Welcome New Year With Your Restaurant Custom App
The way the world dines has taken a complete change. With the advent of digital platforms and the plethora of options, it’s time to change to the new ways of doing business.
The number of mobile users has grown dramatically over the last few years. The businesses have realized the need to engage mobile platforms for drawing customers. Mobile apps are low on cost, have many features, and caters to the needs of the audience they serve. Users prefer mobile apps more than mobile websites for the ease of usage and better connectivity.
Now that you’ve rightfully decided to create a restaurant food ordering app, the next thing to decide on is what features to put in it?
Push Notifications
Push notification is a style used in Internet-based communication. To term it in simple language, it's a way of alerting consumers to various offers and information that they have opted-in to from certain apps and services.
Push notification is considered a double-edged sword as it can either uplift your sales or tarnish your restaurant’s image. You need to be cautious of the messages sent as push notifications by using it in a refined and subtle manner.
Constantly sending or misusing the push notifications can pester your users, and hence they may discontinue your services.
Push notifications must be managed smartly and thoughtfully. Sending an alert in the odd hours of the day is never a good idea. Instead, plan to send out the notification in the evenings or during weekends to get the maximum benefit. It is also a good practice to ask your customers about their desired medium to receive notifications such as email, SMS, or push notification and the specific time.
Not to forget, always ensure that your notifications add some value to your clients and are not just advertising or promotional content. Managing Push Notifications in this manner will help your app to grow and do a profitable business.
In-App, Online Ordering, and Mobile Payments
Online and in-app ordering allows the diners to place orders either before they visit your joint or consider a take-away. The ability to pay for the orders online or in cashless mode can take the customer’s convenience to another level.
It has also been observed that customers who order online tend to visit the restaurant way more often. This builds an engaging and good rapport between the restaurant and the diners. While few customers say that a restaurant’s app helps ease out the means of payment for their orders beforehand.
The app is bringing a lot of efficiency in maintaining and processing the orders. It also creates a seamless way for your customers to reach out to you for their delivery. These services give you a clear edge over your competitor, irrespective of whether they’re right across the street.
Loyalty, Rewards, and Discounts Vouchers
Many reports lead us to conclude that users follow the mobile app to get constant updates of their favorite restaurant. Allowing customers to place orders based on the app’s usage or redeeming/earning loyalty points can boost your app performance.
It’s always easy to retain your preferred clients as you need to invest a lot of time and money to acquire a new bunch. These reference and loyalty programs add an edge to your customer base and also keeps your app in the most searched results. Most of the known and reputed restaurants engage in their loyalty programs and ensure they give out the best deals to their esteemed customers.
It’s also a good idea to give one-on-one offers to the app’s orders. This will boost the usage of your app and sales.
Location-Based Services
The location-based services give the diners a preview of the eating joints they have nearby. This helps them narrow down their search and reach out to your restaurant for take-away or dine-in options.
Location-based service has replaced the handout flyers, which was a very effective way to garner customers before digital technology paved the way. This feature in your app promotes the restaurant’s deals, discounts, and menu.
Across Platforms (Apple App Store & Google Play)
Once your app has gained recognition in your local area, it is time to reach out to larger masses. The local people or customers are bound to know you, but to make your presence during the holiday season, you need to advertise.
The best way to go about is by making your app available across the platforms. This will enable all to search your app and reach out to you.
You may need to work with a development company that can be quite expensive to ensure good quality for your Apps or use the OrderEm platform that allows you to create stunning apps with no coding.
Book Your Table
It can be frustrating when you see the restaurant is packed and you would have to wait to get hold of a table. Customers look forward to hassle-free dining.
Allow customers to book a table reservation with your mobile app. This gives you an idea of the rush that can be expected during business hours.
This helps cut down customer disappointment that unquestionably arises from long waits. It also allows the diners to plan out their evening.
Staff Management
For your restaurant to excel in customer satisfaction, you need a good bunch of staff. The diners always look out for the well mannered and efficient staff who help them with their order.
Keeping your staff informed about the possible guest turn out can prepare them to handle the situation efficiently. This will help boost your sales.
Kitchen Management
Apart from making space for the table, the guests would prefer a quick delivery of their order. When you have a booking, keeping the chef informed can save your restaurant.
The chefs can make the necessary arrangements to handle the rush and cater to the diners’ needs. With this feature, a chef can channelize his effort to produce the best result with minimum errors. It also helps them to prepare orders sequentially.
Checkout OrderEm App (iOS or Android) ability to manage orders from dine-in or online or kiosks from one single location.
Social Media Integration
Social media has become the leading platform where customers talk about their experience, share pictures. This can be made to use by integrating your app with the most used social media sites.
Social media integration has become a to-do thing for every app. Incorporating your loyalty/discount programs can entice existing customers to earn points and rewards for inviting new customers/friends. These offers will greatly help in attracting new customers.
Personalization
People prefer a personalized note rather than a general message popping in their mail and phone. The attention which is given to personalized messages is noteworthy. Customers believe that the restaurant has laid offers for them exclusively and would love to avail the same.
The user’s activities and behavior are tracked, and the services are promoted based on their preference. This helps the customer to decide and place an order well in advance and avail of the benefits.
With personalization, you save the customer with the ability to remember their preferences using the Customer Management system, reorder with ease, and the ability to store customer preferences and data to serve them better.
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback is the easiest and most effective way of getting insights to improve your app.
It is necessary to continuously review and make necessary changes in your app to keep up with the updates. Including a feedback system allows users to share their experiences and suggestions. This will help you make better deals with your customers and serve them better in the future.
Most of the first time diners usually go through the feedback or review section to be aware of the services and quality of food served in the restaurant. Hence this feature will do the advertising for your brand.
Conclusion
As a restaurant owner, you would be wanting to attract more customers during the New Year. If you are looking out for ways to improve sales, customer loyalty, and retention, a custom App for your restaurant can do the trick. The above features will cater to your needs and get your business going.