Over 3 billion people in the world currently use smartphones, and that number is growing daily. By reaching customers on their phones, restaurants, as well as fast food and dessert places can increase retention and attract new business.
The goal of any business is to drum up interest and bring customers in the door, and restaurants are no exception. What are some benefits of using restaurant text messaging to do this?
Global - Your customers are texting. In fact, over 15 million texts are sent around the globe every minute. Conversations are happening all around you, and by sending messages for your restaurant, you become a part of the conversation.
Instant contact - It is estimated that 90% of messages are read within 3 minutes. In the past, a mailed coupon may have reached one community after several days. Now, restaurant text coupons can be sent instantly around the world.
Personal connection - SMS messages are typically exchanged between close friends and family. They represent a personal method of communication, and now your restaurant can become a part of it. This personal connection is part of why 75% of users prefer to receive texted offers over other methods of communication.
Easy to use - SMS messages aren’t just easy for your consumers. Using them for your restaurant is easy as well. With template and campaign suggestions built into the software, starting is simple.
Budget friendly - Traditional forms of advertising such as billboards or mailed flyers are not very cost effective. Individual messages, however, are able to be customized to your specific needs and only cost pennies per message.
Trackable - Campaigns through a marketing platform provide unique analytics that were not previously available for marketing campaigns before the digital age. By monitoring how customers interact with your restaurant text alerts, the software can provide actionable information to inform your future offers.
Mobile - While it goes without saying that restaurant text messages are mobile, for coupon campaigns this is key. Traditional mailed coupons are easy to misplace and never use. Mobile phone users, however, have their phones with them at all times, actively using their phones for over 5 hours per day. Customers who receive deals and coupons via SMS are more likely to retain and use the coupon at your restaurant.
With all the benefits to text marketing for restaurants, it is easy to see why so many businesses are implementing the solution for their restaurant promotions. Here are some examples of the type of message you may send to your subscribers:
Reservation confirmation
Table ready alert
Loyalty programs and offersWeekly specials
Exclusive restaurant coupons
Event invitations
Engaging with customers on their personal devices requires following certain compliance rules and regulations. An organization called CTIA represents the U.S. Wireless communications industry and requires that all SMS marketing programs include the disclaimer “message and data rates may apply”.
This disclaimer is required to be included in the initial opt-in message at the very least. Your restaurant text messaging platform will guide you in remaining compliant with all regulations.
Textedly is a leader in SMS marketing and already serves many restaurants as their top choice for texting. Textedly software is simple to implement and offers many unique features such as longer message length (300 characters as opposed to the standard 160), unlimited subscribers, scheduled messages, free incoming messages, and so much more.
Using Textedly to streamline communication with your customers is quick and easy. The software comes with an easy to use online dashboard to manage all your features in one place. If you aren’t convinced that they are the right solution for your restaurant, consider signing up for a free 14-day trial and test all the features for yourself.
