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How to Increase Sales at Restaurants With WordPress

Apr 21, 2023

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You're incredible. Your restaurant business is intact post-pandemic. You've proved your worth and demonstrated a lot of grit and management skills. That's probably the reason why you're there!

The rising costs and the slowing economic growth could cause other business owners to stick their heads in the sand. But you're not like them. It's your responsibility to be proactive and progressive in order to boost sales at your restaurant and keep business booming.

Learn how to configure your WordPress website to directly receive orders without a third-party platform. Then, you can take back the full control over your online orders.

We'll also help you unlock the potential that your web presence and social media community holds for your business.

Read on to find out the best ways to get the most value from your WordPress site, and profit from the trend of membership that is taking the dining business to the streets.

What Tools You'll Need

If your website is just a place to publish your menu, and also give contact details for bookings You're in need of catch-up to do. However, that's fine.

You only need a handful of plugins and integrations to transform your WordPress website into a powerful selling tool, and to compete against big chains.

The best part is that it's simple with a tiny bit of inside information. There's no need for a whole lot of tech skills to pull this off.

WordPress as well  have made it easy for non-techies to manage their businesses online. No programming necessary.

Here are the tools you will require:

  1. WordPress WordPress: The most popular Content Management System (CMS) that powers around 810 million sites.
  2. Easy Affiliate This is the "all-in-one" affiliate program plugin that works with WordPress

How to Increase Sales at Restaurants By Using WordPress

Step 1: Select an WordPress Host and Theme.

If you haven't already got an WordPress website (sorry it's a shame that popular builders like Wix and SquareSpace do not have all of the features you need) you first need select a hosting provider.

After the domain has been registered, you'll have to select a WordPress theme for your restaurant.

Step 2. Install the plugin

is the most popular WordPress membership and monetization plugin because of. Its ever-growing library of plugins and integrations make it extremely flexible, which means it is possible to create the ideal membership program for your patrons.

Learn how to install on wordpress

You can do:

  • Profit from a rising trend in the world of restaurant business, which is based on subscription services that offer recurring fee, either monthly or annually.
  • increase restaurant sales through loyalty incentives or members-only discounts for regular diners.
  • and create a community of valued customers.

Not just large chains are that are taking advantage of subscription service. We'll look into more detail on how restaurants that are all kinds of sizes are taking advantage of their websites to develop new membership services that are innovative.

Step 3. Add WPCafe as well as WooCommerce plugins

You've put in a lot of effort to design a great menu, provide excellent service, and build your client base. What's the reason, then, that third-party platforms charge extortionate charges and commissions?

DoorDash charges a whopping 30 percent for their complete marketing strategy. Even if you decide to opt out of their marketing plan and instead pay a 15 percentdelivery cost, your company is being promoted alongside the competition.

You could also send your customers to these third-party apps. But who's to say you'll never lose customers to the competitors investing in marketing priorities?

Additionally, you're also subject to these platforms' changing terms and conditions.

With WPCafe it's simple for you to create your own menu and determine your hours of operation, number of available reservations, cancellation policies, and many more.

By utilizing WPCafe and WooCommerce You can keep your full autonomy and controlover your operations at just one-third the cost of hosting platforms.

Step 4: Upload Your Menu

The time has come to the menu items you want to add.

In WooCommerce Under the category Products, upload descriptions, add categories and tags for example, starter primary, main, soft drink and cocktail, gluten-free vegetarian, etc.

You also have the option to upload pictures of your food items so that people can see what they're ordering.

Step 5: Build customer loyalty with a membership Program

Now you have all you require to run your business online, without the use of a third-party system, it's the time to get creative and come up with ways to build customer loyalty.

This is a great statistic: a 5% increment in loyalty to customers generates more than a 25% growth in revenue.

It is important to keep your existing patrons coming back.

 However, customer loyalty is in a crisis.

Costs are rising and affecting how consumers feel about their brands.

These are not so happy statistics: Almost a third (30 percent) of customers say the price hikes affect their confidence in the brands they trust, and 22% of them say that they feel their loyalties are declining.

Businesses need to find ways to create value (or or at the very least, perceived value) to the customers they serve. And membership programs could be one way to do it.

With a membership plan, you can incentivize customers to return with special offers as well as online content. You can also utilize your new website to cross-sell or upsell products and drink.

Keep an eye out for helpful tips and examples of profitable membership programs.

This kind of setup provides an income that is predictable and stable - which just makes budgeting and forecasting a whole more simple.

Additionally, if you provide various levels of membership, customers can upgrade their packages as they become more engaged to your restaurant.

This is all feasible and is made simple with.

Step 6: Create the Snowball Effect with Simple Affiliate

In the industry of restaurants increasing customer loyalty can have an additional effect, which increases overall sales: it brings new customers to the restaurant!

Dining out can be social. This is what differentiates restaurants from, for instance, grocery shops. People want to find a great dining establishment and enjoy the experience with friends, family, or partner.

