Food delivery: how to stand out from the competition

Do you know what makes a food delivery business truly successful? Apart from the fact that the food arrives on time and is delicious. In cities where new delivery services are popping up at every turn, not everyone manages to stay afloat, let alone stand out. But I have some secrets that will help you not just survive, but become leaders.

In this article, I'll show you how to turn an ordinary food delivery business into something more, meeting the needs of customers at every step. From the right choice of location to original advertising ideas, from openness of processes in the kitchen to unique marketing strategies.

Choosing a location: why big cities are the perfect place for delivery

Are you thinking of launching a delivery business? That's great! But where exactly should you set up shop? If you are choosing between a big city and a small town, the answer may surprise you.

In fact, big cities, or as we (marketers) call them "big GEOs," create ideal conditions for the development of this type of business. Why? Because here, despite the seemingly impenetrable wall of competition, there is always room for a newcomer. That's because big cities have one huge advantage: an endless stream of potential customers.

In small towns, the situation is completely different. Here, everyone knows everyone, and it's much harder for a new business to find a customer. The customer base is limited, and word of a new delivery does not spread as quickly as in a big city. Yes, there may be less competition here, but the opportunities for rapid growth are as numerous as the fingers of one hand.

So, if you're still wondering where to start in the world of delivery, let's face it: big cities offer a lot of opportunities. And although you will face a number of challenges here, including high competition, a large base of potential customers is the very lifeline that will help your business not just survive, but thrive.

The importance of quality food presentation

What could be more important than a first impression? Especially when it comes to food. When your potential customers have not yet had the opportunity to try your food, the key to success is to make them want to do so. And this requires a high-quality food presentation.

Don't think you can just take a picture of a burger on the kitchen table and post it on Instagram.? You shouldn't do it on tablecloths, on windowsills, or in basements where food is being prepared. No, no, professionalism is required here.

High-quality food photography requires not only a good camera, but also the ability to properly present the dish, choose the angle, lighting, and decor. That's why working with a professional food photographer and using a specialized studio is not only justified, but also critical. Your photos should arouse the appetite, make the saliva flow, and make the customer click the "order" button.

The importance of flavor and food safety

But what if the food looks appealing but doesn't live up to expectations in terms of taste? Or even worse, what if it's stale or even dangerous to your health? This brings us to the second critical aspect - food quality and safety.

Freshness, cleanliness, and the absence of any cases of poisoning should be the credo of everyone working in the food delivery industry. No amount of marketing will save the business if customers start doubting the quality of the products. Reviews of bad food spread like viruses, and it is extremely difficult to restore reputation after such incidents.

Customer retention strategies

If you want to lure customers to your business, you need a great loyalty program. Here's your trick up your sleeve to turn an ordinary visitor into a fan.

Loyalty system

Attracting a new customer is always more difficult and expensive than retaining an existing one. That's why a smart loyalty system is not just a "nice bonus" but a strategically important tool for any business, especially in the food delivery industry. How does it work? It's very simple. You offer discounts, gifts, or special offers to those who order regularly.

Examples of effective loyalty programs include a discount for every fifth order, a free dessert with orders on a certain day of the week, or redeemable points for free meals. Such programs not only encourage customers to place repeat orders, but also create a positive experience with your brand, which is key to building long-term relationships.

The importance of OLTV (Lifetime Value)

OLTV (Lifetime Value) is a metric that measures the total amount a customer can spend in your business during the time they interact with you. Increasing OLTV is a process that requires not only attractive loyalty programs, but also constant attention to product and service quality. If your food is tasty, fresh, clean, and has never caused poisoning, customers will not only come back again and again, but will also be more likely to recommend you to their friends and acquaintances.

Stand out from the competition

There are already many food delivery services on the market, so it's important for you to not just be another one on the list. It's time to show that you have something that others don't.

Unique selling proposition (USP)

You need to be the one who stands out, who is memorable, and who has something unique that attracts customers to you. This is your USP - a unique selling proposition. What can it be? There are many possibilities.

