We recently tried the online ordering system at Outback Steakhouse. I went to the Web site to simply download the menu for phone-in service, but decided to try the online ordering system as they seemed to be promoting it.
I was very impressed by the ability of the online system. You could really tell that the logistics had really been pondered. I think the user interface could use a bit of work in an effort to make things more intuitive, but it was certainly adequate.
The system allowed me to select various menu items, add special instructions to certain items (hold the onions, please), and used dynamic menus to present me with salad/site item choices. It also asked me what Make and Model of car I would be picking the order up in. What impressed me most was the ability to set my own pick-up time. Since I wanted to see the last 15 minutes of SportsCenter, I gave myself an extra 20 minutes by selecting my desired time from a drop-down selection.
I arrived a few minutes before the designated time. The attendant came out curb-side and, recognizing my car, asked if I was Matt! Pretty impressive. She took my card, came back with my receipt and order 1 minute prior to my requested pick-up time. Needless to say, I was very impressed.
My only complaint was that the “medium” steak I ordered was a bit on the rare side. I have to say that the convenience and ease of the online ordering system made up for any shortcomings in the order. I would definitely recommend it!
Posts Tagged ‘Internet Marketing’
Outback Steakhouse Does Online Ordering Right
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008Orlando PRSA Links
Thursday, May 17th, 2007I had the chance today to address a large group of public relations professionals at the Orlando chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (www.prsaorlando.org). As part of my talk, I promised to post some links of some of the sites we discussed. Here is a brief run-down:
– a great resource for keyword research
– Core Web principles to keep in mind
– powerful analytical tool for marketers
– a general description of the concept
– an oft-touted Web 2.0 concept in action
– likely game-changer in Web mobility
Thanks again to the group for having me…I genuinely enjoyed the exchange!
Yahoo’s Recent Re-design
Tuesday, October 10th, 2006BusinessWeek had a great article last week about the process Yahoo recently used to re-design its Web site. In my years consulting with corporations about re-design efforts, it is interesting to see the dynamics involved with design choices. Unfortunately, many of these efforts are about gut feelings, ego, or turf battles; every department or branch seems to want a link/icon/banner/button on the home page to gain exposure or generate traffic. Re-design efforts can often result in poor visual output and even poorer results.
The article chronicles Yahoo’s pragmatic, customer-centric process in which ego was checked at the door and actual cutomer data drove the endeavor.
Traffic, traffic, and more traffic…
Friday, September 22nd, 2006Copyblogger has a great list of resources regarding the ever-lingering and ever-changing concept of building Web site traffic…nice job on this post!
One strategy involves linking. Honeymoons, for example, are a good target.