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Restaurants Must Control Their Digital Ordering Experience

Restaurants Must Control their Digital Ordering Experience

The impact of the last year has fast-tracked the restaurant industry’s need for digital ordering, particularly for off-premises dining options. Restaurants have navigated through unique challenges to meet ever-changing customer demands while revamping their operational needs.

Research company eMarketer forecasts 44.1 million users on food delivery apps in the U.S. by the end of 2021. That said, digital ordering channels are vital for your restaurant’s success. Your business must have access to your brand-cohesive website as the central hub of your ordering operations. Learn why controlling your digital ordering experience is crucial for restaurant growth.

Get Centralized Customer Data

With control over your digital ordering channels, you reap the benefits of owning your customer data, which unlocks a wealth of information and opportunity. The real, long-term success of your restaurant lies in understanding the insights provided from your customers’ orders.

Whether customers order with text ordering, online, or through an app—these orders should automatically connect to your restaurant management system. Here, you’ll access unmatched insights to learn more about your customers’ preferences. Plus, learn what items are performing best at your restaurant, and where there are opportunities to scale your business.

Plus, this includes detailed reporting to market to the right customers at the right time based on their preferences. If customers order via text, this automatically signs up customers for text marketing. Their order histories will tell you what they order most, and when, so you can send personalized, targeted offers that are more effective than generic discounts. Whether you contact customers via email marketing or text marketing, you’ll increase sales holistically because you actively meet their needs. Centralized data can turn first-time guests into loyal, repeat customers with its digital marketing strategies once digital orders come through.

Don’t Disrupt Sales with Down Time

If a third-party provider handles your website updates on your behalf, there will be delays between when the updates go into effect and when they are published on your site. Restaurateurs save time if they’re in control of the process. Make necessary updates for weekly specials, new customer promotions, and meal deals quickly and accurately. This is crucial when it comes to making sure all your digital ordering options are in sync and can change at the drop of a hat. When you have multiple ordering channels —it’s essential to have the ability to make quick changes.

As the operator, you should control your digital ordering experience to make updates anytime and anywhere. If there are menu discrepancies between locations for multi-unit operations, update them within seconds. Once a promotion is over, remove it from your site without skipping a beat. This is better than the alternative of communicating with an individual with your provider’s company, wasting your already restricted time.

Create Brand Consistency

Your brand is the heart of your business, and your digital ordering experience is a direct reflection of your brand. Consistency is essential for optimal user experiences, especially if you are a multi-unit operator. When you have several locations, your menus and offerings need to be correct and clear for customers. Consistency helps your restaurant stand out from the competition and reinforce your brand equity in a massive, and highly-competitive, industry.

Providing off-premises options will give you access to an ever-growing market. The National Restaurant Association reported that 66% of surveyed adults had ordered takeout or delivery for dinner during the previous week. When you control your digital ordering experience, you can make sure your site shares all the information across the board. This will include digital ordering options, digital payment options, and digital marketing opportunities that will keep your brand top of mind. The most important information must be clearly communicated for all locations. Reliability builds customer trust and increases their brand loyalty. This loyalty should be nurtured through appropriate digital marketing avenues. There are plenty to choose from like text marketing, email marketing, and unique app notifications to spark order interest.

Need Digital Ordering Support? Let HungerRush Step In

Customers’ desire for online ordering options will last far beyond the pandemic. The most important solution your restaurant can have right now is control over your digital ordering experience. This helps you maintain your brand and make the most of your marketing data.

Whether you’re a multi-unit operator, or a single business with an extensive customer base, you can benefit from controlling your brand’s overall online ordering experience. To learn more about how HungerRush can provide support with your digital ordering experience, contact our team to schedule a consultation.