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If you've never ordered from DoorDash before, the first-time experience is straightforward but has a few specific steps worth knowing — especially if you want to take advantage of the $0 delivery fee that's available to new customers on their first order. This guide walks through every step from creating your account to receiving your first delivery, including the small choices (tipping, scheduled vs ASAP delivery, item customization) that make the experience smoother.

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What's in this guide

What to know before you start

A few things up front:

The first-order discount. New DoorDash customers can typically claim $0 delivery fee on their first order. Use the link below (an affiliate link — helps support this site). Terms apply.

You'll need: - A smartphone or computer with internet - An email address - A phone number for verification - A payment method (credit/debit card, PayPal, etc.)

Time to first delivery: Typically 5–10 minutes from account creation to placed order. Then 30–60 minutes for the actual delivery (varies by restaurant and traffic).

Cost components: Beyond the food itself, you'll typically see: - Delivery fee (typically waived on first order for new customers) - Service fee (separate from delivery) - Tax (per local tax rate) - Tip for the Dasher (recommended — and 100% goes to the driver)

Step 1: Create your DoorDash account

You can create your account on the DoorDash website or by downloading the DoorDash app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).

Via the affiliate link (recommended for the first-order discount):

  1. Tap northvilletech.co/doordash to start
  2. Enter your email address
  3. Create a password
  4. Verify your email via the code DoorDash sends
  5. Add your phone number; verify via SMS code

The first-order discount automatically applies when you sign up through this affiliate link. Offer details and availability may vary; terms apply.

Step 2: Set up your delivery address

Add the address where you want food delivered:

  • Type your full address (street number, street name, apartment/unit, city, state, ZIP)
  • DoorDash auto-suggests based on your typing
  • Confirm the address matches what you intended (apartment numbers, building, etc.)
  • Add delivery instructions if needed: "Apt 3B, please knock," "Leave at door," "Gate code 1234"

You can save multiple addresses (home, work, parents' house). The default address is what your orders go to unless you change it at checkout.

Step 3: Find a restaurant

DoorDash shows a feed of restaurants near your delivery address. The feed is organized into:

  • Top picks for you (algorithmic recommendations)
  • Cuisine categories (Pizza, Mexican, American, Asian, etc.)
  • Promotions (specific restaurants with deals)
  • Search bar for specific restaurants by name

Filter options: - Delivery time (ASAP, scheduled) - Price range - Dietary preferences (vegan, gluten-free, etc.) - Distance - Rating

Browse and pick a restaurant. Tap to open the menu.

Step 4: Build your order

Inside a restaurant's menu:

  • Browse items by category (appetizers, mains, sides, drinks, desserts)
  • Tap an item to open its detail page
  • Customize as available — quantity, modifications (no onions, extra sauce), special requests
  • Add to cart
  • Repeat for each item

A few tips:

  • Read item descriptions carefully. Sizing varies by restaurant. "Small" at one chain is "medium" at another.
  • Special instructions go in the customizations. A separate "Notes for restaurant" field at the bottom of the cart is for things outside item-level customization.
  • Check minimum order requirements. Some restaurants have minimum order amounts; the cart shows progress toward the minimum.

When your order is built, tap Cart or Checkout.

Step 5: Add a tip and review

The checkout screen shows:

Order summary: - Items with prices - Subtotal

Delivery details: - Delivery address (confirm it's correct) - Estimated delivery time - Delivery instructions

Fees: - Delivery fee (shown as $0 if first-order discount applies) - Service fee - Tax - Tip for Dasher (you choose)

Tip is critical. DoorDash drivers (Dashers) are independent contractors who depend on tips for a meaningful portion of their earnings. The default suggestions are typically 15–25% of subtotal. Higher tips often get faster acceptance from Dashers.

100% of tips go to the Dasher. DoorDash doesn't take a cut of tips.

Add tip, review the total, confirm payment method, and tap Place Order.

$0 first-order delivery for new customers. Sign up via the link below if you haven't already to claim the offer.

Order Now — $0 Delivery →

Step 6: Place the order and track delivery

Once your order is placed:

Order confirmation: DoorDash shows estimated delivery time and the order details. You can also see this in your email confirmation.

Order tracking: As the order progresses, DoorDash shows real-time updates:

  • Restaurant received order
  • Restaurant preparing food
  • Dasher accepted (with their name and photo)
  • Dasher arrived at restaurant
  • Dasher picked up order
  • Dasher en route
  • Approaching your address
  • Delivered

Live map: Once a Dasher accepts, you can see them on a live map approaching the restaurant and then your address.

