How would you like to grow your online food business and double your profits by up to 50%? 

Every food business owner dreams of having a steady stream of customers lining up for their delicious food. We wish we could say achieving this is as simple as creating a website and posting your dishes, but it's not.

That's just a piece of the puzzle. The real work is growing your online food business. How do you handle crises and turn negative reviews into a plus for your business? How do you get people to actually buy your food? What laws should you be aware of?

Well, this guide will help you grow your online food business.

How to Grow Your Online Food Business

1. Focus on your unique selling point (USP)

People are not going to come making orders just because you sell food. You need to identify and amplify a unique offer - super quick delivery, discounts, free extras, etc. A unique selling point is what will set you apart from the multitude of other online food businesses. It's the unique combination of qualities, features, or benefits that make your business stand out in the minds of consumers.

Your USP could be anything that resonates with your target audience and addresses a specific need or desire they have. It might be your secret recipes, locally sourced ingredients, environmental sustainability efforts, exceptional customer service, or a combination of these factors.

Essentially, it's what makes your business special and memorable to customers.

However, simply having a USP isn't enough. To truly grow your business, you must consistently emphasize and leverage your USP in all your marketing efforts. This means prominently featuring it on your website, in your advertising campaigns, and across your social media channels.

Your USP should be ingrained in your brand identity and messaging, in such a way that it becomes synonymous with your business in the minds of consumers.

For example, if your USP is offering various assorted dishes at an affordable price, make sure this message is communicated loud and clear in all your marketing materials. Your website should prominently display this offering, and your social media posts should reinforce it regularly. Over time, your USP should become ingrained in the minds of consumers, making your business the go-to choice for their food needs.

2. Optimize for local search  

Optimizing your product listings for local search is essential for ensuring that potential customers can find your offerings when searching for food products in your area.

This is because by incorporating relevant keywords and location information into your product listings, you increase the likelihood of appearing in local search results and attracting nearby customers.

The process of optimizing for local search involves strategically selecting keywords that people are likely to use when searching for your type of food products in your area.

For example, if you offer home-cooked Nigerian food in Ikeja, your product listings should include keywords like "home-cooked Nigerian food," "Ikeja," “Mainland” and other relevant terms that potential customers might use when searching online.

Additionally, including your location in your listing descriptions further reinforces your local presence and helps search engines understand the geographic relevance of your offerings. Descriptive phrases like "We provide delicious home-cooked Nigerian food in Ikeja" not only inform potential customers about your offerings but also signal to search engines that your business is relevant to searches related to Nigerian food on the mainland.

Furthermore, optimizing images by adding product names and locations to the "Alt text" section can improve the accessibility and relevance of your listings for search engines. Alt text provides valuable information about the content of images, allowing search engines to better index and understand the context of your products.

While optimizing for local search can seem daunting for small business owners, there are simpler alternatives available. For instance, using a website builder like Hivedeck that offers built-in SEO integrations can streamline the process and provide valuable support.

With Hivedeck, you not only get a professional website for your online food business but also access to a team of marketing professionals, SEO experts, designers, and developers who can help you effectively promote your business at no additional cost.

3. Take advantage of social media  

We cannot emphasize how essential social media is to growing your online food business. Platforms like TikTok, Google Business Profile, Instagram, and Facebook offer invaluable opportunities for visual marketing, allowing you to share mouthwatering photos of your food and reach a wider audience using relevant hashtags.

Furthermore, crafting engaging content is key to maximizing your impact on social media. Share stories about yourself, and your staff to humanize your brand and create connections with your audience. However, remember to exercise caution and avoid oversharing private information. Video content is particularly effective in capturing audience attention, so consider creating behind-the-scenes videos, making-of clips, or event coverage to showcase the passion and dedication behind your food business.

