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How to Increase Sales at Restaurants Through WordPress

Apr 21, 2023

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You're incredible. The restaurant you run is thriving post-pandemic. You've proved your worth and demonstrated a lot of grit and business acumen. That's probably the reason why you're here!

Costs are rising and a slowing economy might make other entrepreneurs look at their feet in the sand, but yours is different. It's your responsibility to be proactive and nimble to improve sales in your restaurant and ensure that your business is booming.

This tutorial will show you how to configure your WordPress website so that you can directly accept orders, without the use of a third party platform, and regain complete control over online order.

We'll help you discover the immense potential your internet presence and social media community holds for your company.

Find out how to make the most of your WordPress website, and profit from the popularity of the membership model that is taking the dining sector to the streets.

What Tools You'll Need

If your site is merely a place to publish your menu and provide contact information for bookings there's a lot of catching up to do. However, that's fine.

You only need a handful of plug-ins and integrations to make your WordPress website into a powerful sales tool and compete with large chains.

It's also super simple with just a bit of inside information. There's no need for a whole lot of tech skills to accomplish this.

WordPress and  have made it simple to get non-techies to run their business online. There is no programming required.

Here are the tools that you need:

  1. WordPress WordPress: The most popular content management system (CMS) powering approximately 810 million websites.
  2. Easy Affiliate Easy Affiliate: The "all-in-one" affiliate program plugin designed for WordPress

How to Increase Restaurant Sales By Using WordPress

Step 1: Select the WordPress host and theme.

If you're not already running an WordPress site (sorry however, well-known builders such as Wix and SquareSpace do not have all of the features you need) you first need choose a web host.

After you've registered your domain 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 with a good reason. The ever-growing list of plugins and integrations make it highly customizable, so you can design the perfect membership plan for your customers.

watch >> 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 with recurring annual or monthly fees.
  • boost sales at restaurants through incentive programs for loyalty, or member-only discounts for regular diners,
  • to create a network that is comprised of loyal customers.

Not just large chains are taking advantage of subscription services. We'll look deeper into the ways restaurants of all sizes are leveraging their websites to create new membership services that are innovative.

Step 3: Install WPCafe as well as WooCommerce Plugins

You've put in a lot of effort to design an excellent menu, offer top-quality service and grow your customer base. So, why should the third party platforms charge outrageous fees and commission rates?

DoorDash is charged a whopping 30 percent to use their full marketing strategy. But even if you decide to opt-out of their marketing plan and instead pay a 15 percentdelivery charge, your company is still being marketed alongside those who are competing.

You could also connect your clients to these third-party apps. But who's to say you won't lose out to your competitors who are investing in marketing priorities?

Furthermore, you're subject to the platforms' ever-changing terms and conditions.

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

By utilizing WPCafe and WooCommerce, you can retain full independence and controlover your operations at just half the price of hosted platforms.

Step 4. Upload Your Menu

The time has come to add your menu items to.

In WooCommerce under the category Products, upload descriptions, create tags for categories, like starter, main, soft drink, cocktail, gluten-free, vegetarian, etc.

There's also the option to upload images of your meals so guests will be able to view what you're serving them.

Step 5: Develop the Customer's loyalty by implementing a Membership Program

Now you have all you require to manage your restaurant on the internet without third party platform, now it's time to think outside the box and find ways to build trust with your customers.

A happy number: a 5% increase in customer loyalty generates more than 25% rise in profit.

It's important to keep your existing patrons returning.

 However, customer loyalty is at a low point.

The rising costs are affecting how consumers are feeling about the brands they love.

Here are some not-so-happy stats: Almost a third (30%) of people say that the price hikes affect their confidence in the brands they trust, and 22% say they feel their loyalty to brands is decreasing.

Businesses need to find ways to provide value (or at least perceived value) to the customers they serve. And membership programs are just the ticket.

By joining a program for membership that rewards repeat business with exclusive offers and online content. Additionally, you can utilize your new website to cross-sell or upsell products and drinks.

Keep an eye out for helpful suggestions and examples of successful membership programs.

This kind of setup provides an income that is predictable and stable - making budgeting and forecasting a whole much easier.

Plus, if you offer various levels of membership, customers can upgrade their packages in the course of becoming more involved with your restaurant.

This is all feasible and can be done with ease.

