For most Indian restaurants, aggregators are now the single biggest source of new customers. If you want to increase Swiggy Zomato orders without lighting money on fire, the answer is rarely one big trick. It is a set of small, disciplined improvements to your listing, menu and operations that compound over time.
Here are 12 tips that consistently move the needle, along with how to keep your margins intact while you scale.
Fix the basics of your listing first
Before you spend on ads or discounts, make sure the fundamentals are right. These cost nothing and quietly decide how often you show up in search results.
- Photos: Add clear, well-lit images for your top 15-20 items. Dishes with real photos convert far better than text-only entries.
- Descriptions: Write a short, honest line for each dish, portion size, spice level and whether it serves one or two.
- Categories: Group items logically so customers can scan quickly on a small screen.
- Timings: Keep your open hours accurate and avoid going offline during peak slots.
Win the rating game the honest way
Your star rating heavily influences ranking and click-through. Package hot food properly, avoid spills, and add a small thank-you note or a mint. Politely ask happy customers to rate you. Respond to negative reviews calmly and fix the root cause in the kitchen, not just the reply.
Use offers and timing strategically
Discounts work, but only when they are deliberate. Blanket 50% offers train customers to order only when you bleed margin. Instead:
- Run offers during your slow hours to fill idle kitchen capacity.
- Use minimum-order-value deals so average bills go up, not down.
- Test combos and add-ons instead of flat percentage cuts.
- Track which offers actually bring repeat orders versus one-time bargain hunters.
Engineer your menu for delivery
A dine-in menu is not a delivery menu. Some dishes travel badly and generate refunds and bad ratings. Identify your best travellers, the items that stay hot and intact, and push them to the top. Price delivery items to absorb aggregator commission, which typically ranges from about 18-30% depending on your contract, city and category. Rates vary, so verify current terms directly with the aggregator.
Tracking food cost per dish is what tells you whether a bestseller is actually profitable after commission and packaging. A system with recipe-level costing, like cloud kitchen management, makes this visible instead of a guess.
Speed and accuracy in the kitchen
Aggregator algorithms reward restaurants that accept quickly, prepare fast and rarely cancel. High rejection or long prep times push you down in listings. A connected restaurant POS software with a kitchen display system routes online orders straight to the kitchen, cutting manual entry errors and missed tickets during rush hours.
Build direct relationships alongside aggregators
Every aggregator order is a chance to earn a customer you can reach again for free. Capture what you can, encourage QR ordering and your own online storefront for repeat customers, and reward loyalty. A restaurant CRM and loyalty setup lets you bring price-sensitive regulars onto lower-cost channels over time, so you rely less on paid aggregator visibility.
Twelve tips, at a glance
- Add real photos for top items.
- Write clear, honest descriptions.
- Keep timings and availability accurate.
- Protect your rating with better packaging.
- Ask happy customers to rate you.
- Run offers during slow hours only.
- Use minimum-order-value deals.
- Promote your best delivery travellers.
- Price items to absorb commission.
- Accept and prepare orders faster.
- Reduce cancellations and rejections.
- Move loyal customers to direct channels.
Do these consistently for a couple of months and you will steadily increase Swiggy Zomato orders while keeping a closer eye on what each order really earns you.
Frequently asked questions
How long before these changes show results?
Listing and photo fixes can help within days. Rating and ranking improvements usually build over 4-8 weeks of consistent service, since aggregator algorithms respond to sustained performance, not one-off changes.
Do I have to run heavy discounts to rank well?
No. Discounts help visibility but are optional. Accurate listings, good ratings, fast acceptance and low cancellations matter as much, and they do not erode your margins.
Should I raise delivery prices to cover commission?
Many restaurants set delivery menu prices slightly higher to absorb commission and packaging. Keep the gap reasonable so you stay competitive, and verify current commission rates directly with the aggregator.
