Most business owners know that it’s easy and less expensive to sell to an existing customer than to find a new one. You’re 50% more likely to make a sale to someone who is already a customer. And marketing to a new customer is seven times more expensive than hanging onto the customers you already have.
So if you want to keep business flowing at your restaurant, customer retention is key. The best way to increase customer retention is by providing great service. After all, 81% of customers are more likely to return to a business that gave them great customer service.
Here are five ways you can begin offering top-notch customer service and maximise customer retention at your restaurant:
1. Create a loyalty program
Loyalty programs are one of the best ways to encourage repeat business. Studies have shown that loyalty programs incentivise customers to visit more frequently. They also spend an average of 19% more when they redeem their rewards.
Make sure you choose a loyalty program that makes it easy for customers to sign up and track their points. And occasionally giving your customers surprise rewards is a good way to keep them engaged.
2. Offer online ordering or delivery
The best way to encourage repeat business is to make it easy for your customers to order from you. There may be a number of customers who enjoy your food but don’t feel like dining in on a busy Saturday night.
Online ordering or delivery services are great options for these customers. You still make a sale and they will appreciate your restaurant’s flexibility.
3. Encourage customers to bring their friends
Everyone loves a good discount and few people will turn down free food. Giving your customers a buy-one-get-one-free coupon is a great way to turn one repeat customer into two repeat customers.
4. Be consistent
Consistency is very important to customers, especially at restaurants they visit on a regular basis. Customers will expect the quality and variety of the food offered and your business hours to remain stable. If things change without warning, they won’t be sure what to expect and may quit coming back.
5. Choose the right playlist
There has been a lot of research done on how music affects both the mood of the customer and sales at restaurants. Studies have shown that the link between dining and the music selection in restaurants is crucial.
According to a study done by an Australian researcher, customers spend more money in restaurants where music is being played as opposed to no music at all. Just by regularly playing the right music in your restaurant, each customer will spend an average of £1.5 more.
Many restaurant owners don’t feel like they have to time to arrange playlists and think about the music selection. This is where Ambie can help. We’ll arrange brand-specific playlists for you and eliminate the frustration of finding new music.
Get in touch so we can learn more about your business and music needs.
