New digital trends and e-commerce innovations are changing the way people shop. Consumers expect convenient, frictionless experiences and personalization at their fingertips. You might think that online shopping is very different from ordering food online for pickup. However, they’re more similar than you think.
Why Is Curbside Pickup Important?
Parents With Young Children Like The Convenience
Parents are a huge market for restaurants. However, many parents don’t want to bring their kids into a restaurant, especially if it’s just to pick up a take-out order. Curbside pickup makes it possible for parents to place their orders online and not have to get the kids out of the car. For those with babies and toddlers, this can be a huge benefit that may make them very loyal customers.
All The Big Chains Offer Pickup
Think of any national chain restaurant, whether it’s a fast-food restaurant or a sit-down restaurant, you’ll most likely see they offer curbside pickup. These national chains already have the advantage of name recognition. By offering curbside pickup, you create continuity between the consumers’ purchase experience and can become part of their routine.
Grocery Stores, Markets, and More Are Offering Curbside Services
Your customers are experiencing the benefits of curbside pickup in other areas of their life. From grocery shopping, to shopping for clothes; they can shop in the comfort of home, and then get in their car to pick it up. No wandering aisles, searching for a pickup counter or struggling to load their own items into their vehicle. Customers have come to expect this simplified experience, which makes them want to seek it out in all aspects of life – including ordering food. If they want to order from your business or restaurant, but you don’t offer curbside pickup, they may order from a competitor instead.
Everyone Can Access Your Food
To comply with building codes and state and federal laws, your restaurant is already accessible for those with disabilities. But it can still require a lot of effort on a customer’s part to go inside your restaurant. If they’re feeling even slightly ill or the weather is bad, they could decide to skip eating out at all and make food at home. By offering curbside pickup, you allow those with disabilities to place an order for your restaurant more easily. Other people who could benefit from the curbside pickup include:
Seniors May Be Likely To Order Online
Older adults may be more likely to place an order online if they know they only have to get in their car and drive to get it. They won’t be concerned about slipping on wet sidewalks, navigating between closely placed tables to a pickup counter, or other issues that limited mobility may present for them.
2 Digital Strategies for Effective Curbside Pickup Services
If you want to attract more shoppers to your curbside pickup option, there are a few digital marketing tactics you can use:
- Promote the option on your social media channels. To get started, try posting an image of your restaurant with the pickup option highlighted. You can also try posting about the benefits of ordering online and selecting curbside pickup for your convenience.
- Try running a digital ad campaign focused on curbside pickup. Your ads should include a clear description of the service and a button to follow the link to your website. Try to target your ads to people who are more likely to order online, like younger customers and people in rural areas.
Takeaway
Curbside pickup provides incredible convenience for your customers. But more than that, it offers you a way to serve more customers without needing to expand your physical location or hours. Create a larger customer base by offering them exactly what they want. And that is a quick, convenient, and affordable way to have your food on their terms. With e|tab, we can help you do it all. Contact us today to request a demo or to learn more.
