Introduction
The way people order food has changed dramatically in recent years. For restaurants and cafés, having a strong online presence is no longer optional—it’s essential. Traditionally, many restaurants have relied heavily on third-party food delivery apps to reach customers. While these apps provide visibility, they also come with challenges: high commission fees, limited control over branding, and little access to customer data.
That’s where online storefronts come in.
An online storefront is your restaurant’s very own website. Instead of relying solely on delivery aggregators, this gives you control over how customers browse your menu, place orders, and pay digitally. In this guide, we’ll explore what an online storefront is, why it matters for restaurants, how it works, and how you can start building one today.
What Exactly Is an Online Storefront?
Put simply, an online storefront is an online representation of your restaurant.
Think of it as your virtual shopfront: diners click on your unique store link, browse your menu, select items, pay, and then either have their food delivered or pick it up at your restaurant.
The biggest difference between an online storefront and a delivery app is control. With your own storefront, your brand is front and center—you decide how your page looks, which dishes you feature, and how customers experience your ordering process. It’s your menu, your branding, your rules.
Why Do Restaurants Need an Online Storefront?
For restaurants, relying only on delivery apps is like renting space in a crowded food hall—you get exposure, but you don’t own the space, you pay steep rent, and you’re surrounded by competitors. An online storefront, on the other hand, is like running your own restaurant—you set the rules, showcase your unique brand, and keep more of your revenue.
Here’s why it matters:
1. Build Direct Customer Relationships
On third-party platforms, customers often associate their meal with the app—not your restaurant. An online storefront changes that. Customers see your logo, colors, and message, building loyalty directly with your brand.
For example, a café with its own online storefront can create a direct ordering habit for its regulars. Instead of scrolling past competitors on an app, those customers can head straight to the café’s storefront to order their favorite latte or pastry.
2. Save on Commission Fees
Delivery apps typically charge 15–30% per order, eating into already thin restaurant margins. With an online storefront, you keep more of your profits. Instead of paying commissions on every transaction, you usually only pay a flat fee to maintain your storefront—making it far more sustainable.
Even shifting a fraction of your loyal customers to direct online ordering can have a noticeable impact on your bottom line.
3. Control Branding and Promotions
With your own online storefront, you decide what diners see first. Want to push a new seasonal dish? Offer bundle promos? Update photos instantly? You can—without being limited by an aggregator’s template or rules.
You also ensure accuracy. Many restaurants suffer from outdated menus on delivery apps, which frustrates customers. With your own storefront, you can update dishes, pricing, and availability in real time.
4. Access to Customer Data
Third-party platforms rarely share customer data with restaurants. You may know that someone ordered, but not who they are, what they ordered most, or if they came back.
With your online storefront, you can track trends, identify repeat customers, and collect data for marketing. Imagine knowing which dish sells best on weekends, or which promo codes generate repeat orders—information that helps you plan smarter menus and campaigns.
How Does an Online Storefront Work?
The process is simple:
- Customers click on your unique storefront link, which you can share on social media, receipts, posters, or QR codes inside your restaurant.
- They browse your menu—complete with photos, descriptions, and prices—on a branded, mobile-friendly page.
- They place their order and pay via card, e-wallet, or cash.
- The order is automatically dispatched for delivery or prepared for pickup.
For customers, it feels just as smooth as using a delivery app—but with one key difference: they’re ordering directly from your restaurant.
Online Storefront vs. Food Delivery Apps
Both play a role, but in different ways.
- Food delivery apps: Great for discovery and bringing in first-time diners.
- Online storefronts: Ideal for building loyalty and repeat orders while avoiding high commissions.
Smart restaurants use both. For example, you might let new customers discover you on delivery apps, then encourage direct orders next time with a flyer or QR code that links to your online storefront.
Examples of Online Storefronts for Restaurants
Many restaurants already benefit from having their own online storefronts:
- Quick-service restaurants use them for fast pickup and delivery orders.
- Cafés and bakeries let customers pre-order drinks or pastries to avoid waiting in line.
- Bubble tea shops use QR codes linking to their storefronts so customers can order in advance.
One example is klikit Webshop, our very own online storefront platform. Restaurants can launch their own online storefront without the hefty third-party fees—benefiting both the restaurant and their customers. This helps reduce costs while giving the restaurant access to powerful analytics that they can use for marketing and loyalty initiatives. Plus, operations are streamlined from end to end: from order taking to order fulfillment, klikit manages everything for you, while you oversee it all in one simple platform.
How to Set Up Your Online Storefront
Creating your own online storefront doesn’t have to be difficult. Here’s how most restaurants do it:
- Choose a platform – Use a provider like klikit that specializes in online storefronts.
- Upload your menu – Add photos, descriptions, and pricing.
- Customize branding – Apply your logo, colors, and brand personality.
- Enable payments – Accept credit cards, e-wallets, and cash on delivery.
- Launch & promote – Share your online storefront link everywhere—social media, posters, flyers, receipts, and staff recommendations.
Tips to Make Your Online Storefront Successful
- Optimize for mobile – Most orders will come from phones.
- Use strong visuals – High-quality food photos boost conversions.
- Write enticing menu descriptions – Highlight bestsellers and unique items.
- Offer exclusive promos – Example: “Get free delivery on your first online storefront order.”
- Promote consistently – QR codes, newsletters, and social posts drive traffic.
- Encourage repeat visits – Run loyalty programs or feature storefront-only specials.
- Collect feedback – Use reviews and data insights to refine your menu.
Conclusion
An online storefront is more than just a digital menu—it’s your restaurant’s direct channel to customers. By setting one up, you can save on commissions, control your branding, and build stronger relationships with loyal diners.
While food delivery apps still have their place for discovery, your online storefront ensures customers know exactly where to order from you—without the extra costs.
If you’re ready to take control of your restaurant’s online orders, now’s the time to start. Our solution, klikit Webshop, makes it easy to launch your online storefront in minutes, so you can focus on what matters most: serving great food and building loyal customer relationships.