Providing valuable content in the form of tips and "how-to" guides is another effective strategy for engaging your audience. By sharing your expertise and offering useful insights, you demonstrate the value of your products and build trust with potential customers. However, always include a link to your online store in your social media posts to drive traffic and encourage conversions.

Participating in social media challenges and creating your own on platforms like TikTok can also help increase your brand visibility and engagement. However, let your focus be on making fun challenges people will love to participate in and not solely in only promoting your brand.

4. Be prompt in customer engagement 

Excellent customer service is key to creating a good impression for your brand and ultimately promoting your online food business, and being prompt in your replies plays a key role in this. When customers reach out to you with queries, complaints, or feedback, responding promptly demonstrates your commitment to their satisfaction and showcases your professionalism.

It shows that you value their time and concerns, which can significantly impact how they perceive your business and their overall opinion of you.

Furthermore, prompt responses to customer inquiries and feedback are crucial in the digital age where perceptions can spread quickly through online reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations.

Remember, by addressing customer queries and resolving complaints in a timely manner, you not only retain existing customers but also demonstrate to potential customers that you prioritize their needs and are dedicated to providing exceptional service.

In an era where customer service still holds significant sway over consumer decisions, being prompt in your responses can help you build trust, enhance your brand reputation, and ultimately drive the success of your online food business.

5. Encourage customer reviews  

What's the first thing you do when you want to buy a skincare product or a new piece of clothing? Chances are, you'll likely check for reviews.

It's natural human behavior to seek reassurance and validation from the experiences of others before making a purchase. Customer reviews serve as invaluable social proof that potential buyers rely on to assess the quality of products, the level of customer service, and the trustworthiness of a brand. Therefore, encouraging customers to provide genuine reviews is essential if you want to grow your online food business.

Customer reviews provide valuable insights for prospective buyers and play a crucial role in shaping the reputation of your online food business. For instance, positive reviews can attract new customers and build trust in your brand, while negative reviews offer opportunities for improvement and showcase your commitment to addressing customer concerns.

Moreover, once customers provide reviews, it's essential to promote them across all your platforms. Highlighting positive feedback on your website, social media channels, and marketing materials can further enhance your brand's reputation and encourage trust among potential customers.

6. Reward customers regularly  

Who doesn't love to be rewarded? We know we do, and we bet your customers will love it even more. Rewarding customers regularly is a great way to incentivize repeat purchases, foster loyalty, and ultimately grow your online food business.

One effective way to reward customers is through loyalty programs. These programs offer incentives such as points, discounts, or freebies to customers who make frequent purchases or engage with your brand regularly.

Remember, by rewarding customers for their loyalty, you not only encourage them to continue choosing your business but also make them feel valued and appreciated.

Another strategy to reward customers regularly is by offering discount codes or special promotions. Providing exclusive discounts or limited-time offers to loyal customers can create a sense of exclusivity and urgency, prompting them to make a purchase and take advantage of the savings. Additionally, offering discounts can help attract new customers and incentivize them to try your products for the first time.

Furthermore, rewarding customers regularly can also include personalized perks or surprises based on their purchase history or engagement with your brand. Whether it's a birthday discount, a free drink with their order, or a personalized thank-you note, these small gestures can go a long way in strengthening customer relationships and fostering loyalty.

7. Set up your Google Business Profile  

Google Business Profile is an effective way to establish and enhance your online presence, particularly for your food business. By setting up your Google Business Profile, you can ensure that your business information appears prominently in Google search results and on Google Maps. This not only increases your visibility to potential customers but also provides them with essential details about your business, such as your address, contact information, hours of operation, and customer reviews.

Having a well-optimized Google Business Profile is essential for attracting local customers to your food business. When users search for food-related queries in your area, your business listing will appear prominently, making it easier for them to discover and engage with your offerings.

Additionally, by providing accurate and up-to-date information on your profile, you instill trust and credibility in potential customers, increasing the likelihood of them choosing your business over competitors.

