First-party digital ordering isn’t just about convenience—it’s about control. When customers order directly through your app or website, you get richer data, higher margins, and a direct line of communication with your guests. But simply having a digital channel isn’t enough. To grow first-party revenue, you need to make the experience seamless, engaging, and habit-forming.
Here are eight easy-to-implement strategies you can activate on Thanx to drive more digital orders and build long-term loyalty—each one proven to reduce friction and improve results.
1. Send a Campaign Encouraging First Digital Orders
Sometimes, all it takes is a little nudge. A one-time campaign targeting customers who haven’t placed a digital order yet can drive meaningful impact. Why? Because 100% of digital purchasers on Thanx are automatically enrolled in your loyalty program. That means a single digital order unlocks both short-term revenue and long-term marketing opportunities.
Pro tip: Use a clear CTA like “Get $3 off your first online order” to drive action.
2. Add a Recent Orders Carousel to Your App Home
Repeat orders are your secret weapon. Make it easy for returning users to reorder their favorites by adding a Recent Orders carousel to the home screen of your app. It reduces effort, increases frequency, and makes reordering feel effortless.
Result: Higher conversion rates and stronger guest retention—without a discount.
3. Configure Images for Menu Items and Modifiers
Don’t just describe your food—show it off. Adding imagery to menu items and modifiers helps customers feel confident in their selections and encourages them to add premium items.
Fun fact: Merchants who include photos consistently see higher check averages.
4. Enable Olo Cross-Sell or Smart Cross-Sell
Upsells don’t have to feel like a sales pitch. Olo Cross-Sell lets you surface complementary items during checkout—either manually configured or powered by AI. These personalized recommendations increase average order value without adding friction.
Example: Suggest a drink or dessert just before checkout to lift ticket size.
5. Refresh the Look of Your App Regularly
Visual fatigue is real. Keep your app feeling new by regularly updating imagery and layout. Use seasonal promotions, new menu launches, or brand storytelling moments to breathe fresh energy into the app.
Inspiration: Smalls Sliders’ “Smallsoween” theme brought spooky charm to the digital experience.
6. Eliminate Top Ordering Errors
Nothing kills a sale faster than an error at checkout. The Ordering Conversion Report in your Thanx dashboard shows you where and why carts are being abandoned—often due to configuration issues like delivery availability.
Action: Filter the report by location and fix issues in minutes with your Ops team.
7. Add Motion Graphics to Your App
Motion captures attention and brings your brand to life. Add animated graphics tied to key moments—like a product launch or seasonal event—to make your app more dynamic and memorable.
Example: Big Chicken used a motion graphic of Shaq winking on the app home screen. Instant brand personality.
8. Use Smart Links to Drive In-App Actions
Smart Links are a simple but powerful tool. Whether in an email, text, or social post, these deep links take users straight to a specific screen in your app, like a menu item or reward.
Bonus: If users don’t have the app installed, Smart Links can direct them to the app store (or another destination of your choosing), helping boost downloads too.
Start Small, Win Big
None of these strategies require heavy lifting—but together, they can transform your first-party digital channel from a utility into a growth engine. With Thanx, it’s easy to turn one-time transactions into loyal relationships and boost revenue through smarter, more personalized ordering experiences.
Ready to activate these strategies? If you are already a Thanx customer, reach out to your Thanx Success Manager or explore your Dashboard today. Not a Thanx customer, Request a Demo to learn more.