In-app messaging: You can message your Dasher directly through the app (e.g., to clarify delivery instructions, gate codes). The phone number shown is privacy-routed; the Dasher doesn't see your personal number.

Step 7: Receive your order and rate

When the Dasher arrives:

For "Hand it to me" delivery: - Dasher knocks or rings the bell - They hand you the food - You confirm receipt

For "Leave at door": - Dasher places food at your door - They take a photo as proof - You receive a notification with the photo

After receiving the food:

  • Open the bag and confirm everything's there. Items match what you ordered. If something's missing or wrong, contact DoorDash support immediately (see How to Get a DoorDash Refund).
  • Rate the Dasher in the app (typically 1–5 stars). Most Dashers care about ratings; consider rating higher if everything was correct.
  • Optionally adjust the tip (some markets allow tip increases up to ~30 days after delivery).

That's the full first-order flow.

Common first-order questions

Why was my food cold? Usually a restaurant prep delay, traffic, or the Dasher waiting for the order. If it was significantly cold or delayed, contact support — DoorDash can sometimes offer a credit.

Why was my Dasher slow? Restaurants are sometimes slow during peak hours. Dashers typically can't speed it up. If the wait was extreme (45+ minutes), worth flagging to support.

Can I cancel an order I just placed? Yes, immediately — but only if the restaurant hasn't started preparing it. After preparation begins, cancellation is harder. See the cancellation flow in your order details.

Can I tip the Dasher in cash? Yes — though most customers tip through the app. Cash tips are 100% the Dasher's. If you tip cash, you can also leave the app tip lower (or zero).

Do I have to be home to receive the order? For "Leave at door" orders, no. For alcohol orders, yes (you must be there to ID-verify). For most orders, the Dasher just needs the door accessible.

What if my building has security or is gated? Add the gate code or building entry instructions in the delivery notes when ordering. Customer notes are critical for apartments and gated communities.

Order on DoorDash DashPass for unlimited reduced-fee delivery on eligible restaurants and grocery partners. New users often get $0 delivery on first orders. Open DoorDash →

FAQ

Is DoorDash free for the first order? The food itself isn't free, but delivery fee can typically be waived for new DoorDash customers on their first order. Terms apply. Use the link (an affiliate link).

How do I know I'm getting the discount? At checkout, the delivery fee will show as $0 (or with a discount applied). If you're not seeing the discount, double-check that you're a new DoorDash customer and that any current promotion terms are met.

Can I use DashPass with the first-order discount? DashPass is DoorDash's subscription service that waives delivery fees on eligible orders. You can sign up for a DashPass free trial and order with both the trial and the first-order discount. See Is DashPass Worth It?.

What payment methods does DoorDash accept? Credit cards, debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and (for eligible items) SNAP/EBT in supported markets. See How to Use SNAP/EBT on DoorDash for the EBT-specific flow.

Can I order alcohol on DoorDash? In supported states, yes. The recipient must be 21+ and present ID at delivery. Some states have additional restrictions. See alcohol ordering specifics in DoorDash's help center for your state.

Can I order from multiple restaurants in one delivery? Currently no — DoorDash dispatches one Dasher per restaurant. Multiple-restaurant orders typically require multiple separate orders.

What's the difference between a delivery fee and a service fee? Delivery fee goes to compensate the Dasher and DoorDash's logistics. Service fee covers DoorDash's platform costs. Both are separate from the tip.

Can I order in advance for a future delivery time? Yes — DoorDash offers "Schedule for Later" at checkout. Pick a future date/time within the range available. Useful for planning meals or ordering during busy periods.

What if my food never arrives? Contact support immediately. Use the in-app help feature or chat. DoorDash typically refunds non-delivered orders. See How to Get a DoorDash Refund.

Can I get a refund if the order was wrong? Yes — contact support with photos of the issue. DoorDash typically credits or refunds for missing/wrong items. See How to Get a DoorDash Refund.

Related reading:

Affiliate Disclosure & Disclaimers:

We may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up for DoorDash or DashPass through a link on this page; the price you pay is the same. We don't compensate or otherwise influence DoorDash for editorial content. Pricing, fees, and feature availability cited above are based on DoorDash's published documentation as of the date noted above and may change — always confirm in-app or on doordash.com before making purchase decisions. Not financial, legal, or tax advice — consult a qualified professional for your specific situation.