We live in a world where information and prospects are often found online. Most people use their mobile devices to search for products they want to buy. It’s also where they look for services they need.
All types of businesses are using the internet to reach their target market across the globe. The restaurant industry is no exception. If you’re trying to grow your food business, then digital marketing must be in your repertoire.
What is Digital Marketing?
Digital marketing is the promotion of products and services using a digital medium. It comes in various forms. The most common ones are setting up a website and sending newsletters through email. Creating social media accounts for your business is also a good way to reach your audience. It also helps in influencing them to buy your products and services.
Do Restaurants Need Digital Marketing?
The food service industry is one of the most competitive business fields out there. Restaurants face many challenges, especially now that we’re dealing with a pandemic. Digital marketing for restaurants will ensure you’re the top-of-mind choice of customers. A whopping 80% of customers go online to access information. They look for the location, the menu, and the price. Online ordering is also a big deal with consumers now. Revenue from online food delivery will reach about $312 million in 2022. That is from recent statistics.
It’s safe to say that investing in digital marketing is a must if you want to succeed in the industry. Here are other reasons to consider digital marketing for restaurants:
1. Your Customers Are Looking For You
There are billions of searches for restaurants every day. Prospective customers can’t find your restaurant? Then you can kiss those revenue-generating opportunities goodbye. It’s important to have a strong online presence these days. It means more chances to connect with potential customers.
There are a lot of websites that rank restaurants on various features. They also compile information about them like a flush book to make the search easier. These sites are being used by millions of customers. It’s in your best interest to make sure you appear on these sites and have a good reputation.
2. Digital Marketing is Cheaper
Advertisements are expensive, whether they’re in newspapers, TV, or radio. Digital marketing is more affordable. Check out Facebook or Instagram ads and you’ll see they cost less than TV commercials. There are also many platforms to use for digital marketing. For example, you can use email to send coupons.
3. You Create Relationships with Customers
Conversations in traditional marketing are one-sided. Digital marketing is more dynamic and engaging. You can get responses and feedback from your customers fast. Customers can ask questions or give suggestions on your websites. They can also go to your social media pages. What’s more, they can also provide feedback. Even if it’s not always positive, feedback is necessary if you want to improve your service.
The more you communicate through digital media, the more you engage customers. This creates a relationship between your business and your audience. As long as you keep them engaged, they become loyal customers! And that’s what every restaurant wants – repeat customers.
How Do You Use Digital Marketing?
A successful digital marketing campaign using the right tools available will help you reach a greater number of online customers. Here are some ways to do this:
· Build Your Identity and Share Your Story
People must know what kind of business you have. It doesn’t matter if your business is new or has been around for years. You can do this by sharing your story. Let them know what makes you stand out from other restaurants. What kind of food and services do you provide? Do you cater to small or big groups? Do you accept orders online or through phone calls?
You should also share photos of your menu. Make sure there are prices. Social media posts showing your restaurant’s interiors or the diners are good. They can capture interest. It’s also a way to build your identity. People will know your brand and your food. They’ll see what makes you different. They’ll also know what experience they will get from your restaurant.
· Offer Incentives
Give your loyal customers first dibs to your promotions. Keep them updated through your website, email, or social media pages. Come up with unique and exciting promos. For example, you can provide a discount code. Or you can offer a free dish to visitors who subscribe to your website. Prizes for those who dine in for the 2nd or 3rd time will also be welcome. These kinds of incentives help build your audience and encourage repeat sales.
· Get Listed on Review Sites
Prospective customers rely on other people’s feedback and reviews. They want to know if the previous customers had a great dining experience. It’s why you should ask customers to leave reviews on your social media pages. It’s also important that you get listed on review sites like Google or Yelp. These sites are a good lead generation tool. They can direct new customers to your restaurant. Reviews are also a great way to give customers an idea about your food and services.
· Accept Food Orders Online
The ultimate goal for any kind of marketing is to generate sales. If you can attract customers to order online, then your site will also function as a sales channel. Isn’t that great?
There’s no doubt that restaurants need digital marketing to help their business grow. Take advantage of the different features each digital medium offers. Consider using the various marketing trends. These will help increase your market and boost sales.
Say Yes to Digital
Your small business will do better if you have Tulumi Digital Marketing on your side. We are a full-service digital marketing company based in Orlando, Florida. We specialize in website design and content marketing. Our team of experts can also handle SEO, paid media, and social media marketing. You can reach us at (800) 481-1720. You can also email us at hello@tulumi.com.
