TLDR

As a restaurant owner, incentivizing customers to download your mobile ordering app should be a top priority. Providing special offers and exclusive deals through the app is an effective way to drive downloads, as demonstrated by restaurants like Dough & Co. Pizza, Iron Paffles and Coffee, and Cupcake & Espresso Bar. This article will provide you with actionable strategies and real-world examples from these businesses and others on how you can motivate patrons to download your app by offering discounts, loyalty programs, and other creative promotions tailored specifically to app users. With the right incentives, you can increase mobile ordering and create lasting relationships with customers.

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Offer Discounts for Downloading Your Restaurant App

Restaurants seeking to drive more mobile orders and build loyalty should offer promotional discounts and rewards for customers who download their app. For example, Dough & Co. Pizza offers $5 off a customer's first app order with the code "FIRSTORDER".

Limited-Time Promo Codes

Offering a limited-time promo code, like Dough & Co.'s "FIRSTORDER", encourages new customers to download an app quickly to take advantage of the savings. The sense of urgency spurs immediate action. Once customers experience the convenience of mobile ordering and your app, they will likely continue using it.

Ongoing Loyalty Programs

In addition to initial download incentives, restaurants should implement ongoing loyalty programs and rewards for frequent app users. For example, Iron Paffles and Coffee provides loyalty points and discounts for customers who order through their app regularly. Loyalty programs demonstrate an restaurant's appreciation for repeat customers and gives them an incentive to keep ordering via the mobile app.

Social Media Contests

Restaurants can also run social media contests where customers enter by sharing about their experience ordering through the mobile app. The contest could offer a free meal, gift card or other prize as an reward for downloading the app and raising brand awareness. For example, a restaurant could ask customers to share a photo of them enjoying a meal ordered through the app to be entered to win. This approach spreads the word about the mobile app through customers' networks in an organic way.

With the right mix of new customer acquisition strategies and loyalty programs, restaurants can effectively incentivize downloads of their mobile apps and drive a higher volume of convenient, satisfying mobile orders. Offering initial discounts and ongoing rewards, restaurants stand to gain new and repeat customers, boost brand engagement, and increase sales.

Make your customers feel special by offering birthday coupons in the app.

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Highlight Your App's Benefits on Your Website and in-Store

To incentivize customers to download your mobile app, prominently highlight its key benefits on your website and in your physical store. This strategy allows customers to clearly see the advantages of your app at multiple touchpoints, motivating them to download it.

Offer Discounts and Promo Codes

One of the most effective ways to drive app downloads is by offering discounts and promo codes that can only be redeemed through your app. For example, Dough & Co. Pizza offers $5 off a customer’s first order when they download the app and use the code “FIRSTORDER” at checkout. Similarly, Cupcake & Espresso Bar provides $5 off a customer’s initial app order. These types of introductory offers give customers a compelling reason to download your app and place an order.

Highlight Convenience and Ease of Use

Emphasize how your app makes the ordering experience more convenient and seamless for customers. For example, on their website Iron Paffles and Coffee prominently displays the message “Conveniently place your order. Receive loyalty points & discounts. Plus.. $5 off your first order.” This conveys the key benefits of their app in an simple yet compelling way. Similarly, your website and in-store displays should highlight messages like “Skip the line. Order ahead with our app.” or “Place orders whenever you want. We’ll have it ready when you arrive.”

Offer Loyalty Programs and Points

Many restaurants and coffee shops also incentivize app downloads by offering loyalty programs and points that can only be earned and redeemed through their app. This gives customers an ongoing reason to place orders through your app to earn rewards and benefits. Consider providing a certain number of points for downloading and installing the app that can then be redeemed for menu items. This initial incentive, combined with an easy to use loyalty program, will motivate many of your customers to become long-term app users.

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Promote Your App on Social Media and Online Ads

To increase downloads of your mobile ordering app, utilize social media platforms and online advertisements. On social media, create content specifically promoting the app and its features. For example, post about the $5 discount for first-time users, highlighting the promo code. Also post photos of menu items, emphasizing the convenience of ordering through the app. These posts should link directly to the app download page.

Paid Social Media Ads

Consider boosting high-performing social media posts to reach more potential customers. Facebook and Instagram ads targeting your local area may be especially effective. For a small fee, these ads can gain major exposure for your app. You can also run ad campaigns on Yelp, Google, and Bing to promote the app to searchers. Use eye-catching images of food and language emphasizing freshness, quality, and convenience.

Email Marketing

If you have an email list of loyal customers, send a message announcing the launch of your new mobile app. Highlight key features and any special offers for app users. Include buttons or links for readers to download the app directly. Email marketing to existing customers is an easy, low-cost way to spread the word about your new technology.

Cross-Promotion

Promote the app on your business’s website, receipts, and in-store marketing materials like menus or table tents. Offer the $5 first-order discount prominently on all of these platforms. This cross-promotion exposes both existing and new customers to the benefits of your mobile ordering app. With an enticing discount and persistent marketing across channels, you will gain many new app users and the convenience and cost-savings associated with digital orders. Through social media engagement, paid advertising, email marketing, and cross-promotion, you can successfully incentivize customers to download your mobile ordering app. By offering a discount for first-time app users, you encourage new customers to try the technology and gain the benefits of a streamlined ordering experience. With a multi-pronged promotional strategy, your app will gain major exposure and boost convenience and sales.

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Final Thoughts

You hold the key to increasing your sales through mobile ordering. By incentivizing customers to download your restaurant's app, you open new revenue streams and build loyalty. The examples of Dough & Co., Iron Paffles, and Cupcake & Espresso demonstrate proven techniques like discounted first orders and bonus points. Your own creative promotions can drive downloads, orders, and profits. Meet customers where they are - on their phones. Offer them irresistible reasons to use your app for delicious deals. You now have actionable methods to bring more customers to you through mobile ordering. The future is at your fingertips. Seize it.

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