Delivery apps have made it easier than ever for customers to find local businesses.
That does not mean every order has to go through them.
Many customers already communicate with businesses through WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging applications. Taking orders through these channels allows you to build a direct relationship with your customers instead of relying entirely on a third-party marketplace.
For many local businesses, this can be surprisingly simple. A customer sends a message, confirms the order, receives a delivery time, and pays at the door with cash, a card terminal, or an instant bank transfer. No marketplace commission is deducted from the sale, and the business remains in control of the customer relationship.
Delivery platforms still have an important role.
They are excellent for helping new customers discover your business.
But once a customer knows who you are, give them an easy way to order directly next time. A phone number, a WhatsApp button, or a simple ordering page can be enough for many neighborhood businesses.
The objective is not to replace delivery apps.
It is to make sure they are one sales channel, not your only one.
The best customer is not the one who orders through the marketplace.
It is the one who knows how to order from you directly.
Prepared by Anatolia Solutions Team