How Technology Is Affecting The Restaurant Industry Right Now
Technology has taken our entire lives by storm, in almost every way one can think of. And from what it looks like, the impact will only increase in the days to come. Be it our personal lives or the way we work, digitalization and technology have revolutionized the entire picture. This is very much evident even in the restaurant industry, be it in the way customers pay for their meals, how restaurants interact with customers or even the way some restaurants are repurposing used oil to power delivery vehicles. Let’s look at how technology is drastically transforming the restaurant experience:
- Communication with the public: these days, customers can simply turn to the Internet for information of anything under the sun. If your restaurant is not easily visible online, you will surely lose out on new customers. These days, it is imperative to establish your presence on the Internet, with a website, social media handle, or both. Restaurants should also sign up for as many lists as possible, such as Yellow Book, White Pages, Trip Advisor, Urbanspoon, etc.
- Social media: with social media, restaurants are building their own individual brand and reaching out to diners online like never before. The success of restaurants these days can be largely attributed to Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms here new customers can be acquired, unique content can be shared, and a buzz can be generated. You can also leverage it to extend the bond with your current patrons. While some restaurants have their chefs interact directly with their customers, others use social media toshare healthy recipes or updates about events going on at the restaurant or in the area.
- Mobile technology: your website should be easily accessible via mobile devices studies suggest that 60% of all searches are done via mobiles. Your business plan for restaurant should also incorporate a strong presence on the sites where people using a mobile device commonly search.
- Online reviews: blogs and social media can now make or mar a restaurant’s fortunes, so to say. Through online reviews, customers share their experiences immediately, which can spread far and wide. If it’s positive feedback, well, that’s good news for your business; harmful reviews on the other hand can have an equally adverse impact. If you want to make a mark in the restaurant industry of today’s times, you will have to learn the tricks of dealing with bloggers and online reviews.
- Increased risk for restaurants: most restaurants in today’s times need data breach and cyber liability insurance. Too many businesses are failing to protect themselves from the risk of data breaches. The worst part is, hackers will target you irrespective of the size or the scope of your business. Before planning how to open a restaurant in Dubai, it is wiser to secure proper insurance coverage, or your business may not survive, if it falls a prey to data breach.