Restaurants are well-aware of the power of social media and already actively use platforms like Facebook or Instagram to interact with their customers.
Most of them are just scratching the surface, since it can be difficult to manually manage large campaigns and respond to thousands of queries.
Automation is necessary in order to derive the most value from social media presence, and for restaurants and similar establishments the time to act is now.
Deploying an AI-driven chatbot on a restaurant’s social media page can create a wide array of benefits, most of which are easily translated into profits.
Most experts agree this is the perfect moment to embrace this technology and leverage its unique nature to establish closer relationships with clients in a way that wasn’t possible until very recently.
“Social messaging chatbots make it easy for consumers to get answers and complete actions in messaging platforms they already use every day without the need to download any new apps.
Chatbots are capable of streamlining a plethora of tasks in the restaurant industry, it’s a really exciting time.” explains Ryan Dearlove, founder of Chit Chat Agency, a leading chatbot marketing agency.
Retain existing customers and gain new ones
It’s not easy maintaining a large circle of steady clients, especially when the competitors can literally put delicious meals in front of customers’ eyes at all times.
With a chatbot constantly engaging with existing customers and offering them attractive deals and expedient service, retaining most of the existing customers is far easier. Restaurant bots can respond to complaints and instantly alert the management about issues that are causing some customers to feel dissatisfied.
Chatbots are also very good at handling first contacts with potential visitors and helping them find the meals they would like to try, book tables at convenient times, etc.
With a good promotional strategy, conversational marketing can significantly boost the number of regular customers a restaurant serves in a very short time, and social chatbots are a cornerstone of this approach.
Promote the offering and execute upsell strategy
Of course, the number of guests isn’t the only parameter that restaurant owners care about – the average amount spent by each customer is just as important. This is another area where social bots can make a difference, as they are an excellent upsell tool.
When customers are presented with high-end dining options within the natural flow of conversation, they are more likely to try pricier items than if they were repeatedly targeted by ads. Thanks to data-driven analytics, recommendations can be tailored to customer’s taste and aligned with his financial abilities.
This is a great way to introduce new segments of the menu or to expand the appeal of niche specialties that general public isn’t aware of. By customising a social chatbot the right way, a restaurant can improve its bottom line even if it continues to cater mostly to its loyal customers.
Deliver integrated, real-time customer support
In addition to great food and reasonable prices, restaurant patrons also expect professional and convenient service. Automation can directly improve some elements of the service, for example by making the booking process more straightforward and interactive or by facilitating online payments.
However, systematic use of social chatbots can also create perfect conditions to improve customer experience through numerous types of interactions, from providing organic reviews to answering the most commonly asked questions.
Restaurants can react faster and offer fully integrated service through the digital channel, with chatbots acting as front-line scouts that identify opportunities and possible problems as soon as they arise.
Find a technology partner and start using bots today!
Social bots bring a whole another dimension to online presence and allow restaurants to thrive in the virtual space. While most restaurant owners lack the knowledge to customise and install a chatbot, they have a deep understanding of their clientele and the most pressing business needs.
Along with a technology partner specialising in social media automation, it becomes possible to create highly effective chatbots capable of intelligent conversation and real-time request processing.
After you choose a technology partner, adopting a chatbot-based strategy and defining the course of each interaction won’t seem so overwhelming at all.
