For the modern business mobile ordering is something that they must have.
It has become very popular and easy to place a food order from a Smartphone. Many feel that this technology makes it easier for customers to get what they want from wherever they are.
In order to have online ordering the company has to be able to accept a number of online payment options. Many of these orders are placed using credit cards.
Is mobile ordering good for both the customers and the restaurant?
In a study that was performed by eMarketer and Bob Kraut who is the CMO of Papa John’s, customers that order on their smart device are more loyal and spend more money than those that order through traditional means. Some companies such as Starbucks offer customer rewards for those that use their apps.
It is important to keep loyal customers and have a positive digital experience for any company regardless of who their target market is.
Studies are showing that the baby boomer population prefers ordering online because they do not have to wait in long lines. Millennials like online ordering since it is easy to do and the accuracy of their orders are increased.
Restaurants can see a boost in their sales once they enable mobile ordering. In addition to the increase in sales this can help a restaurant determine the group of people that are most likely to purchase their products and the ordering behavior of their customers. Digital Marketing Experts International can help set up online ordering capabilities for a business.
There are some challenges that a person may face when turning to online ordering:
• The technology for a single restaurant to add online ordering to their site is generally simple. Things tend to get more complicated for chain restaurants. For example Tim Hortons is a well known Canadian establishment. They are putting a temporary on the delay of their mobile ordering app because they feel that not enough testing was done on the app.
• In addition to testing out the technology a restaurant needs to develop a plan to manage the flow of new customers that are using the ordering app.
• Many restaurants have a separate line to prep mobile orders and online orders. This will make sure that in store customers still enjoy fast service. Starbucks has some issues with mobile ordering with the option to pay in the store. It decided to open a store in Seattle just for online ordering. While mobile ordering has lead to an increase in sales some restaurants are having trouble keeping up with the high volume of orders.
• In some cases stores are experiencing a customer overload. The average customers have around three restaurant apps on their Smartphone. It is a competition among restaurants to be one of these apps and remain on the phone. Stores want to build loyal customers and want them to download and keep the apps active.
Dunkin Donuts allows their customers to place their orders up to one day in advance. This makes it easy for customers to test out the app and see the benefit of this new technology.
The technology allows customers to repeat their orders or upgrade with a few simple touches.
The restaurant is also able to send a personalize message to their customers. They can add specials and recommend special items based on the weather conditions.
Spreading the word about the mobile app
When a company releases their mobile app they need to do some marketing. They need something that will get the attention of their customers and get people excited about this modern technology. Digital Marketing Experts International can help with this.
A company needs a specific marketing plan when they are releasing this mobile app. They should have a target audience in mind as well as those in a specific geographic area.
Social media can also be used to place adds to build excitement about the mobile app. Here at Digital Marketing Experts Internationalwe can help create the buzz about the upcoming mobile order app.
This company uses special software to place ads and helps customers increase a return on their investment in this app.
Does a restaurant really need mobile ordering?
At this current time not every single restaurant needs a mobile ordering app. As these apps create successful more and more companies are looking to add to their success by enabling mobile ordering.
For restaurants that do use mobile ordering they have a better chance at developing a lasting relationship with customers and bringing their business into this new digital time.
