Channel Mobile are one of South Africa leading mobile solution providers. So being in the same Cape Town neighborhood The Heavy Chef team decided to pop in on them and pick up a few useful tips.
Gavin and Rob from Channel Mobile shared 5 quick tips on how a restaurant could use mobile to make their business more profitable:
1) Decrease your number of no shows by sending them an SMS reminder that they have booked for that evening.
2) On quiet nights push out an sms to your regulars with specials to entice a potential diner.
3) Build your database by enticing clients to leave their cell numbers and opt in to receive special offers – as a loyal customer.
4) Link the sms you send to your clientele to a mobi site which could contain the menu, the specials or just simple directions. It could also be used when they leave the restaurant to gather feedback which can be used to improve customer service.
5) Chasing outstanding invoices via sms has a higher payment rate as they are less likely to be able to ignore it:-)
The restaurant could also integrate Premium Rate SMS to their current marketing strategy to increase profitability.
They could advertise a shortcode (e.g. 31941) on the clients bill and incentivise the request to send a SMS to the number by offering the opportunity to win a free meal for two.
By sending the SMS the client has the chance of winning a dinner for two and in exchange you are able to grow your opt in database for future marketing efforts.
To ensure correct marketing practice you need to communicate the cost of the SMS on the bill and the fact that the client will recieve future business offers via SMS.
What about sending all customers a “feedback” mobi form to fill out after their meal? Which restaurant ever checks that you have really had a great experience? None of them!! They could get instant feedback and respond quickly to disgruntled customers and prevent negative word of mouth. POWER!
Comment
I like the .mobi idea, and along the same vein, you could offer them a USSD survey or menu feedback form. This has the advantage of working oacross all handset and is more cost-effective for the customer.