Step 6: Drive the Snowball Effect with Easy Affiliate

In the restaurant industry the goal of increasing customer satisfaction has a secondary effect that increases overall sales: it brings many more patrons in!

Dining out can be social. Restaurants are different than, say, shopping outlets. People are looking for a good dining establishment and enjoy the experience with loved ones, friends or even their partner.

This is why the importance of customer loyalty is especially crucialin the restaurant industry; keep your patrons coming back, and they'll bring more and more people to them. Make sure that their customers come back and bring even additional guests with them.

Well look at that it's what's known as the snowball effect!

Membership programs can further drive this"snowball" effect. Offer rewards for bringing guests from your family or friends to your restaurants and encourage them to enroll in the membership program, too.

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

 Affili-what?

Affiliate programs are where people get rewarded by sharing their business's information with others. Every "affiliate" is given a unique link to your website. If someone makes a purchase or joins a club using their link, you can reward them!

With Easy Affiliate, you'll be able to reward your members for successfully in bringing their family and friends to become members. This is how to do it.

  1. Add the Easy Affiliate plugin onto your WordPress dashboard
  2. On on the WordPress dashboard, click Simple Affiliate and then Settings..
  3. Choose your Affiliates tab.
  4. In the area that says Registration Typeat at the top, where it says Registration Type,select the Private option.
  5. Switch On Automatically Add Affiliates so new members will be automatically sent an affiliate link to your site.
  6. Head to the Advanced tab.
  7. Edit the Welcome Emailto explain how everything is working to members of your organization.
  8. You can also select and edit the Send Affiliate Sale Emailto automatically send an email with, for example, a voucher reward when a person signs up by using the coupon.

Note: Easy Affiliate is designed to provide affiliates with a monetary commission on each sale from their unique hyperlink. If you'd like to provide vouchers they can use in the restaurant, be sure that you modify the settings and Ts and Cs to reflect this.

Strategies to reward members as well as increase restaurant sales

Incentivize frequent diners with special Offers

Remember, by keeping loyal customers sweet and loyal, you'll save on costs in the future.

Discount high markup menu items

If you're nervous about squeezing the margins of your business already strained Offer discounts on menu items with higher markups like drinks and appetizers.

Set minimum orders

There is the option of setting an order minimum (e.g. free drinks when you spend $X on your main) in order to make sure that you're still benefiting from this offer.

Do a members-only happy hour

You could also offer members-only happy hours to drive sales in slower time frames. Whatever makes sense for your company while increasing perceived value to your clients.

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Make sure the house always prevails!

Get Strategic to Increase Order Size

Participating in a membership-based restaurant program will give you many opportunities to boost sales and up-sell or cross-sell items.

 The time has come to become strategically.

Explore ways you could leverage promotions on your membership programs to encourage patrons to boost their spending.

Another option is to make use of combo or package deals. The customer who typically takes a main dish or soft drink of $20 may be attracted by a combination deal with dessert and wine for $28.

You can use data from existing customers' purchases to create targeted promotions based on the items they've already bought.

In this case, for example, if your patron typically orders the same meal every time they come to your restaurant, you can offer discounts on wine that pairs well with the dish. You can also offer a special deal on a meal at a higher cost that shares a similar taste profile.

You might just develop an entirely new favourite, costlier order, that customers will be returning to.

Create a unique online hub

A membership program doesn't have to be just about deals and discounts. It could also be an area where customers feel respected and are part of a prestigious community.

The installation setup process is simple and quick as well. bbPress offers you an admin panel that is unified, where you can easily manage and moderate forums.

The more your customers get out of their membership more they'll stay around and keep using your restaurant. Both the parties.

5 Examples of Membership Programs to Increase Restaurant Sales

1. Drink Clubs

They are also high-priced. moderately low price, and high perceived value, drinks are a great option to take advantage of membership offers and discounts.

Provide them with discounted drinks and guess where they're planning for dinner? at your establishment obviously.

Here are 3 examples of companies that center their membership programs around alcohol:

 Cooper's Hawk Wine Club

Cooper's Hawk restaurant offers monthly registration to its wine club.

Members can bring home 1-3 wine bottles from the restaurants "wine of the month" accompanied by tasting notes and pairing recipes.

They can choose between red, white, sweet, or the variety of wine clubs based on the style they prefer. The members can enjoy wines in the comfort of their homes with meals or order them to be delivered.

