How to Get More Direct Orders

(and Stop Paying Commissions)

Every order that comes through DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub costs you 15–30% in commission. Every order that comes through your own app or website costs you a fraction of that. The math is simple — more direct orders means more revenue you actually keep.

But how do you get customers to order from you directly instead of defaulting to a third-party app? Here are the strategies that actually work.

1. Make Your Direct Ordering Link the Easiest Thing to Find

The number one reason customers order through third-party apps isn't loyalty to DoorDash — it's convenience. They search for your restaurant, the first result is a DoorDash link, and they click it.

Fix this by putting your direct ordering link everywhere:

• Google Business Profile — Update your website URL and add an "Order Online" action link that goes to your storefront or app download page. This is the highest-impact change you can make.
• Instagram and Facebook bios — Replace your generic website link with your ordering link.
• Your website — If you have a separate website, add a prominent "Order Now" button that links to your storefront.
• Google search results — Your Gegsy Storefront is a web page that Google can index, meaning customers searching for your restaurant may find your ordering page directly in search results.

Gegsy Tip: Your Gegsy Storefront link (yourrestaurant.gegsy.app) is shareable anywhere — social media, email, text messages, QR codes, even printed on a napkin.

2. Put QR Codes on Everything

QR codes are the bridge between your physical restaurant and your digital ordering channels.

Print QR codes that link to your storefront or app download page and put them on:

• Table tents and menus — "Scan to order ahead next time"
• Receipts — "Skip the line — order from our app"
• Takeout bags and delivery packaging — "Order directly from us next time and save"
• Window signage — "Scan to see our menu and order"
• Business cards — Include a QR code on the back

The bag insert is especially important for third-party delivery orders. When a customer receives a DoorDash order from you, a simple card in the bag that says "Next time, order directly from us — no delivery app fees" can convert that customer to a direct orderer.

3. Offer an Incentive for First-Time Direct Orders

Give customers a reason to switch from the third-party app to your direct channel.

• "DIRECT10" for 10% off your first order through our app or website
• Free item (cookie, drink, side) on first direct order
• Double loyalty points for the first week after downloading the app

You're essentially investing a small discount to acquire a customer who will then order from you directly going forward — saving you 15–30% on every future order.

Gegsy Tip: Create promo codes in your Gegsy dashboard that work across both your app and storefront. You can set them to single-use so each customer only gets the discount once.

4. Use Push Notifications Strategically

This is one of the biggest advantages of having your own mobile app. Push notifications land directly on your customers' phone screens — no email open rates to worry about, no algorithm filtering your posts.

Effective push notification strategies:

• Slow hour specials — "Beat the lunch rush — order now and pick up at noon. 15% off with code EARLYBIRD"
• Weather-based — "Rainy day? Stay in and let us deliver. Free delivery today only."
• New menu items — "Just added: our new Thai Iced Tea. Try it today!"
• Loyalty reminders — "You're 2 points away from a free drink. Order now to earn them."
• Weekend promotions — "Saturday brunch is better from home. Order catering for your group."

Gegsy Tip: Marketing push notifications are available on the Gegsy Pro plan. Transactional notifications (order confirmations, ready alerts) are included on all plans.

5. Train Your Staff to Mention It

Your front-of-house team interacts with customers every day. A simple mention goes a long way:

• "Did you know we have our own app? You can order ahead and skip the wait."
• "If you download our app, you'll earn loyalty points on every order."
• "We have a website where you can order delivery directly from us — no DoorDash fees."

Give your staff a script, and put a QR code at the register so customers can download the app or visit the storefront while they're standing there.

6. Leverage Your Existing Customer List

If you have customer emails or phone numbers through Square Marketing or another tool, use them:

• Send an email announcement about your app and storefront with a first-order promo code.
• Send a text message with your storefront link before your busy hours.
• Include a "Order Directly" callout in every email you send, even if the email is about something else.

You don't need a huge list. Even 200 email addresses can drive meaningful direct order volume if the message is clear and the incentive is strong.

7. Make the Experience Better Than Third-Party Apps

Once customers try your direct ordering channel, the experience needs to be good enough that they don't go back to DoorDash.

• Keep your menu updated with accurate prices, descriptions, and photos.
• Enable favorites and reordering so repeat customers can order in seconds.
• Respond to issues quickly — if an order goes wrong, your direct channel gives you the ability to make it right immediately.
• Use loyalty rewards to create a reason to keep coming back.

Gegsy Tip: Your Gegsy app syncs with Square in real time, so your menu is always accurate. Loyalty integration with Square means customers earn and redeem rewards automatically.

The Compound Effect

Every customer you convert from a third-party platform to a direct orderer saves you money on that order — and on every future order they place. Over time, the effect compounds:

• Month 1: 20% of your orders are direct. You save a little.
• Month 6: 50% of your orders are direct. You save significantly.
• Month 12: 70%+ of your orders are direct. Your margins are dramatically better.

The restaurants that win are the ones that treat direct ordering as an ongoing priority, not a one-time setup.

👉 Get your direct ordering channels set up today — mobile app and web storefront included with every Gegsy plan.