77% of Diners Visit Your Website First—Make Sure They Can Book and Pay, or Risk Losing Them

Today’s diners expect an easy and reliable way to book a table online. Research shows that 77% of diners visit a restaurant's website before they decide to dine in or order takeout, which underscores the importance of an online booking system that offers immediate, secure reservations.

But even with reservations, restaurants face an ongoing challenge with no-shows and last-minute cancellations.

The Cost of No-Shows for Restaurants?

No-shows and cancellations can be costly, leaving tables empty during peak hours and creating wasted resources for restaurant staff. For high-demand spots, a single no-show may mean missed revenue that’s impossible to recoup. Traditional booking methods don’t prevent this issue because they lack commitment from diners, who often cancel at the last minute or don’t show up at all.

The Solution: Prepayments and Card Tokenization

Incorporating online payments, especially through prepayments and card tokenization, offers a powerful solution. Here’s how they work:

1. Prepayments: When diners pay a small deposit or the full meal cost upfront, it helps ensure commitment. Prepayments also enable restaurants to cover potential losses if someone cancels, safeguarding revenue.

2. Card Tokenization: With tokenization, diners’ card details are securely stored as encrypted tokens when they reserve a table. This straightforward security measure provides diners with peace of mind and restaurants with reliable protection.

How Online Reservations and Payments Boost Bookings

? Convenience: Diners prefer an easy online booking and payment experience.

? Commitment: Prepayments and tokenization prompt diners to honor their reservation. With an upfront payment or stored card, they’re less likely to cancel at the last minute, ensuring that reserved tables are likely to be filled.

? Upsell Opportunities: Restaurants can leverage prepayments to offer special options, like premium seating or add-ons, at the time of booking.

In today’s digital era, an online booking system with payment capabilities is essential. It reduces cancellations, protects revenue, and allows restaurants to keep up with the high expectations of modern diners. So if your restaurant hasn’t integrated online payments with reservations, it’s time to consider the benefits. Embrace these tools to make booking more convenient and secure—for both your restaurant and your diners.