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Update Online Store Status

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Written by EPOS Support

Overview

This guide explains how to manually control when your online store accepts orders, allowing you to temporarily pause or close ordering during peak hours, staffing shortages, or unexpected closures. Managing your store status is essential for maintaining operational control and setting clear customer expectations.

Who is this guide for?

  • Store Owners & Managers who need to quickly respond to changing operational conditions.

  • Front-of-House Staff tasked with pausing orders during peak rushes.

Before You Begin

  • Permissions: You need access to online store settings

  • Understand the States: Know the difference between "Temporarily Closed" (short break) and "Closed for Today" (full day).

  • Communicate: Inform your team before changing the status, especially during service hours.

Understanding Online Store Status

Your store can be in one of three main states, each serving a different operational purpose.

Status

Description

Best Used For

OPEN NOW

Store is actively accepting online orders.

Normal business operations during your set operating hours.

TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Orders are paused for a defined period and will auto-resume.

Short breaks (staff lunch rush), overwhelming order volume, or temporary technical issues.

CLOSED FOR TODAY

Orders are stopped for the remainder of the day and will resume at the next scheduled opening time.

Closing early due to low stock, bad weather, or after you've reached capacity for the day.

How to Update Your Online Store Status

You can change your status from two main areas in the EPOS360 app.

Method 1: Quick Update from the Sales Screen

  1. Open the EPOS360 app and tap "Sale" in the bottom navigation.

  2. At the top of the screen, ensure the order type is set to "Online".

  3. Look for the status indicator at the very top of the order queue (e.g., "OPEN NOW").

  4. Tap this status indicator. A menu will pop up with all available options.

  5. Select your desired status and configure any timing if prompted.

Method 2: Update via Online Store Settings

  1. Open the EPOS360 app and tap "Sell" in the bottom navigation.

  2. Select the "Online" tab to access your store dashboard.

  3. Tap "Online Settings"

  4. Find the "Store Status" section.

  5. Tap the current status to open the menu and select a new one.

Detailed Status Options & Actions

When you tap the status, you will see the following options:

Option 1: Pause for Peak Hour (Set a Timer)

  • What it does: Changes status to TEMPORARILY CLOSED and automatically resumes at a time you set.

  • When to use: The kitchen is 30 minutes behind; you need a 15-minute buffer to catch up.

  • Action: Select "Pause Until..." and use the time picker to choose when orders should resume (e.g., in 30 minutes). The store will auto-open at that time.

Option 2: Close for Today

  • What it does: Changes status to CLOSED FOR TODAY. Online ordering will remain off until your next scheduled operating hours begin.

  • When to use: You've sold out for the day or are closing early due to an event.

  • Action: Select "Close for Today." No further action is needed.

Option 3: Resume Online Ordering

  • What it does: Immediately changes status from TEMPORARILY CLOSED or CLOSED FOR TODAY back to OPEN NOW (provided you are within operating hours).

  • When to use: You're ready to accept orders again ahead of a scheduled auto-resume.

  • Action: Select "Resume Ordering."

Option 4: Extend a Pause

  • What it does: If you are already TEMPORARILY CLOSED, this lets you push the auto-resume time further out.

  • When to use: The rush is lasting longer than expected; you need another 15 minutes.

  • Action: Select "Extend Pause Until..." and set a new time.

Best Practices

  • Combine with Operating Hours: Your manual status overrides your preset hours. If you are "OPEN NOW" but outside your operating hours, orders will still be blocked. Use both tools together.

  • Set Realistic Pause Times: When pausing for a peak, estimate generously. It's better to resume early than to have the auto-resume hit during continued chaos.

  • Notify Your Team: Use a kitchen communication tool or simply tell staff when you pause or resume ordering to keep everyone aligned.

  • Customer Communication: A clear "Temporarily Closed" message is shown on your store. For longer planned closures (e.g., a public holiday), update your store's operating hours instead of just the status.

Troubleshooting

  1. I set a pause, but orders are still coming in.

    1. Allow up to 1 minute for the status update to propagate across all channels (web, Google, e-wallets). Refresh the public store page to confirm the change is live.

  2. The status won't change back to OPEN.

    1. Check if you are within your configured Operating Hours. If it's outside, you must either update the hours or override them with the manual status change.

  3. My store shows as closed, but I didn't change it.

    1. Fix: First, check your Operating Hours. Second, an authorized team member may have changed the status. Check the status in your settings to confirm.

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