Delivery marketplaces changed how people order takeaway. They bring new customers, but they usually take a percentage of every order. For many takeaways, a large share of online sales now goes through platforms that keep a cut, including orders from customers who have ordered from the shop for years.
Commission-free online ordering means taking orders through your own branded website and mobile app, so the customer orders from you directly.
What commission really costs you
The maths is simple, but the totals often surprise owners. Multiply your weekly online orders by your average order value, then by your commission rate:
Example: 150 orders a week × £22 average order = £3,300 a week in online sales. At 25% commission, that's £825 a week, or about £42,900 a year.
Commission rates vary by platform and contract, so use your own figures. Our commission calculator does the sums for you.
Commission also affects pricing. Many takeaways raise their marketplace prices to cover fees, which can make them look expensive next to competitors.
Why owning your customer data matters
When an order comes through a marketplace, the platform owns the relationship. When a customer orders from your own website or app, the order and the customer's details go into your database. That lets you:
- Recognise regulars when they call, with Caller ID linked to your database
- See who orders, how often and what they like
- Plan local marketing, such as leaflet drops, around where your customers actually are
- Set your own prices, deals and delivery areas
Marketplaces and direct ordering together
You don't have to leave the marketplaces. Many successful takeaways use them to find new customers and their own app to keep them. The key is having everything on one system. With RamTD, Uber Eats and Deliveroo orders arrive on the same till as your phone, counter, website and app orders, so the kitchen sees one queue.
How to move regulars to your own app
- Tell every customer. Put your website address on receipts, bags, leaflets and your shop window.
- Make direct ordering the better deal. If your marketplace prices include commission, your direct prices can be lower. Customers notice.
- Make it easy. A fast, branded app with your full menu makes ordering direct as convenient as a marketplace.
- Use your screens. Digital menu boards in your shop can promote your app to every collection customer.
- Keep the experience consistent. Direct orders should go straight to the kitchen, just like phone orders, so service is just as fast.
What you need to get started
- A branded ordering website and mobile app built for your shop
- Online payments integrated with your till
- An EPOS that receives web and app orders directly, with no re-keying
- Delivery management: driver screen, prioritising by location and tracking
RamTD provides all of these in one system. We build bespoke web applications and websites for individual shops, so you keep full control of your sales without sharing your profit with others. As one customer, Ali Noha, put it: “Very good service, no hidden cost, no commission. Highly recommended.”
Next step: see how RamTD online ordering works, or talk to our team about an app for your shop.