A Three Part Guide to Optimizing your Restaurant's Digital Experience

Innovation is a vital element for any business to achieve success and stay ahead of the competition. One of the most significant business trends in 2023 is customer experience, which has become increasingly crucial for restaurants: According to Zhong Xu, the CEO and co-founder of Deliverect, despite the obstacles, restaurants may find new opportunities in the new year as diners continue to desire elevated experiences from their preferred dining establishments. While technological advancements and innovative solutions such as AI, QR codes, and ordering kiosks are essential for restaurants looking to optimize their workflow, it's essential to remember that in this day and age, the customer experience begins online. There are a multitude of actions that restaurant owners can implement to establish optimal digital experiences. 

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For starters,  it is crucial to focus on local marketing efforts, particularly for restaurants with multiple locations. The importance of localization became even more apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many consumers turned to digital means for their purchases.  Furthermore, focusing on localized marketing in a digital-based strategy is a great way to get discovered and get customers in the door: research shows that nine out of 10 customers search based on location when deciding where to eat out. Restaurants can enhance their online experience by providing customers with easy access to location information such as opening and closing hours, address, and contact details, as well as exclusive local specials, menu items, and community-building events.

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The next step is to integrate all digital marketing efforts. An effective marketing strategy should be both creative and cohesive. A brand's digital presence should reflect its website, mobile app, paid ads, SMS/MMS, newsletters, etc. For brands with multiple locations, managing multiple platforms can be overwhelming, but integrating them into a system like Appfront that segments marketing campaigns per any type of user group ensures that all information is cohesive, on-brand, and accurate. By incorporating the latest technology restaurants can sit back and develop innovative, targeted, and segmented communications with different customers according to location. 

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Lastly, it's crucial for any business to prioritize managing its reputation. Nowadays, before visiting a company, potential customers tend to check their online presence. Listing and review sites have become very popular among consumers. Restaurants are categorized by type, location, and services, making it easier for customers to get all the information they need. Thus, it's essential to have a presence on sites like Google, Yelp, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, etc. Negative reviews, slow loading times, failure to optimize for mobile devices, and false information can all contribute to customers deciding to take their business elsewhere. Therefore, it is crucial to keep track of each location's reviews and detect any localized issues that could negatively affect the customer experience. One effective solution for restaurant owners is to use an automated survey system based on consumer behavior to enhance their digital strategy. 

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With Appfront, any restaurant owner can make the online ordering experience simple, seamless, and rewarding while gaining the robust intelligence to personalize interactions, automate campaigns, and drive loyalty. Speak to one of our customer service representatives to learn more today.