How to Make the Most Money on DoorDash
As gig work opportunities have exploded in recent years, DoorDash has become a popular platform for those looking to supplement their income. But to really capitalize on DoorDash, it’s important to know the tips and tricks to make the most money and to prevent yourself from sacrificing too much of your time – money that can be better spent in other ways.
In this guide, we’re going to talk about the best ways to maximize your DoorDash earnings and increase your profitability.
Understanding the DoorDash Payment System
Before we start talking about how to make money by working for DoorDash, let’s start by taking a closer look at how DoorDash pays its Dashers. DoorDash operates on a complex system that is based on several different factors.
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Base Pay: This is an amount in dollars that DoorDash pays for each order, regardless of other factors. Different restaurants have different base-pay rates, so it is always good to take a look at the base-pay rates ahead of time and accept orders accordingly.
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Promotions: Promotions are special offers that DoorDash runs on certain orders. These promotions can range from extra tips to bonuses or additional base-pay. It’s a great idea to take advantage of these bonus offers when they come up, as they can really increase your earnings potential.
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Peak Pay: This is a bonus that DoorDash pays out during peak times. During peak times, DoorDash will offer bonus pay to Dashers who are willing to work during peak time slots.
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Tips: When customers place orders through DoorDash, they are allowed to leave tips for the Dashers. These tips will then be sent directly to the Dasher and can significantly increase their earnings. It is important to remember that Tips are voluntary and you should never expect to receive them.
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Referral Bonuses: DoorDash offers referral bonuses for Dashers who refer new customers to the platform. These bonuses are typically in the form of extra money for each referral and can add up over time.
Best Practices for Maximizing DoorDash Earnings
Knowing how DoorDash pays its Dashers is important, but it’s even more important to understand the best practices for maximizing your DoorDash earnings. Below are some of the best ways to do just that.
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Work the Hungry Hours: DoorDash pays out peak bonuses during certain times throughout the day, usually during peak demand periods. Take advantage of these bonuses when they come up and be sure to take orders during these peak times to maximize your earning potential.
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Sign Up For Referral Bonuses: DoorDash offers referral bonuses for Dashers who refer new customers to the platform. Sign up for these referral bonuses and you can earn extra money for each referral.
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Expand Your Working Area: The vast majority of Dashers don’t realize that their working area can be expanded. For example, if you live in one city but want to expand your working area, you can do so by delivering orders in neighboring cities. This can significantly increase your earning potential.
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Understand Base Pay and Starting Prices: Knowing the base-pay rates for each restaurant is extremely important when it comes to maximizing your earnings on DoorDash. Additionally, you should also understand the starting prices for each order. DoorDash will give you an initial base pay for each order, and then it will add or subtract money based on the starting prices.
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Optimize Your Profile: Optimizing your profile is a great way to improve your earning potential on DoorDash. Make sure to take a look at the descriptions that you have in your profile, include a good profile picture, and optimize your profile in other ways to make sure it stands out to customers.
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Choose the Longest Deliveries: Longer deliveries can mean more money for you. If you see several orders in your delivery area, take the time to look at the distance between the restaurant and the customer, and choose the deliveries that will pay you the most money.
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Get Comfortable With Biking: While most Dashers prefer to complete their deliveries with cars, it’s important to get comfortable with biking if you want to maximize your earnings. Biking is a great way to complete deliveries quickly and efficiently, and it’s also a great way to make more money on DoorDash.
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Monitor for Promotions: Promotions are a great way to boost your earnings. Keep an eye out for any special promotions that DoorDash is running and take advantage of them.
Tips For Being a More Efficient DoorDash Driver
Now that you know how DoorDash pays its drivers and the best practices for maximizing earnings, let’s take a look at some tips for being a more efficient DoorDash driver.
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Find the Best Routes: Finding the best routes is a great way to save time, and time is money. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the area you are working in and learn the best routes to get from the restaurant to the customer.
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Use Apps to Manage Your Time: Tracking your time is a great way to ensure you are being as efficient as possible. There are several apps available that can help you keep track of your time and they can also help you manage your schedule and book your shifts accordingly.
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Get Familiar With the Menu: One of the most time-consuming aspects of being a DoorDash driver is getting familiar with the menus of the restaurants. Take the time to get familiar with the different menus and learn the items that customers tend to order the most. This can help you save time when you are working and will ultimately lead to more money in your pocket.
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Invest In Quality Tech Gear: Investing in quality tech gear is a great way to be more efficient as a DoorDash driver. Investing in a good headset and a car mount for your phone are two great options. This will make it easier for you to take orders, manage your time, and find your way.
Working for DoorDash can be a great way to supplement your income, but it’s important to understand how DoorDash pays its Dashers and to know the best practices for maximizing your earnings. By following these simple tips and staying informed about promotions and peak pay bonuses, you can make the most money on DoorDash. Keep these tips in mind and you’ll be well on your way to earning more money with DoorDash.
