This is a guest post by Danyal Ahmad. Danyal is a Content Editor at Apptellect, a mobile app development company. He loves writing about Internet Marketing, Technology and iPhone app making.
Smartphones were predicted to change our lives enormously. Everybody is talking about the important role of going mobile these days.
But no one expected smartphones
to change the way we dine out.
Organizations all around the world are continuously involved in building a competitive edge over others by coming up with a new innovative or creative product using new technology that may help the business to earn higher revenue.
The App markets have plenty of great applications with all kinds of functionalities. Some of them are quite strange: like beer apps and talking cats.
There are also lots of useful tools for your daily life too, but there’s more to the story. Let’s focus on how our dining industry can benefit from the rapid increase in technology in the food and beverage business through developing your restaurant’s own online ordering app.
Here are some ways to convince all restaurant owners to develop an app
for their business that makes the most out of our digital age.
Reach Your Customers Where They Are
Every customer appreciates when you go above and beyond to serve them great food – and perhaps more importantly making their hectic lives easier.
Statistics show that the global mobile data traffic increased by 70% in 2012, so there is more chance to reach your audience.
When you show your commitment by offering better interactive ways, you’ll earn more repeat customers for life, hence improving brand loyalty.
Part of it is convenience and ease of the whole process and the rest has a lot to do with being connected with your customers in a friendly yet accessible way.
Put Your Restaurant in Your Customer’s Pocket
Anyone seen a phone book lately? Most of us have put our phone books straight in the recycle bin and moved on to help of digital media. Searching online provides ease of use, can show more up to date listings, and offers a higher degree of availability.
Restaurant’s mobile apps can be used to create custom built maps to help visitors with location as well as providing relevant tourist info. They enhance the level of customer service provided by your restaurant>
Restaurant Apps can generate positive word of mouth because a satisfied
customer tells three friends – but an angry customer tells 3000.
Digital Brochures
Apps can also integrate PDF-reader function which allows you to create brochures and price lists. All you need to do is upload your pdf and your developer will turn it into a mobile-optimized document.
You can also use a QR code generator to customize you printed marketing material. Market research shows that the faster a user can get information, the faster they will make a decision and take action.
A better user experience is a must – and an app can be your best friend
to achieve stronger sales, better communication, and to meet your goals.
Offers and Rewards
You can send out push notifications to keep your users updated on:
- The latest services offered
- Special Seasonal Offers
- Menu changes
- Coupons and discounted deals.
Push notifications can be scheduled even when your customers are not using the app. For this reason they can be a powerful tool to increase client attention. (Customers do have an option to opt out of push notifications.)
Understand Your Customers
Mobile food apps are a great way to promote your business, but also get to know your customer’s like and dislikes. You can use your app chat to engage customers in exchanging opinions.
Use mobile restaurant apps to create social communities around your business.
Apps are a reliable source of business promotion. Social networking is a friendly and effective way to interact with your market. Giving your customer a chance to post their feedback on Facebook or Twitter via app is a vital method for promoting your restaurant.
You can still be the first in your market to make a 5-star online ordering app to increase your market share. It’s a simple project that won’t cost you a fortune. Check out the Apptellect portfolio for examples of restaurant apps they have developed.