This is why customers' loyalty is incredibly significantin the restaurant industry; Keep your customers coming back and you'll see them bring ever more customers with them. Remain loyal to their guests, and they'll bring additional guests with them.

Well look at that, you have what's called an snowball effect!

Membership programs may enhance this snowball effect. Offer rewards for bringing relatives or friends to restaurants, and also encourage them to sign up for the program as well.

That way you're not just making sure your customers are returning, but you're also driving new customers through the door.

 Affili-what?

Affiliate programs are where people get rewarded by sharing their business's information with the world. Each "affiliate" receives an exclusive hyperlink to your site. If someone makes a purchase or sign-up for a membership using their hyperlink, you may offer them rewards!

With Easy Affiliate, you'll have the ability to be rewarding your members for inviting their friends and family to join. This is how to do it.

  1. Include the Easy Affiliate plugin onto your WordPress dashboard
  2. In on the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Easy Affiliate > Settings.
  3. Choose the Affiliates tab.
  4. Where it is written "Registration Typeat the top of the page, It says Registration Type at the top,select Private.
  5. You can turn on Auto-Add Affiliates which means that any new visitors will be automatically sent an affiliate link on your site.
  6. Click on the Advanced tab.
  7. Modify the Welcome emailto clarify how the system works to your members.
  8. You can also select and modify the Create Affiliate Sale Emailto automate the sending of an email with such the chance to win a gift card every time someone registers with their promo promotional code.

NOTE: Easy Affiliate is designed to reward affiliates with the possibility of earning a cash commission for every purchase made via their specific hyperlink. If you'd rather offer vouchers to customers who can be used in your establishment, ensure that you modify the settings and the T&Cs to reflect that.

Ideas to Reward Members as well as increase restaurant sales

Incentivize frequent diners with special Offers

Keep in mind that by keeping loyal customers sweet and loyal, you'll save cash in the end.

High-margin menu items at a discounted price

If you're concerned about squeezeing your already tight margins make sure you offer discounts on items from the menu that have significant markups, such as beverages and food items.

Set minimum orders

There is the option of setting a minimum-order rule (e.g. free drinks when you spend $X on the main) to make sure you're getting the most benefit from this offer.

Make a special happy hour only for members.

Or you could run members-only happy hours to boost sales during slower periods. Whatever makes sense for your company while increasing perceived value to your customers.

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You must ensure that your house always prevails!

Get Strategic to Increase Order Size

Having a restaurant membership program will give you plenty of opportunities to increase sales and up-sell or cross-sell items.

 It's time to get strategically.

Consider ways to leverage promotions on your membership program to drive members to increase their spending.

Another option is the make use of combo or package deals. Someone who normally takes a main dish or soft drink of $20 might be tempted by a combination deal with dessert and wine for $28.

You could use data from existing purchase by customers to create targeted offers based on what they've purchased previously.

For example, if a client is likely to order the same dish when they come to your restaurant, you can offer them a discount on a wine that goes well with the meal. Or offer a deal on a higher-priced meal with an identical taste.

There's a chance that you'll find a new favorite, higher-priced order they'll continue to return to.

Create an exclusive online hub

Membership programs aren't only about offers and discounts. It's also an area where customers feel valued and are part of a prestigious community.

Installation setup is simple and quick and bbPress gives you access to a unified admin area which allows you to handle and manage forums.

The more value your patrons get benefits from their membership and the more time they'll hang to the restaurant. It's a win-win for both the parties.

Five Examples of Membership Programs to boost restaurant sales

1. Drink Clubs

With their high markup, relatively low cost, and high perceived value, drinks can be a good choice to take advantage of membership offers and discounts.

Give them discounts on drinks and guess where they're choosing for dinner? In your restaurant obviously.

Here are 3 examples of businesses that have centered their membership plans around beverages:

 Cooper's Hawk Wine Club

Cooper's Hawk restaurant offers monthly membership to the wine club.

Members get to take home 1-3 wine bottles from the restaurants "wine of the month" along with tasting notes as well as pairing recipes.

The club can be chosen from red, white, sweet, or different wine clubs depending on their taste preference. They can either enjoy the wine at home with their meal or have them delivered.

Members also get access to many other discounts including a $15 birthday reward 10 percent off take-out and catering, and discounts on wine-tasting events.

Cooper's Hawk also offers gift membership! It's a great choice for those who love wine as well as corporate gifts. It's a great avenue to increase restaurant sales and to introduce new customers to their business.

Boris and Horton Coffee Club

East Village's only dog-friendly café provides a coffee subscription every month.

Members get 8 beverages a month (which could normally run up to $40) for $25.

This membership program works particularly well with small, independent firms that are part of a community, like B&H's dog-loving customers.

 Panera Sip Club

Panera rolled out the $8.99/month unlimited coffee subscription back in February 2020 to massive satisfaction. The following the year the number of loyalty members had reached 40 million..

