While the recent quarterly reports for most major pizza corporations have shown another boost in domestic sales from online ordering, many independent pizzerias experience further financial trouble by staying offline. Singular shops, who do not have the financial luxury of corporate backing, either believe that they cannot afford full-scale internet branding or do not have the knowledge to create their own. As a result, many successful businesses are losing previously loyal customers to their online counterparts.
Online ordering has become the norm for many corporations. Recently Domino’s commercials have begun to encourage use of their website by focusing on the faults of ordering over the phone. The shift in preferred method is due to the fact that online ordering attracts more customers and brings in higher ticket orders. It is estimated that a menu posted online has a reach of 20% more customers, with many refusing to search for delivery or takeout options offline. In addition to that, the average ticket order received from an online purchase is an estimated 12-17% higher as a result of the food imagery that accompanies online menus and the upsell of additional items when prompted. When ordering from an interactive online menu, customers feel less rushed to make a quick decision and are more likely to add items that would otherwise be overlooked.
However, some restaurants are learning that a website, alone, is not enough to distinguish themselves from their corporate competition or to generate sales. Those who are finally venturing online for the first time may not immediately see the expected spike in sales. As technology constantly changes, so do the demands of customers who purchase food online. It is not nearly enough to play catch-up by building a website or online menu while brands, who have already established themselves online, explore other opportunities the Internet has to offer.
Companies like Hungry Media are now providing options for restaurants that are looking to tap into the growing profits of online ordering. Instead of positioning itself as another web design firm, Hungry Media is a creative digital agency that focuses on establishing a marketing partnership with its nationwide clients. By providing a fully functional website in addition to services that include online advertising and social media reputation management, this partnership helps restaurants target customers who are researching restaurants online before making a decision on where to order.
“We’ve seen a substantial increase in consumer demand for online food content,” says David Laiderman, CEO & Founder of Hungry Media. “The clients we’ve helped make that shift have seen steady increases in month over month in sales. The flexibility we have with online content, promotions, and customer interactions allows us to help our smaller clients compete against the big boys.”
Unlike firms who are only going after the big corporations, Hungry Media works with restaurants of all sizes to meet budgetary needs. Anyone from the owner of a Mom-and-Pop shop to the manager of a franchise can get set up with high-end website featuring an online ordering menu. Flexible payment plans and low-to-no start-up fees make it possible for online menus to launch quickly, avoiding further profit loss for the restaurant. Plus, with a 24/7 help-line, restaurant owners will be able to update their menu at anytime, even outside of traditional business hours.
With companies like Hungry Media, helping restaurants get a competitive edge in online ordering, there’s no reason for pizza businesses to stay offline any longer. Online facts collection site
About Hungry Media
Hungry Media is a leading creative digital marketing company and a marketing partner for restaurants nationwide. By using a combination of internal data, industry expertise, social media, and online research, they can coordinate and implement a more efficient digital approach for their restaurant clients.
Hungry Media’s subsidiaries include College Advertising Solutions, Reward Trail, Snack Social, Hungry Web Designs, and MenuDrive. These companies offer services in online ordering, advertising, creative development, reputation management, and digital media, providing restaurants with several options to improve their digital footprint. For additional information, call 877-786-1222 or visit www.hungrymedia.com
