The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an ambitious project by the Indian government to democratize digital commerce. It aims to promote open networks to increase competition and innovation in the e-commerce space.
For restaurants and cloud kitchens, joining ONDC presents a great opportunity to expand your reach to more customers through multiple buyer apps instead of being restricted to one or two major food delivery platforms. Here’s how you can get started on ONDC:
Step 1: Ensure Eligibility First, make sure your food business entity is eligible to join the ONDC network. This includes legally operating restaurants, cloud kitchens, food trucks, and other F&B businesses. You must also have all the necessary licenses and permits.
Step 2: Choose a Seller App ONDC is an open network that connects buyers (customer apps) with sellers (businesses like yours) through a shared protocol. So you’ll need a Seller App or app provider that is integrated with ONDC. Some examples are SellerHub, eSamudaay, GoFrugal, etc. Research and choose one that suits your needs.
Step 3: Onboarding Process
Each Seller App will have its onboarding process where you’ll need to provide details about your business, menu, pricing, operations, etc. You may need to share documentation as well. The app will then integrate you into the ONDC network.
Step 4: Catalog Management Once onboarded, you’ll have access to a portal or system to manage your online catalogue – including menu items, prices, images, available time slots, and more. Keeping this updated is crucial for orders to flow through accurately.
Step 5: Order Management When customers place orders through buyer apps (like Paytm, PhonePe, etc.), you’ll receive them via your seller app. Your staff can accept/reject, view details, and mark orders as ready for pick-up. You’ll need efficient kitchen operations to ensure smooth fulfilment.
Step 6: Managing Reviews & Ratings Customer reviews and ratings on ONDC apps can heavily influence your business reputation and visibility. Make sure to encourage satisfied customers to leave positive feedback and promptly address any complaints or issues.
The ONDC network is still in its early phases but holds immense potential to transform digital commerce for small food businesses across India. Getting an early mover advantage and providing stellar services can make your restaurant or cloud kitchen stand out in this space.
