Is your restaurant online? Only a few years ago, we weren’t sure that SpeedLine needed a Web site at all. Today, the majority of our new business comes to us via the Web.

Delivery, carryout, and catering operations looking at online ordering today may be asking a similar question: Is it worth it? For a growing number of SpeedLine customers, the answer is yes.

In fact, many SpeedLine users already accept online orders on their Web sites. Online ordering provides all kinds of flexibility to give your customers new ways to order. People who order online appreciate the convenience. You can expect to gain some new business for that reason alone – particularly if you cater lunches to businesses or operate near a university. Easy online access enables viewers to browse through all your menu selections. That's why, statistically, people tend to spend more when they order online, so you can expect higher sales from your existing customers who use the online service too.

On top of that, as more of your customers begin to order online, you will gain the ability to handle more sales with less staff. In addition, an online ordering form gives you another way to collect customers’ email addresses – which opens up new opportunities for cost-effective customer marketing.

You can integrate your existing Web site — or choose your own remote ordering service or Web developer.

The right POS can accept orders directly from your Web site. Orders print automatically in your kitchen (or appear on your kitchen displays).

Will enough of your customers order online to make it worthwhile? You’ll need to answer that for yourself. But a few years ago, would you have guessed that you’d be reading this article online?