Want to Sell Through Delivery Platforms? What Should You Prepare?

Want to Sell Through Delivery? Here's What You Need to Prepare

In the past, coffee shops simply waited for customers to walk in. Today, however, many customers prefer to open their phones, order coffee with just a few taps, and have it delivered to their homes or offices.

For many cafés, delivery sales account for more than 50% of their daily revenue, while others receive very few orders.

The difference is not just about taste. It depends on one important question:

Is your coffee shop truly ready for delivery sales?

Today, let's look at what coffee shop owners should prepare to succeed in the delivery business.

🛵 1. Choose the Right Delivery Platform

The major delivery platforms in Thailand include:

GrabFood

Advantages

• Large customer base

• Stable ordering system

• Promotional campaigns that help boost sales

Things to Consider

• Commission fees can be relatively high

LINE MAN

Advantages

• Easy for customers to use

• Well integrated with LINE

Things to Consider

• In some areas, the number of riders may be limited

Robinhood

Advantages

• Lower service fees

• Suitable for small cafés

Things to Consider

• The customer base may not be as large as competitors

Tips for New Coffee Shops

There is no need to join every platform at once.

Starting with GrabFood and LINE MAN is usually sufficient. Once your team and workflow are ready, you can expand to other platforms.

☕ 2. Best-Selling In-Store Drinks May Not Be Suitable for Delivery

Many cafés upload their entire menu to delivery apps, but some drinks lose quality during transportation.

Drinks Suitable for Delivery

✔ Iced Americano

✔ Iced Latte

✔ Thai Iced Tea

✔ Iced Cocoa

✔ Matcha Latte

Drinks to Avoid

❌ Hot Cappuccino

❌ Latte Art Drinks

❌ Beverages with thick milk foam

❌ Drinks topped with excessive whipped cream

A simple rule to remember:

"If the drink still tastes great when it reaches the customer, it is suitable for delivery."

🥤 3. Invest in Quality Packaging

Customers are impressed not only by taste but also by receiving their drinks in perfect condition.

Recommended packaging includes:

✔ High-quality PET cups

✔ Tight-fitting lids

✔ Cup sealing film

✔ Durable carrying bags

If your budget allows, consider ordering logo stickers.

Applying stickers to cups, bags, and boxes can significantly strengthen your brand image.

📸 4. Product Photos Matter More Than You Think

Delivery customers cannot smell your coffee.

They cannot see your café.

They cannot interact with your baristas.

The only thing helping them decide is the photo.

Use images that are:

✔ Sharp and clear

✔ Taken against a clean background

✔ Bright and colorful

✔ Captured in natural light

Avoid dark, blurry, or distant photos.

✍️ 5. Create More Appealing Menu Names

Instead of simply calling a drink Iced Latte, consider names such as:

• Rich Fresh Milk Iced Latte

• Honey Lemon Americano

• Premium 100% Cocoa

A well-crafted menu name can increase ordering rates more than many café owners realize.

🎯 6. Set Appropriate Delivery Prices

Many shop owners charge the same price for dine-in and delivery orders.

However, delivery platforms charge commissions.

For example:

• In-store price: 65 THB

• Delivery price: 75 THB

Most customers understand the difference because they know delivery services involve additional costs.

⏱ 7. Speed Is Extremely Important

Delivery customers expect to receive their drinks within 30–45 minutes.

If the café is slow, riders have to wait, and customers may leave negative reviews.

Prepare by:

✔ Keeping ingredients ready at all times

✔ Separating walk-in orders from delivery orders

✔ Creating a dedicated online order station

This helps reduce confusion and improve efficiency.

⭐ 8. Customer Reviews Are Powerful

New customers often read reviews before placing an order.

If your café has many positive reviews such as:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"Delicious coffee, excellent packaging, and fast delivery."

It can help generate steady sales over time.

🎁 9. Promotions Can Boost Sales

Examples include:

• Buy 2 drinks and get 10 THB off

• Free delivery for orders over 150 THB

• Buy a cocoa drink and receive a free cookie

• Get 50% off the second drink

Even small promotions can encourage customers to place an order.

📊 Delivery Readiness Checklist

✅ Register on delivery platforms

✅ Choose drinks that travel well

✅ Use high-quality packaging

✅ Take new product photos

✅ Set profitable pricing

✅ Improve preparation speed

✅ Ask customers for reviews

✅ Run promotions regularly

❤️ A Thought for Coffee Shop Owners

Coffee shops today are no longer limited to physical storefronts.

They also have an online storefront inside the smartphones of thousands of potential customers.

And sometimes...

A customer living five kilometers away may become one of your regular customers simply because they saw beautiful photos, read positive reviews, and received a first cup of coffee that exceeded their expectations.