First, think about what makes your delivery special. Maybe you offer the fastest delivery in town? Or does your menu include exclusive dishes that can't be found anywhere else? Perhaps your specialty is special dietary or vegan dishes that meet certain dietary preferences or restrictions. It's important to find what makes you unique and actively capitalize on it.

Price competition

If finding a unique niche proves difficult, there is always price competition. But be careful: competing to lower prices can lead to a "race to the bottom" where no one wins. Instead, try to find a balance between competitive pricing and maintaining the quality and value of your service.

Pricing strategies may include flexible pricing plans, seasonal discounts, or special offers for new or loyal customers. It is important to remember that price is not the only factor that customers pay attention to. They are often willing to pay more for higher quality, better service, or for the opportunity to support a business that shares their values.

Landing page optimization

Your landing page is your face to your customers. It's the first thing they see, and it should be love at first sight. But what makes a landing page not just good, but perfect?

The importance of copywriting and design

The first impression is not only about the look, but also about the feeling that the page evokes in the visitor. Copywriting should be such that the reader can "taste" your food while still at the stage of choice. The texts should be appetizing, attractive, and able to convince the customer that your food is what he or she needs right now.

The design, in turn, should complement the text, emphasizing the quality and appeal of your food. Visual elements, such as photos of dishes, color schemes, and fonts, should be chosen to arouse appetite and the desire to order food immediately.

The need for ease of navigation and the purchase process

The technical aspect of your landing page is no less important. The navigation should be intuitive, and the process of choosing dishes and placing an order should be as simple and fast as possible. The customer should not spend time figuring out how to add a dish to the cart or how to proceed to payment. The faster and more conveniently a visitor can place an order, the more likely they are to do so.

Landing page optimization is not a one-time process. It is an ongoing effort to improve the user experience, analyze visitor behavior, and make the necessary adjustments. Your goal is to make sure that everyone who comes to your website not only orders food, but also wants to come back again.

Marketing strategies

In the pursuit of customer attention, your advertising must not only be creative, but always one step ahead. Don't give your competitors a chance to get ahead of you.

Creativity in advertising

Competition never sleeps, and creativity in advertising is not just a tool for attracting attention, but a necessity. It is important not only to attract the attention of potential customers, but also to keep it, to make them remember you. This means that promotional materials need to be updated regularly to keep them fresh and relevant.

Effective promotions can include unique offers, such as buy one get one free, seasonal discounts, or exclusive dishes available for a limited time only. Creative ideas, such as games or contests on social media, can also be effective, as they not only attract attention but also encourage interaction.

Use of outdoor advertising

The impact of outdoor advertising on business scaling and brand awareness cannot be underestimated. Banners, billboards, advertising in supermarkets or even in the subway can be powerful tools to increase your brand awareness. When people see the name of your food delivery service everywhere, they start to trust it more because it becomes familiar and reliable.

This recognition translates into trust, and trust translates into orders. If you can't compete on price, your brand recognition can be the advantage that makes customers choose you. People are willing to pay more for products from a brand they trust.

Regularly analyzing the effectiveness of your advertising campaigns will help you understand what works best for your target audience, allowing you to optimize your marketing efforts to achieve the best results.

Bonus: How to increase customer trust

Want to build your customers' trust? Show them your kitchen and the cooking process. Today, business transparency in the food industry is not just important, it's critical. Share videos or photos that show your chefs creating culinary masterpieces using quality ingredients. Not only will this increase customer confidence, but it will also engage them more by creating an emotional connection with your brand.

And remember, the most important thing in the food delivery business is not just to feed the customer, but to make them come back to you again and again. Now that you are armed with knowledge, it's time to act! Don't be afraid to experiment, try new approaches, and bring your wildest ideas to life. Your customers will appreciate the innovative approach and will undoubtedly prefer your service over many others.

And if you're interested in learning more about each of the promotion points or getting acquainted with real cases of our clients, I invite you to visit our Facebook page. There you will find a lot of valuable information that will help your business grow and prosper. Don't miss the opportunity to take your food delivery to the next level!