Three years on, Panera has extended its offering to include a variety of hot and cold drinks.

An interview was conducted of Fast Casual, Panera's chief branding and concept officer Eduardo Luz, explains how the company's free-of-cost model:

"Subscription services are table stakes in many other fields, and coffee was one of the products we could see as fitting in with that model in order to provide a more practical and economical option [...] in addition to providing a recurring revenue stream."

2. Frequent Diner Member

Through this model of membership where diners pay for carte blanche access to discounts and deals. The more diners eat at your establishment, the more they save, and the more business you get from them - everyone benefits!

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Everyone wins!

 Blood & Sand

In St. Louis restaurant Blood & Sand The members pay $15 for access to numerous discount coupons, such as:

  • 20% off their bills
  • 30% off wine on the go
  • Sparkling wine, complimentary appetizer and champagne
  • Bonus for new members signing up
  • Preferential table assignment
  • Midweek reservations with guaranteed bookings
  • Cocktails are complimentary at every visit for 10 visits.

3. A VIP, Exclusive Experience

With this model the members are charged a fee to feel extra special. This isn't about creating the value of your customers, so much as giving them an all-out, luxury, VIP experience.

 M Den

Within London, Gaucho steakhouse and M restaurants in London have joined forces to in the creation of M Den, a private members' club with exclusive discounts and invitations.

A year-long membership at all venues costs PS1000 (about $1240) and also includes offers for VIP members such as:

  • A call to attend The "M stands for Monaco" Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend race.
  • The bottle is personalized with a high-end spirit of their choice.
  • Members only Lounge access to special events twice a year.
  • Restaurant reservations that are guaranteed and a VIP phone line.
  • Access to the Lounge of Members is unrestricted for up to five guests.
  • Four tickets to attend VIP events with sports celebrities.
  • Monthly social gatherings.
  • Complete concierge services to help with travel, accommodation and other events.

Members are also able to access The Portal The Portal is an online hub with details of upcoming events and extra advantages.

4. Community-Supported Restaurant Memberships (CSR)

It is an excellent alternative for restaurants that are in need of funding in the beginning. The concept is on the lines of GoFundMe or Kickstarter, but for restaurants.

Customers pay a lump sum in order to exchange the exact amount (or even) in services and food in the future.

Benefit from immediate injection of capital to help fund things like refurbishments or expansions. Your customers benefit from higher return on investment.

 Lenoir

The Austin-based Lenoir restaurant offers patrons the opportunity to become part of their CSR.

They offer 3 different levels of investment:

  • A $1000 amount will give you $1200 to the account at their home.
  • A $2000 amount will get you a $2500 credit on the house account.
  • $5,000 gets you a $3,000 house account and a five-course private all-inclusive dinner for 8 people at home or in the dining area ($3,000 value); 2 free sharpenings of knives, first access to events, as well as prior reservations.

5. Content Hub Membership

If your restaurant is well-established with solid branding and strong, genuine roots in its cuisine You have the ideal recipe to create an engaging online content hub for members.

Create behind-the-scenes videos sharing techniques for cooking, recipes Food stories, pairing suggestions.

 L'Oca d'Oro

The restaurant is also located in Austin, L'Oca d'Oro is a restaurant that has won awards. significant branding and a strong relationship on its Italian cuisine.

The company offers two types of subscription via their website. For those who love food, they can choose Fiore's Regional Pasta Club, priced at $90 per month, while those who want to become Sommeliers can choose the Wine Share Club at $65/month.

Each month, members who belong to The Pasta Club not only receive food items and pantry necessities as well as the opportunity to immerse themselves in Italian culture.

Members join chefs Fiore Tedesco on a tour of the countries and cities that inspired his cuisine, sharing stories and recipes as he goes.

L'Oca d'Oro combines subscription deals with online content to create the most exclusive experience available to their customers.

These examples should inspire you to create your own membership program which gives you a reward for loyalty, generates an income stream that is recurring, and improves the number of sales.

Conclusion

We've demonstrated the process, you're now the next to learn!

It is important to configure your website to take delivery orders so you're not in the hands of the third party platforms that host your website. Take back control of your website through WPCafe.

Now is the time to get imaginative! Think strategically about which membership program type is the most suitable for your restaurant, and then get that revenue pumping!

Here's a reminder of the things you should do to improve sales for your restaurant via your site:

  1.   Select an WordPress theme and host.  
  2.   Install the plugin.  
  3.    Add WPCafe as well as WooCommerce extensions.
  4.   Add your own menu.  
  5.   Build customer loyalty with a membership program.  
  6.   Get the snowball effect with the Easy Affiliate.  

Have you discovered an interesting program for restaurant members? Do you have any suggestions on how to increase restaurant sales with WordPress? Let us know via the comment section below.

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Increase revenue for your restaurant through your self-hosted member program.