Delivery continues to rise in popularity. Recent research conducted by DoorDash shows that 70% of people polled had ordered food delivery in the previous month, and 33% are ordering more often this year compared to last. Almost half reported that they placed repeat orders at least once per week.
Customers aren't only ordering from nearby restaurants on DoorDash — they're also getting items such as alcohol and groceries delivered as well. So if you want to know how to DoorDash like a pro — efficiently, effectively, and profitably — here are some smart ways to optimize your delivery strategy without having to leave your local area.
Why having a dashing strategy is key
There are a lot of non-chain restaurant orders being placed in your neighborhood or a neighborhood nearby, and you should have a strategy to capitalize on these opportunities. One-third of customers seek out local restaurants with only one location and have a soft spot for local favorites, with 56% preferring restaurants they already frequent.
But where are these popular restaurants located, and are there areas where they're concentrated? How heavy is traffic and how available is parking in these areas, and how does this change at different times of day? Some of these questions can be answered through planning alone, while others will take real-world practice. As you become an expert Dasher in your region, DoorDash is here to support you along the way.
Strategic priority #1: How to unlock your local area
Focusing on your local area when deciding where to dash has a lot of advantages. For one thing, you already know the streets, routes, and businesses in your own backyard, which saves time on the road and frees you to accept and complete more orders.
You may also already have a mental map of where different addresses are. Knowing local neighborhoods and residential developments — as well as their individual parking and access requirements — can save you from having to improvise in the middle of a delivery.
Another benefit is that you can familiarize yourself with the businesses in your local area. By learning which ones are popular, punctual, easy to access, and enjoyable to work with, you can enhance your dash strategy and drive faster repeat orders. The more efficient you are, the more satisfied your customers will be, and this can boost your earnings with higher tips.
One of the best ways to optimize your dash strategy and efficiency is by tracking hotspots through the DoorDash Dasher app. Areas with a high number of orders will show a flame symbol — red if there's high demand at present, and black if there's been high demand in that hotspot in the past. By staying near active hotspots, you have a better chance of staying busy, and the hotspots in the app refresh automatically every ten minutes.
Finally, dashing in your local area makes you a familiar face, and this too can help with securing repeat deliveries and higher tips. Be professional, and build trust and rapport with the vendors and customers you meet on a regular basis. These relationships have real value and can serve you well.
Strategic priority #2: Navigating unfamiliar territory
No matter how well you get to know your region, there can still be locations and situations that can be a bit more complex. A great example would be federally regulated premises, like military bases or prisons. Employees and service members may reside at these sites and be allowed to place delivery orders, but then you're expected to navigate security gates and guards without gaining proper clearance.
There's no standardized set of rules governing access to such facilities, and they can not only be different from one site to the next, but they can be changed often based on a number of circumstances.
If you want to accept orders from an institution or installation in your area, your best approach would be to go to its visitor control center (VCC) during business hours so you can get a background check done, and then you'll be able to access a certain section of the site with your driver's license. This type of special clearance is generally good for a year.
In some cases, you may just end up doing what you should usually do in an uncertain situation: get in touch with the customer and arrange for them to meet you somewhere close by that's more accessible. On that note, here are three tips to help you when dashing in unknown areas:
1. Communicate with the customer
Keeping your customer in the loop is not only good service, it's an excellent business practice for covering your bases and doing due diligence. Have useful stock phrases prewritten in your phone that you can send customers at key points in your delivery process to keep them informed. Then, if you encounter an unexpected challenge, you're already in a conversation and can come to a mutually workable solution.
2. Follow the customer's directions
Customers are able to give you instructions for how they want their order delivered, and these can include helpful guideposts when you are delivering to an unfamiliar or inaccessible area. Your customer will be thankful you followed their guidance, and this could also potentially be reflected in your tip. Of course, reach out to them if the instructions aren't clear or you find yourself at a loss.
3. Don't be afraid to contact support
You can also reach out to DoorDash whenever you need assistance. If the customer has sent you in the wrong direction or if the delivery truly can't be fulfilled for logistical reasons, all Dashers are empowered and encouraged to contact support. The team will help you with the situation, and there's no penalty if you need to cancel the order if there's an issue with a customer.
Be strategic about when, where, and how to dash
When is the best time to dash in your area? To answer that question, you once again should think about your dashing strategy, and know the niche you want to fill.
DoorDash research reveals that the most popular time to order food and alcohol is 6 p.m., and Friday is the most popular day of the week for ordering food delivery. But you might not always want to be part of a huge rush.
The breakfast hours between 6 and 9 a.m. also present a good opportunity for earning, and lunchtime — from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — often has high demand from workers, whether at the office or at home. And while dinner is peak time for orders, customers who crave a late night snack after 10 p.m. tend to be grateful for Dasher availability and may give more generous tips.
Of course, these circumstances can vary significantly from one location to the next, which is why creating a dashing strategy focused on your own area is so valuable. Prioritize learning by doing. Follow the hotspots, notice the patterns, and understand the unique urban or suburban geography of your region. You'll refine a formula that works for you, and you won't have to venture far from home to make the most of your gig work.
Are you ready to explore delivery opportunities near you? Sign up to be a Dasher today.
