Why You Need to Expand Your Digital Footprint
Though society had gradually become more and more technology oriented over the years, nobody could have predicted the breakneck speed at which it would shift into the digital space when the COVID-19 pandemic hit worldwide. The shift was felt across all industries: Office workers shifted to working from home, students to learning from home and restaurant diners to eating from home.
The key to finding restaurant success during the pandemic has been readily embracing technology and adapting to the changing demands of the consumer. The dining room is no longer the customer’s main consumer focus—now, it’s all about delivery.
You Need to Rapidly Adapt to Changes
Brands across the country knew they would need to adapt quickly to changing consumer preferences in order to continue thriving, including ramping up digital offerings. Though many restaurants already work with multiple third-party delivery companies to bring food to their customers, streamlining delivery by working with one third-party delivery partner allows restaurants to create a better and more consistent experience. To provide a completely seamless experience for guests, online ordering technology should also be integrated with third-party delivery systems.
For brands that are looking to move in this direction, businesses should consider the associated costs, offerings, support and experience a central delivery partner would be able to provide. In the restaurant industry, high-quality food and a high-quality experience aremore important than ever before, so it’s crucial to ensure the digital customer experience is on par with existing dine-in expectations.
Partnerships Can Be Rewarding
When done correctly, a firm third-party delivery partnership can be a benefit for businesses, driving an increase in online and delivery orders. Companies may consider boosting their partnership with ongoing marketing, including emails, web content, social posts in-store POP and bag stuffers, further driving awareness and sales when officially launched.
Restaurants may also take advantage of the customers’ shift toward digital platforms as an opportunity to roll out e-gift cards, which can drastically drive up gift card sales among the digital and eco-friendly crowds.
Maintain a Quality Customer Experience
This digital-minded approach can allow companies to maintain the same high-quality experience customers have come to expect while also letting brands seamlessly transition to the current digital- and delivery-forward climate. As they find success with these types of rollouts, brands should be sure to continually evaluate their digital partnerships and integrations to further expand their digital footprint and make it as easy as possible for their customers to have access to their food.
