New delivery drivers and couriers may not know the busiest parts of their cities. To counteract this and ensure orders are getting delivered, Uber Eats uses hotspots.
Although hotspots can be an effective way to find high-volume areas, many couriers are finding alternative methods that work just as well. Here’s what you need to know about Uber Eats hotspots.
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Does Uber Eats Have Hotspots?
Yes, Uber Eats has hotspots. A hotspot is a localized area that receives high volumes of orders. These zones allow couriers to deliver within the busiest areas of their cities. You can access the hotspots by opening up the Uber Eats app and selecting “show all hotspots.”
How Do Hotspots Work?
Uber Eats hotspots work similarly to other delivery apps like DoorDash and Postmates. During high-volume and peak hours, Uber Eats will show the busiest locations and blocks highlighted in red.
Uber Eats is a location-based service. This means delivery times and estimates depend on couriers being nearby. Hotspots are in place to encourage couriers to move to these busy locations, resulting in more orders delivered and more money made.
Another Way to Access Hotspots
There’s another way you can view hotspots If you’re having trouble accessing or finding them within your app. Follow these simple steps to begin:
- Log in to your Uber Eats account select the “Help” button.
- Select “more,” then proceed to “Common phone and app issues.”
- Scroll down to the last option and select “I am not getting delivery requests.”
- Uber Eats should provide you with a hyperlink. Tap on the link to view a map of your area showing the busiest locations.
Tips for Using Hotspots
Utilizing hotspots, busy areas, surges, and boosts is crucial to your profit margins. These systems are in place not only for the customer’s benefit but for the couriers as well. Here are some tips you can follow to utilize hotspots better.
Work During High Demand Hours
Unsurprisingly, Uber Eats claims their highest demand for takeout occurs during lunch and dinner. Here are some of the times frames Uber Eats recommends working in:
- 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- 5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Uber Eats also claims their drivers are likely to earn more during rainstorms and harsh weather conditions. As always, practice safe driving practices.
Start With What You Know
When you begin delivering orders for Uber Eats, you may end up driving up and down your city. This may seem like a solid approach; covering a wider radius means more income, right? Not necessarily.
Veteran couriers and gig workers recommend starting with areas you know. Starting with a location that you’re familiar with allows you to get the hang of the process and develop a rhythm.
After you gain an understanding of your delivery process and surroundings, you can start to expand to other locations and neighborhoods.
Consider Downtown Areas
After you develop a basic delivery process and learn your surrounding area, you should start to consider downtown areas. Uber Eats recommends downtown sectors, as these areas typically have more participating restaurants.
Focus On Your Pace
A lot of the common advice for couriers and gig workers is based on the dollar amount per delivery. You’ll often hear drivers recommending accepting orders above a certain threshold. However, this may not be as profitable as focusing on your pace.
For example, accepting a $20 delivery order that takes 45 minutes to complete can seem profitable. However, accepting a $5 delivery that takes 10 minutes can result in higher profit margins.
The order that took 45 minutes for $20 results in roughly $26/hour if you keep the same pace. The $5 delivery order that took 10 minutes results in $30/hour if you stay at the same pace.
Depending on your circumstance, location, and market, it may be advantageous to accept orders that take less time, despite having a lower payout.
Create Your Own Hotspot
Some veteran couriers and gig workers have recommended “creating” your own hotspot. When Uber Eats shows hotspots, it can lead to a large number of drivers flocking to that area. More drivers in one zone create more scarcity, resulting in fewer orders for everyone.
To counteract this, you can position yourself near clusters of restaurants. Some delivery drivers even recommend staying close to areas with large apartment complexes and neighborhoods.
What Is an Uber Eats Hotspot?
An Uber Eats hotspot is a localized zone that’s receiving high-volume orders, typically marked in red. Hotspots are in place to encourage couriers to move to these busy locations, resulting in more orders delivered and more money made. You can access the hotspots by opening up the Uber Eats app and selecting “show all hotspots.”