Growing Your Restaurant

As an enthusiast of social media, I probably share the opinion of almost the entire population when I say that nowadays social media is what you need to make your restaurant a huge success. Whether or not you like or dislike, use or avoid social media for personal habits, one thing cannot be denied and that is that millions of users log on every day to the likes of Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin.

What you do need to remember though is that the primary importance of having a social media account is to interact socially with your virtual friends, the idea of integrating social networking into business coming later on. What you need to remember then when you wish to advertise your services to a global audience is that you cannot be too aggressive in your social media skills, and rather than pushing “friends” with spammy mails and annoying block capital advertisements, you need to subtly persuade them that your restaurant really is the place they need to be.

I personally have used social media for one of my business ventures, and can only rave on about the success I had. I decided to monitor the percentage of my clients that found out about my venture through social media, and the results were actually quite shocking. My conclusion from all this; it really is great to have people “talking about you” and the more “likes” or visits or “tweets” you receive, the better it all gets. Just remember however never to post anything negative or respond to any comments left in a negative manner; this really would get people talking about you, but in the very worst possible way!

A food online ordering system through social media can also help your business grow in a big way.  Many businesses see a 10%-20% increase in sales by just adding a restaurant online ordering system.  The system also work in social media apps like Facebook, iOS, and Android.  Contact Food Online ordering Systems for a demo today!

Food Online Ordering Systems empowers your restaurant business with advanced e-commerce technology that will enable you to streamline your business. Numerous advantages come with incorporating this software to your current point of sale system. For one, you stop being limited by physical locations as anyone can order food from your business. Thus enabling your business to finally transverse different horizons that will ultimately raise your bottom line. However, when it comes to digital transitions, a good number of business owners still tend to be wary of the idea. Here are some of the ways that online ordering can work toward streamlining your business thus boosting your sales.

Every customer is attended to

There is nothing worse than craving something particular to eat then finding that either the line are too long at the restaurant or worse yet, it is closed or being put on hold when calling! Our online food ordering system allows you to keep your business open for as many hours as you want. Inclusion of delivery means that people do not have to wait for food at the premises or phone but can simply have their order brought to them at their convenience. Not only does this translate into customer acquisition, it also increases your customer retention rates. This can only mean additional profits for your business.

Flexibility for both your business and your customers

Making orders over the phone is becoming a thing of the past, as it should be! Not only do customers have to contend with busy phone lines during rush hour, but your employees also will not catch a break during peak hours such as lunch and dinnertime. By opting for online restaurant ordering software, you lose your dependence on phone lines for an automated and more efficient service. In addition, the use of automated email notifications will keep your customers feeling that you value paying attention to them despite the business’ stipulated working hours.

Up to the minute updates

One of the worst scenarios for your business is when a customer wants to order a particular item only to be told that it is not available. Not only does this lead to disappointment, but it could potentially make you lose business if they opt to purchase the food from a rival restaurant. With online food ordering software, your menu is refreshed by the minute thus ensuring that it is always up to date. Customers get a chance to choose their food from what is available all the time thus eliminating the chances of orders not being met.

Repeat orders

Another way of streamlining your business and boosting sales is by having repeat clients. Our online food ordering system can help you do this if incorporated with other incentives such as loyalty programs, coupons and more. These added incentives will make customers feel obliged to keep ordering from your business. As they will have their own accounts and profiles, which provide them with bonuses the more frequently, they choose to order from you.

With secure transactions and the ability to update your menu handily, our food online ordering system allows your business to embrace increased work productivity and boost sales at a fraction of the cost!

Technology and the rise of social media has made it easier for businesses to get the word out regarding their products and services. While this is definitely a good thing, it is not without its downsides.

Digital channels of communication, while providing businesses with a conduit leading directly to their target audience, have become saturated. It is now harder than ever for businesses to stand out.

For example, how can one fried chicken restaurant compete with 10 others, who all swear to be the best in the city? These restaurants are all bound to have excellent websites, and also have attractive social media accounts.

There are companies that specialize in customizing user experience and ensure that customers are more likely to become aware of a restaurant or caterer. An online ordering system, for example, can work on a restaurant’s existing web presence and expand it into a customer’s personal space using mobile applications, and making it easy for them to get the food that they want at their doorstep.

However, there are a few things a restaurant or food catering service should remember to make their marketing plans more effective.

1. Create a website

Aside from the tried and true–fliers, pamphlets, and posters–restaurants and food services these days should establish an online presence, starting with a website.

With the increasing popularity of smart phones and other mobile devices, people are relying more and more on the internet to get the information they need. If you cannot be Googled, it is like you do not exist.

A good website should contain information about your restaurant or food catering service, but most importantly should showcase the food, where stores can be found, and how they can order.

2. Establish presence on social media

Social media is also a good place to push updates to customers, as they spend a lot of time there online.

Facebook is able to deliver good clickthroughs to websites, and Twitter gives users the chance to get live updates from businesses they follow. Instagram is foodie heaven, and other platforms such as Pinterest and Tumblr also allow for various means to highlight food products.

Social media also makes it easy for customers to get in touch, and to join promotions or contests.

3. Encourage food reviews

People like giving their opinions, and love it when their views are heard and shared by others. This is why it can be useful for restaurants to share food reviews written by customers and bloggers on their website and social media accounts.

If bad reviews are given, restaurants can immediately address the complaints and show that they have addressed these, making customers happy with their quick response.

4. Make food online ordering for restaurants or reservations an option

Customers like convenience, and online ordering for restaurants is as easy as it can get. In addition to food orders, most online ordering systems can also receive table reservations.

With the availability of online payment platforms and the rise of mobile devices, this can be useful in ramping up sales, as customers no longer have to wait until they get off work or go to a store in order to transact their business.

They can buy food or make reservations immediately, when the mood strikes or they feel hungry.

5. Regularly get feedback from customers

It is important to talk to customers about their opinions, and to make them feel that what they want matters. After all, they are paying good money for the food and service.

Feedback can be through email, the website, social media, phone, or a dropbox on site.

There should be follow through, however. Restaurants can leverage social media or their website to show their responses to the most pressing concerns. Showing you care can earn brownie points with customers.

6. Give incentives or discounts to customers

Incentives such as a one-day only discount, a weekend food sale, or free dessert can help ramp up sales–everybody likes freebies.

Social media can be leveraged in a variety of ways to promote these kinds of efforts.

7. Ride on local holidays or events

Hosting an event during local holidays or events can help a restaurant get increased sales, as they can serve as a meeting place for several groups. For example, a bar can host a football viewing party, for example, and fine dining restaurants can host a Valentine’s Day speed dating event.

8. Show lots of food photos on promo materials

Visually stimulating photographs can ignite interest in people, and gorgeous food photos on promotional material, websites and social media accounts are sure to make potential customers think about what your restaurant or catering service is offering.

There are several Facebook and Twitter posts a day, as well as whole Instagram campaigns and websites celebrating food. Consistently mouthwatering food photographs are sure to catch foodies’ attention.