Google Business Profile also offers various features that can further enhance your online visibility and engagement with customers. You can add photos of your food offerings, showcase customer reviews, and even post updates or promotions directly to your profile.

8.  Email marketing  

Email marketing is a powerful tool for engaging with your customers and driving sales for your online food business. By sending out regular emails to your customer base, you can keep them informed about new menu items, special offers, and the latest updates from your business.

This direct communication channel allows you to stay top-of-mind with your audience and provide them with valuable information that keeps them coming back for more.

One of the key benefits of email marketing is the ability to offer exclusive discounts and offers to your email subscribers. For instance, by providing special deals that are only available to your email customers, you can incentivize them to make purchases and drive revenue for your business. These exclusive offers not only reward your loyal customers but also encourage them to stay subscribed to your email list to receive future promotions.

However, it's essential to strike a balance with your email marketing efforts to ensure that they don't become a bother to your customers. Avoid bombarding their inboxes with too many emails, which can lead to unsubscribe requests and a negative perception of your brand. Instead, consider sending emails on a regular but reasonable basis, such as once a month, and offer valuable content in addition to promotions, such as tips, recipes, or behind-the-scenes insights.

9. Packaging and branding  

Packaging and branding play a crucial role in distinguishing your online food business and creating a memorable experience for your customers. Effective packaging not only protects your products during transit but also serves as a tangible representation of your brand identity.

When designing your packaging, consider factors such as the quality of materials, visual aesthetics, and functionality.

Invest in high-quality packaging materials that reflect the premium nature of your products and ensure that they arrive safely and intact.

Additionally, design your packaging with your brand's colors, logos, and imagery to create a cohesive and recognizable brand identity. This consistency across packaging helps reinforce brand recall and fosters trust and loyalty among your customers.

To stand out in branding, online food businesses can employ various strategies to make a lasting impression on customers. One tip is to prioritize sustainability and eco-friendliness in your packaging and branding.

With increasing environmental consciousness among consumers, showcasing your commitment to sustainability can be a powerful differentiator. Consider using eco-friendly materials, minimal packaging, and recyclable or biodegradable options to appeal to environmentally conscious customers and align with their values.

You can also consider innovative packaging solutions by incorporating interactive elements or functional features into your packaging, such as QR codes for accessing recipes or cooking instructions, reusable containers, or creative designs that engage the senses.

Remember, by thinking outside the box and offering unique packaging experiences, you can create memorable moments that leave a lasting impression on your customers and set your brand apart from competitors.

10. Turn Lemons into lemonades  

"Turning lemons to lemonades" in the context of an online food business refers to the art of transforming challenges or setbacks into opportunities for positive publicity and brand enhancement.

When faced with a crisis or negative feedback, you can turn lemons into lemonade by using the opportunity to showcase your resilience and commitment to customer satisfaction. Address negative reviews or feedback directly. This will help to demonstrate your accountability and genuine desire to resolve any issues.

Apologize sincerely, offer solutions, and take proactive steps to rectify the situation.

Additionally, leverage the crisis as a chance to reinforce your brand's values and strengths. Emphasize positive aspects of your business that may have been overshadowed by the negative incident. Share stories or examples of how your business has positively impacted other customers or contributed to the community.

For instance, imagine a restaurant business receives a negative review from a dissatisfied customer, which subsequently gains traction on social media, sparking discussions about the business. Instead of allowing the negative review to tarnish its reputation, the restaurant can seize the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to customer satisfaction.

They can publicly address the issue on social media, acknowledging the customer's concerns and expressing genuine regret for the experience. Then, they can offer a heartfelt apology and a proactive solution, such as inviting the customer back for a complimentary meal to make amends.

How Hivedeck can help

Beyond offering a platform to increase online visibility by building a website, the Hivedeck team can guide you through other stages of growing your business, such as email marketing, web design, SEO, content and copywriting, and more.

To find out more, feel free to message us at [email protected].