. Customers can come in, order what they, and simply wait for their order to come up. And of course, all of this connects seamlessly with the restaurant POS (point of sale) system for easy payment.
However, all it takes is a little bit of lagging or inconvenience for customers to get frustrated and lose faith in these systems. If you are considering moving to self-ordering kiosk software for your establishment, there are five things in particular that you should be implementing.
1. Multiple Languages
It is now more important than ever to offer different languages for self-ordering kiosks. Not only is it great for international visitors who happen to be in town, but it is becoming a necessity as many locales see integration of different languages.
Not only that but having different language features available just caters to a larger audience. Customers are customers and their money is as good as anyone. The last thing that you want is to lose customers because you cannot match their required language.
With the proper software, this can be a simple selection at the beginning of the ordering process. From there, everything is seamlessly translated so that they can make the right choice and put their order in without hassle.
As we become more integrated in society at large, this will stop being an option and become a must for any establishment.
2. Promotional Ads
No matter what the establishment, there are bound to be seasonal changes to the menu. When those seasonal items come up, the goal is to push them as hard as possible. The great thing about these kiosks is that they can also act as an advertising tool.
When no one is using them, they can display promotional advertisements, brand messages, loyalty campaigns, membership awards, holiday discounts, and seasonal offerings. These kiosks pay for themselves in a variety of ways and don’t ever stop working to help your business.
Where advertising is concerned, placement is important. You want as many passers-by as possible to be able to see the content they are displaying, making them effective advertising tools on top of serving customers.
3. Custom Ordering
While there is a little (and rightful) shift away from “the customer is always right,” there is one important thing to remember: customization is a must. Best of all, it is no longer the hassle than it once was to customize a product, particularly in the foodservice industry.
Customers like their food the way that they want it. Whether it is simply out of personal preference or something larger such as an allergy, you always want to give the customer the chance to adjust their order to their preference.
With the right software, they can simply add or remove side dishes and ingredients as they please. When they can customize their meals, customers are more likely to return because they know that they can get what they want precisely how they want it.
4. Easy-to-Use Interface
There are a ton of possibilities that these kiosks are opening. But it can be all too easy to complicate the interface and make it difficult for consumers to get the exact options that they were looking for. This is why simplicity is key.
Interfaces should be attractive and grab the attention of the customer. But functionality and ease of use are the most imperative parts. Make it simple for the consumer to get through the steps and complete their order.
The last thing that you want out of a self-service kiosk is for it to frustrate customers. Making it easy to use guarantees that they will come back again and again.
5. Diverse Payment Terminal
The way that customers pay is also changing. The traditional means are there – cash or credit – but more and more establishments are opening up the possibilities. PayPal, Bitcoin, and other forms of payment are now being accepted.
But most importantly, the payment process should be highly secure. Without a trusted form of payment, customers will not have the confidence that they need when making a purchase from your establishment.
Make sure that you have a payment terminal that can integrate things such as credit card processing or even take non-contact payments such as NFC. Versatility means a broader range of customers and it all equals money in the coffers of the business at the end of the day, which is the most important thing.
Explore Your Self-Ordering Kiosk Options
Now that you know what to look for when it comes to selecting the right self-ordering kiosk for your business, the sky is the limit. Start your market research and speak to the relevant providers to ensure a smooth ordering experience for your customers!
