Free WiFi service is a great marketing tool that encourages customers to take advantage of a free internet connection. A study shows that Wi-Fi is one of the top technologies which have enhanced the dining experience across all age groups.
If you are wondering whether to offer free Wi-Fi at your restaurant or not, check out the benefits of providing free internet in coffee shops, bars, or casual dining restaurants.
1. Increases customer loyalty
Offering free WiFi services can help restaurants attract more repeat customers. A study found that 65% of restaurants with complimentary Wi-Fi have increased their repeat business. Another study revealed that tech-savvy patrons prefer a cafe or restaurant that provides free WiFi services.
You can encourage customer loyalty by providing free internet connection to visitors who prefer to stay longer. A survey suggests that restaurants can increase customer loyalty by 60% by offering free WiFi services.
Your loyal customers will always recommend your cafe to their friends, family and colleagues, thus helping you to increase sales.
2. Attracts more customers
One of the trending searches, “restaurants with free Wi-Fi near me,” shows that offering free Wi-Fi services can lead to increased foot traffic. Free Wi-Fi services are likely to attract professionals who like to work while sitting in a restaurant.
Most customers prefer dining at a restaurant, cafe or bar that offers free WiFi services. A survey shows that 53% of customers are happy to eat, drink and spend time alone as long as they have free internet access to check email and connect with friends.
3. Generates more revenue
Free Wi-Fi services encourage diners to spend more time and order more food and beverages. A study shows that 65% of restaurants achieved higher revenue by providing free internet access.
Working professionals and students are more likely to stay at your restaurant longer to finish their work if they have free internet access. By providing free WiFi to your customers, you can increase foot traffic, time spent and money spent at your cafe. Thus, you can also boost your sales.
In a survey, some 62% of restaurants said that customers spend more time in their venue, while 50% of restaurateurs found that their customers are spending more money since they began offering free WiFi.
4. Improves your marketing efforts
Offering Free WiFi is an excellent way for restaurants to promote and market their brand. But make sure you inform your customers that the network collects cookies when they login to access free WiFi.
You can collect information about your customers by allowing them to log into your Wi-Fi using their social media accounts or emails. Later you can use customer demographics for digital marketing campaigns and targeting potential customers.
By offering free WiFi services, you can build a database of customer contacts with information like location and number of visits. You can use this contact list to send personalized messages, coupons, or promotions.
5. Increases brand awareness
Customers are most likely to post pictures of their dining experience and meals on their social media pages by tagging your restaurant if you provide free internet. Thus, you can get free and easy marketing of your brand by offering free WiFi services.
Offering a discount or free dessert as an incentive can encourage customers to leave a review or post a picture of your restaurant. You can make it easy for your customers to post photos or reviews with free WiFi service.
6. Accelerates digital payments
Offering free WiFi services makes contactless payments much easier and more convenient. High-speed internet accelerates online payments and alleviates delays during the process. It lets your customers pay through digital wallets by scanning QR codes without any error.
7. Help you attract international customers
International visitors often prefer restaurants that offer free internet as it helps them to save on their roaming data plans. Also, a strong WiFi connection allows international customers to use an online translation website or app to overcome the language barrier.
Free WiFi services make it easier for international guests to find information and better communicate their needs. Offering an uninterrupted and speedy internet connection can set you apart from competitors who may have a slower connection or do not offer the service.
8. Enhances customer satisfaction
Offering free and easy WiFi access allows you to make your customers aware of the add-ons and special offers. Error-free payments and uninterrupted internet surfing keep your customers happy and satisfied. Free Wi-Fi access can also keep your customers entertained while they wait.
There are both pros and cons to providing WiFi services to customers.
Let’s weigh the risks now.
1. Privacy and cybersecurity concerns: Offering free WiFi makes your restaurant information vulnerable. So, keep the guest WiFi network separate from the network you use to run your business.
Also, ensure that you have a security system to keep your business and customers’ information safe. It will make your customers feel secure in using your internet service.
2. High internet bills: Offering free WiFi services to customers may increase the monthly operating costs of your cafe.
3. Slower table turnover: Free WiFi services encourage guests to stay longer, thus slowing down the table turnover rate. A busy restaurant with slow table turnover may lose business from its potential new customers.
Takeaway
While many restaurants believe that free WiFi access is necessary, some may shun internet usage to encourage interaction between customers. Offering free WiFi service is a great way to attract new customers, retain new and old customers, and promote your brand.
If you worry that customers will come in and buy only one item to sit for long hours to use free Wi-Fi service, limit the amount of time users can spend on your WiFi. Thus, it allows you to control how long people can use the WiFi without hurting your sales.
Start Growing with Orderific
Here are a few things you can do with Orderific by leveraging free WiFi at your cafe.
Design QR code – With Orderific, you can generate and customize QR codes for digital menus. Thus, your customers can order online by accessing the digital menu by scanning QR codes.
Build a website – You can create a website for your brand using a wide range of templates available at Orderific. These templates are highly customizable and can be modified to cater to your business needs.
Run promotions – Promotions of discounts and coupons can be set up and modified easily with Orderific. You can promote offers on your website, digital menu, or payment page.
Create a loyalty system – You can easily set up a loyalty program for your customers using Orderific. You can give points per order that can be redeemed later or offer complimentary drinks for repeat customers.
Customize menu – You can curate your digital menu at Orderific with vibrant pictures, ingredient lists, calorie value and AI-suggested combos. You can also let your customers customize their dishes by selecting or avoiding some ingredients.
Automate inventory tracking – Orderific provides a comprehensive dashboard to keep track of real-time orders, kitchen inventory and invoices for kitchen purchases.
When you prepare a dish, Orderific automatically deducts the amount of ingredients used for that dish from the stock and updates the inventory.
Get accurate insights – You can use Orderific detailed reports to determine the most ordered dishes, combos, or bestsellers on your menu.
You can connect with our team to discuss the benefits of using Orderific for your cafe in detail.
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