The growth of E-commerce has had a significant impact on how we live our lives and the restaurant business is certainly no different.
The coronavirus pandemic offered a real-life example of our changing habits. As establishments were forced to close we had to find new ways to get our favourite foods – Deliveroo, for example, noted a 114% increase year-on-year in deliveries early in April 2021.
But the rise of Google and social media has also altered the way restaurants can promote themselves and, just as importantly, receive reviews and ratings from their customers.
So, just how has Ecommerce changed the restaurant business?
How the restaurant business has changed:
In the not-so-distant past, you would have to ring a restaurant to make a reservation. If you were travelling to a new town or city, you may even have riffled through the Yellow Pages looking for local eateries.
Nowadays, all you need is a smartphone and decent 4G service.
Bookings can be made via apps and platforms that would not have even existed 10 years ago, and of course, a quick Google search will offer a list of restaurants wherever you may be visiting.
Of course, with most of your favourite joints, you don’t even have to physically sit down in the restaurant. Most places now offer some sort of delivery or click-and-collect service, so for those on the go or those who just prefer eating in the comfort of their own homes, it has never been easier to get quick access to our favourite food.
The restaurants have to work differently to accommodate, ensuring they can cater for online orders and have enough delivery drivers to service the take-out orders. As for those drivers, doing hours on the road as part of their job, is gap insurance worth it? Most likely, considering the amount of driving they will be doing and bearing in mind that they will in many cases drive their own vehicle.
How social media has affected the business
The world has evolved over the past 10-20 years, and so too has the restaurant business.
Word of mouth is no longer the only way to promote your favourite restaurant or show off a new establishment you have enjoyed eating at.
Now, you can go on Instagram, Twitter and other social platforms to share photos, videos and blogs to talk them up.
Moreover, restaurants can use social media to promote offers and new menus, while new establishments can use their channels as useful marketing tools.
The importance of a good reputation
It has, obviously, always been hugely important for restaurants to have a good reputation.
News has always travelled fast, but nowadays it travels faster than ever due to the growth of the internet and social media.
People can now leave opinions while they are in a restaurant thanks to things like Google review, Trip Advisor and Yelp.
With star ratings playing an ever-increasing role in how people choose where to eat, it is more important than ever for a restaurant to have a good reputation.
