You make one heck of a pizza. Friends and family have praised your pie-making skills for years. Now, you’ve decided to take the plunge and go professional. With an awesome product to sell, you’re ready to start an online pizza delivery business.
The first thing to know is that running an online pizza delivery business is different from operating a local pizzeria. The expectations, service execution, and relationship with your customers are on a whole new level. Online delivery opens your business to a vast audience, far beyond what you might have imagined.
To help you turn your idea into a successful business, here are some practical steps to get your online pizza delivery service up and running, enabling you to compete with top pizza delivery businesses.
Understanding the Pizza Delivery Market
In the United States alone, there are over 78,000 pizzerias, and Americans spent around $14 billion on pizza delivery in 2020. Understanding what works and what doesn’t in this industry is crucial to staying afloat when you’re just starting.
Make a Plan
Begin with a solid plan and set realistic expectations. Where do you see yourself in the next few years? Use this plan as a roadmap and refer back to it regularly to stay on track. Click here to make a plan with us
Learn From Your Competition
Identify your competitors, such as Pizza Hut, Domino’s, and Little Caesar’s. Don’t be intimidated by these big names. Instead, draw inspiration from them. Observe what they do right and think about how you can improve on it. Consider ordering pizzas from them to evaluate their service firsthand. Note the best aspects of their service and the areas where they fall short.
Know Your Customers
Your customers are the most important aspect of your business. In a competitive market, assumptions about customer profiles can waste time and money. Expect most of your customers to be between the ages of 18 and 35. States like West Virginia, Delaware, and New Jersey have high concentrations of pizza lovers. Understanding your target audience helps you plan effective marketing campaigns.
How Much Does it Cost to Start an Online Pizza Delivery Business?
Starting from scratch, you should budget between $35,000 and $55,000. If you already own a pizza restaurant, you might need only half that amount to take your business online.
Launch or Update Your Pizzeria Website
Create or upgrade your website to be responsive and user-friendly, making it easy for customers to order pizzas. Use free content management systems like WordPress, or platforms like Ecwid to build a storefront. Key features to include are:
- Cash-on-delivery payment options
- Mobile payments (e.g., Apple Pay)
- Tipping options
- Curbside pickup
- Delivery zones with automated rates
Ecwid also offers mobile-friendly design themes, social channel integrations, and various marketing tools.
What are the Most-Craved Pizza Toppings?
Make what the customers want. According to research by Brian Roemmele on Quora, the most popular pizza toppings are:
- Pepperoni: 36% of pizza orders
- Sausage: 14% of orders
- Mushrooms: 11% of orders
- Cheese: 10% of orders
Chicken: 8% of orders
Other popular toppings include beef, onions, and olives. Focus on these unless your business model centers around unique toppings.
The Best Pizza Delivery Business Services to Use
Delivering pizzas hot and fresh is crucial. Here are some top food delivery services:
- Grubhub: Delivers to over 4,000 US cities with multiple payment options.
- Uber Eats: Integrated with Uber, serving over 500 cities in 24+ countries, offering real-time delivery tracking.
DoorDash: Customer-friendly, reduces service fees, no minimum order restrictions, serves over 4,000 cities in the US, Canada, and Australia.
Your Own Website
Having your own website is essential to establish credibility. Platforms like Ecwid allow you to create an online small business for free and accept payments with zero commission.
Conclusion
The global pandemic has increased the demand for online pizza delivery business. When starting your business, study the competition to learn from their successes and mistakes. Remember, your customer is the most important part of the business. Optimize your website for the best user experience and hire reliable food delivery services. With dedication and smart planning, you can rise to the top of the pizza delivery industry.
