Retaining Customers Online - 5 Things Restaurants Should Try Out Right Now

Customer retention has become one of the major concerns of food businesses due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As many restaurants and food joints were closed because of the covid-19 lockdowns, the foot traffic dropped, and sales dried up. 

Now that life is returning to normal and businesses are reviving, the most effective and efficient option is to reconnect with the older customers and retain them so that they keep buying from you. If done right, you can go a long way with customer retention and make thousands of long-lasting, loyal customers. 

In this blog, we will take a look at five things that you can try to retain your customers better and increase your sales. 

1. Offer top-notch customer service. 

Your customers will obviously return if you offer them exceptional customer service. Hospitality complements great food and completes the dining experience. But if you do not reply to your customers’ queries and keep them waiting for a little too long, you will leave a sour taste in their mouth, and great food might also fail to be your saving grace. 

2. Make constructive use of CRM software.

When it comes to customer engagement, CRM (short for Customer Relationship Management) is your best buddy. CRMs acquire valuable data about your customers, such as their birth dates and contact details, that you can use to engage with them more effectively. They also tell you about your target audience’s preferences to help you make informed decisions and curate a food menu that they would love.

3. Leverage the power of online marketing. 

Running email campaigns to keep your customers updated and offering them discounts and exclusive promo codes will compel them to return to you just like the prodigal son. You can even send them push notifications on their smartphones, but avoid spamming. Social media is another platform to reach your target audience and bless their feeds with some useful content. 

4. Solicit customer feedback.  

Customer reviews and feedback are very important for all businesses. Your restaurant is no exception. Apart from letting you know what works and what doesn’t, they will also make the customers feel valued. If you face a negative response, you should promptly resolve the issue to ensure the customer is satisfied. 

5. Offer gift cards. 

Gift cards are a surefire way to make customers return. You can offer gift cards to your target audience, but they should include an expiry date. This will make them come back to purchase from you within a limited time period, which will increase your cash flow. Offering e-cards is ideal to avoid contact of any sort. 

The final word

With these secrets under your belt, you can definitely expect many familiar customers to return and order from you over and over again. 

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