May 30, 2023 - 6 min reading time

Effective online ordering system hospitality industry: here's how it works

Learn more about choosing a payment system for your hospitality industry here. Read about factors such as cost, reliability, integration and more.

A group of people eat and drink after ordering from online ordering system hospitality industry

Finding the right payment system

Choosing an online ordering system hospitality industry is an important step for any business. There are many different payment systems available, each with their own unique features and benefits. When choosing a payment system, it is important to consider factors such as cost, reliability, acceptable payment methods and the ability to integrate with other systems. But how do you find the right system for your hospitality business? In this article we would like to take you through key steps on the way to a good and efficient system.

Someone pays with their phone through an online ordering system hospitality industry

Finding the best payment system: what to look for?

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right cashless payment system for your hospitality business. We'd like to tell you more about them below!

  • The functionalities

It is important to choose a system that meets your specific needs. For example, see if the system is compatible with your existing hardware, if it is capable of processing loyalty cards and if it can generate reports.

  • Integration with other systems

Make sure the POS system can be integrated with other systems you use, such as an accounting program or inventory management system.

  • Usability

Choose a system that is easy for you and your employees to use. This can be achieved, for example, through intuitive design or availability of training and support.

  • Reliability

Make sure the system is reliable and that support is available quickly if there are problems.

  • Price

Compare different systems and their prices to make sure you get the best system for your budget.

Functionalities

A payment system has different functionalities, depending on the specific solution being used. Below are some of the most common functionalities a payment system can offer:

Accepting payments:

The system should be able to accept payments through various payment methods, such as credit card, debit card, bank transfer or e-wallets.

Safety:

The system must meet security requirements, such as PCI DSS, to protect payments from fraud and theft of personal data.

Integration:

The system should be easily integrated with other software, such as e-commerce platforms, accounting systems or CRM systems.

Payment statuses:

The system must be able to track payment statuses such as completed, canceled, rejected or declined.

Reporting:

The system must be able to generate reports on transactions, such as sales statistics, payments by means of payment, and fraud and risk profiles.

Refunds:

The system must be able to process refunds, such as refunds to customers or chargebacks to credit cards.

Customer Service:

The system should provide customer service for support with problems with payments or other questions customers may have.

Ordering system catering at an event

Integration with other systems

Integrating a payment system with other systems is an important functionality for many businesses and organizations that conduct (online) transactions. By integrating a payment system with other systems such as order pillars, e-commerce platforms, accounting systems or CRM systems, you can create more efficient processes and improve the customer experience.

It is important to remember that integration not only makes processes more efficient, but also improves the customer experience, as customers can pay faster and more easily, and payment transactions can be tracked in their customer profile.

Usability

The usability of a payment system is of great importance in the hospitality industry because it determines how easy the system is to use for both the hospitality operator and the customers. A user-friendly payment system can improve the customer experience and allow customers to make payments more quickly and easily. In the hospitality industry, there are specific requirements for a payment system. Consider, for example:

  • Mobile payments

The system should support mobile payments, allowing customers to pay their bills quickly without waiting for a statement.

  • Split bill

The system should allow for bill splitting so that customers can pay their own portion of the bill.

  • Checkout at the table

The system should allow for checkout at the table, so customers do not have to get up and walk to a cash register.

  • Integration with ordering and menu systems

The system must have the ability to integrate with ordering and menu systems so that orders and payments can be linked automatically.

  • Reports

The system should provide the ability to generate reports on sales, payments and customer data so that the hospitality entrepreneur has insight into the performance of his business.

  • Customer Satisfaction

The system should provide the ability to measure customer satisfaction so that the hospitality operator can see what the customer experience is like and what improvements can be made.

A group of people eat and drink after ordering from online ordering system hospitality industry

Reliability

Reliability and support are crucial aspects when choosing a payment system for the hospitality industry. A reliable system is critical because it ensures that payments are processed quickly and efficiently, without unnecessary delays or downtime. This is important for both the hospitality operator and the customers because it improves the customer experience and ensures that payments can be made quickly and easily.

In addition, security of personal data is an important aspect of reliability. A trustworthy system should provide good security measures to protect customer privacy and prevent personal data from falling into the wrong hands.

Support is also very important with a payment system in the hospitality industry. A system must be maintained regularly and provide good customer service for problems with payments or other questions customers or the hospitality operator may have. A system that solves problems quickly and efficiently helps avoid unnecessary delays and reduces the risk of lost revenue.

Comparing prices payment systems

If you're looking for a way for customers to pay in your hospitality business, it's smart to check out several options before making a choice. Here are a few things to look out for when comparing prices of payment systems in the hospitality industry:

Transaction costs

Pay attention to the transaction fees charged for each payment. Some payment systems charge a flat fee per transaction, while others charge a percentage of the sale.

Monthly or annual fees

Some payment systems ask you for money every month or year to use their system. Check the costs of different systems to see which is cheapest for your business.

Additional costs

Note if there are additional costs, such as fees for installing or maintaining the system, or fees for using certain features.

Opportunities

Pay attention to the features and capabilities of different payment systems. For example, some systems offer the ability to checkout at the table or generate reports, while others do not.

Integration

Note the ability to integrate with other systems, such as ordering and menu systems. This can help automatically link orders and payments and increase efficiency.

Someone pays with their debit card at a POS system

Choosing a payment system - Sjef helps

Choosing a good payment system for your hospitality business is important and can significantly impact operations and customer experience. When looking for such a system, it is smart to check for transaction costs, monthly or annual fees, additional costs, features and capabilities, integration, reliability and support. With our information, you have all the tools to make a smart choice for the best payment system that suits your hospitality business. 

Wondering what Sjef can do for you? No problem, contact us today.

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