In today’s fast-paced food service industry, simplicity is the name of the game. Your customers want a seamless and familiar way to order from your restaurant at a moment’s notice. While a third-party delivery app gives you greater reach, it comes with prohibitively high commission rates that prevent your restaurant from making any profit. What you need instead is a direct method of ordering. And one of the most powerful tools out there is a WhatsApp page.
A dedicated WhatsApp page is your restaurant’s digital shop window on the world’s most popular messaging platform. That’s more professional than a personal number, and it opens up the door to creating an extremely branded, streamlined and personal ordering system that your customers will love.
Why a WhatsApp Page is a Game-Changer for Restaurants
This is the beauty of using a WhatsApp Web because it’s fast, simple and universal. Almost everyone has WhatsApp installed on their phone and checks it multiple times each day. By adding orders to this already existing habit, you remove the friction: your customers don’t have to download a new app or create an account, or fumble through an unwieldy website to order stuff. They simply message you like they would an old friend: this open relationship fosters a sense of engagement and trust that some nonpersonal apps just can’t match. Plus, because you have complete control over the data and relationship between you and your customer, you don’t have to adhere to restrictions and costs of other third parties.
Setting Up Your Restaurant’s WhatsApp Ordering System
It’s simple actually. Now download the WhatsApp Business app (yes, it’s a business-specific app! ). Create your business profile and make sure to fill all the necessary details like: Name of the restaurant; Restaurant category; Physical address; Hours of operation; [a link to your full menu] (posted on your website or as a PDF). Logo is very important as the profile picture. A verified profile is now your official WhatsApp page for communicating with customers.
See also: The Future of Financial Technology (FinTech)
Streamlining the Ordering Process with Quick Replies and Catalogs
It takes automation to ensure you can take care of your orders efficiently without becoming overwhelmed. The WhatsApp Business app already includes two valuable features: Quick Replies and Catalogs. Quick Replies are pre-made messages that answer more commonly asked questions. You can set up replies such as “What are your hours? ”, “Do you have vegan options? ” or “What is your address? ” by using a shortcut (like /hours).
The Catalog is the digital menu you create. You can create stunning photos of all of your dishes. You can add descriptions of each dish, and include prices. When a customer asks you for the menu, you can send them right away a link to your professional swivel catalog of dishes. This aesthetic element of the catalog increases order values dramatically due to the visual appeal of your products.
Broadcasting Daily Specials and Promotions
Another huge advantage of a WhatsApp page is broadcast updates. Imagine you could send a simple message to the people who are your most loyal customers to let them know about your new daily special, a holiday offer or even a weekend discount. You can create a broadcast list of customers who you’ve “opted in” to receive messages. This highly targeted marketing is very effective and drives sales right away, as well as reduces waste due to marketing of ingredients which might need to be sold.
Enhancing Customer Service and Building Loyalty
The personal touch offered by WhatsApp can make for a great customer service experience. Instead of waiting on hold on the phone, customers can answer questions ephemerally, check their order status or post feedback. This creates a voice for your business and makes customers feel heard. You can also use this platform to give out personalized thank-you notes, send discount codes for the next purchase, send a happy birthday message to customers… This level of personalized service is what will turn customers into loyal clients who will choose you over your competitors.
Managing High Volume and Scaling Your Operations
Now that orders seem to be coming in a flurry on your WhatsApp page, you may have wondered how to keep up with them. If you are still selling within a smaller business, having a standalone order device and using clear stickers to label all texts (like “New Order, ” “Order Ready, ” “Query”) may help to manage them. For larger restaurants it may be a good idea to invest in an official WhatsApp Business API package. This way you will be able to integrate WhatsApp with your existing order management system, enable automated greetings, and even use chatbots to process the initial order check/query and collect it from customers.
The Essential Direct Ordering Channel
In conclusion, a well-managed WhatsApp page is no longer just something restaurants can buy to sit back and enjoy. It’s a necessity in the rise of their operations and the way they can really thrive. You have a direct, affordable channel to take orders, promote special offers, and deliver excellent customer service. To meet customers on a platform they already know and love you create a frictionless journey from craving to confirmation and build one loyal customer base at a time. Simply put, for any restaurant interested in thrive, developing a dedicated WhatsApp page for orders is a smart idea.
