If you’re an individual looking forward to starting delivery as a Dasher as a full-time job or as a side hustle then read to the end as you will find this helpful. This article will act as a guide for all that is needed to be known about how DoorDash works, how to DoorDash (for beginners), the tricks involved, and things you should look out for.
How to DoorDash?
After you are sure that you have the basics, it’s advised that you go through the Dasher app and familiarize yourself with it–understand what certain zone colors mean, select a zone to Dash in, schedule yourself, and complete your profile among other things.
That being said, you can begin to Dash by doing the following:
- Hit ‘Dash Now ‘
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the app, simply click on the ‘Dash Now’ button, here, the DoorDash app will run a quick check on you to confirm that you have:
- A smartphone for orders and road instructions
- A Red Card
- A food delivery (hot) bag
- A vehicle with gas
After the confirmation, you officially begin a shift in DoorDash
- Accept a Delivery request
After you’ve clicked on the ‘Dash Now ‘ button and done the needful, the DoorDash app will scan your area for delivery requests and after a while will show orders that are available near you along with:
- The restaurant
- The delivery distance and time goal
- The number of items in an order
- The delivery pay with the tip not included
Note that you have the option to accept or decline any order and that DoorDash orders are of three types, which are:
- Standard order: This type of order requires you to go to the restaurant, provide the name and order number to the staff available and accept the order
- Place an order: This order requires you to go to the restaurant to place the order yourself
- Red Card order: In this order, the payment for the order has been deposited in the Red Card which you’ll use to pay.
- Navigate to Restaurant
Once you’ve accepted your DoorDash order, head over to the restaurant–pickup location with the directions provided by the DoorDash app.
When you’ve arrived at the restaurant, there’s going to be a ‘Slide after Arrival ‘ option at the bottom to inform the app that you’ve reached the location.
Although the app may ask you to pick up other orders on the way, it is advised to decline this for your first order.
With the food in hand, confirm the order by clicking on the ‘Confirm’ button and head back to your car to finish the delivery process.
- Navigate to Drop-off
After you’ve tapped on the confirm button, a window will appear showing you the customer’s address.
Note that if there’s a need to contact the customer to clarify any issue about the address, there is a call and text option and that there are three types of drop-off which are
- Leave the order at the door
- Hand the order directly to the customer–in person (outside)
- Drop the order, with the customer, at the door after knocking or ringing
- Get paid
Once you’ve completed an order, take a picture of the delivered food item to confirm the completed job and you’ll be paid based on DoorDash pat formula. Your pay for delivery includes:
- Base pay–amount for every order
- Promotions
- Customer’s tips
Starting up as a Dasher
To begin as a Dasher, you’ll have to sign up with the DoorDash driver app and pass the screening process.
After that, a starter kit would be sent to you via mail which will contain the Red Card, a hot bag, and a starter manual among other things.
Some basic things that are required by a DoorDash delivery person are:
- Reliable transportation:
Since you’re going to be delivering food items from one place to another, you need reliable transportation which could be a car, truck, motorcycle, van, scooter(depending on your region due to bans in some countries), or even a bicycle to save money on gas
Using a car equals more space for storage of food and some recommended cars include Toyota Prius, Toyota Corolla, and Honda Civic because of their affordability and fuel efficiency.
- Phone with its accessories
To dash, you’ll need a phone (with a good internet connection and battery life) which you can use to access the DoorDash driver app.
To be on the safe side, you can also carry along your charger for a vehicle that has a USB charger, if it doesn’t you can purchase an add-on charging port that fits.
- DoorDash Red Card
This will be given to you, in your starter kit, after approval.
When a card payment is necessary, Dashers utilize a DoorDash Red Card to pay for some (not all) customers’ orders. Instead of your debit or credit card, DoorDash will accept this card for payments.
Note that before you can start earning with the DoorDash app, you should have completed your application process and linked your Red Card.
Conclusion
So now that you know how to Dash, you can earn money while driving for DoorDash as a full-time job or as a side hustle.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What percentage of tips do DoorDash drivers get to keep?
Dashers keep a hundred percent of the tips(100%).
- Will my earnings be sent to my Red Card?
No, it will not, This is because the DoorDash Red Card isn’t linked to a DoorDash driver’s bank account.
- What is my work as a Dasher?
As a DoorDash delivery person(Dasher), your work is simply to pick up and deliver customers’ orders.