Members also get access to various other benefits including a $15 birthday gift and 10% discount on carryout or catering and also discounts on wine tastings.

Cooper's Hawk also offers gift membership! A great option for those who love wine as well as corporate gifts. This is a fantastic way for restaurants to grow their sales and introduce more customers to their business.

Boris and Horton Coffee Club

East Village's first dog-friendly cafe has a subscription to coffee for a month.

The members get eight drinks a month (which typically costs as much as $40) for $25.

The membership plan works especially ideal for independent, small companies that have a strong community. This is the case with B&H's dog-loving patrons.

 Panera Sip Club

Panera rolled out an $8.99/month unlimited coffee service in February of 2020, to great satisfaction. By July of the same year, the number of loyalty members had eclipsed 40 million.

Three years later, Panera has extended its offer to include a range of other hot and cold beverages.

Interview in an interview with Fast Casual, Panera's chief brand and concept officer Eduardo Luz, explains the benefits of its free drink model:

"Subscription services are commonplace in other fields, and coffee was one of the products we could see as fitting in with that model for a better and affordable alternative [...] in addition to providing an ongoing revenue stream."

2. Frequent Diner Member

With this membership model where diners are charged a fee for access to discounts and deals. When more customers dine at your restaurant, the better they save, as well as the more business you get from them - everybody wins!

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Everyone wins!

 Blood & Sand

The St. Louis restaurant Blood & Sand, members have to pay just $15 to enjoy numerous discounts including:

  • Discount of 20% on their bill
  • 30% of wine for take-away
  • Complimentary sparkling wine and appetizer
  • New member sign-up bonus
  • Table assignment with preference
  • Midweek reservations with guaranteed bookings
  • Free cocktails are served each time you visit 10 times.

3. An Exclusive VIP Experience

In this type of model, members pay a premium to feel extra special. This isn't about creating an experience for your members so much as giving them the ultimate luxury VIP experience.

 M Den

In London, Gaucho steakhouse and M restaurants have collaborated to for the development of M Den, a private members' club with exclusive discounts and invitations.

Their annual all-venue membership costs PS1000 (about around $1240) and comes with VIP benefits such as:

  • An invitation to an invitation to the "M stands for Monaco" Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend race.
  • An individual bottle of premium spirit of their choice.
  • Members only Lounge access to events only once a year.
  • Guaranteed restaurant bookings and VIP line.
  • Access to the Lounge of Members is unrestricted for five guests or more.
  • Four tickets to exclusive events featuring sports stars.
  • Monthly gatherings for networking.
  • Complete concierge services to help with travel, accommodation and other events.

Members can also access The Portal The Portal is the online portal that provides details of forthcoming events as well as other benefits.

4. Community-Supported Restaurant Memberships (CSR)

This is a great alternative for restaurants that are in need of funding in the beginning. It works on similar lines to GoFundMe or Kickstarter However, this is targeted at restaurant owners.

Patrons pay an upfront sum to redeem the same amount (or greater) for food or services at a later date.

You benefit from an immediate cash injection to pay for things like renovations or expansions. Your customers benefit from higher return on investment.

 Lenoir

Austin-based Lenoir restaurant gives patrons the chance to be part of Lenoir's CSR.

There are 3 levels of investing:

  • A $1000 amount will give you $1200 to their house account.
  • $2000 gets you $2500 on their house account.
  • $5,000 gets the homeowner a house account of $3,000 for a 5-course, private complete dinner for eight people either at your residence or their dining space ($3,000 value) Two complimentary knife sharpenings, first access to certain events and prior reservations.

5. Content Hub Membership

If your restaurant has solid branding, with traditional roots for its food You have the ideal recipe for creating an appealing online content hub for members.

Make behind-the-scenes video tutorials that share recipes, cooking techniques Food stories, pairing ideas.

 L'Oca d'Oro

Also based in Austin The restaurant, L'Oca D'Oro, is a restaurant that has won awards. a strong connection and branding around the Italian food.

The company offers two types of subscription via their website. Food lovers will opt for Fiore's Regional Pasta Club, priced at $90 per month, while those who want to become winemakers can opt for The Wine Share Club at $65/month.

Each month, participants are able to join The Pasta Club not only receive food items and pantry necessities as well as the opportunity to be immersed in Italian traditions.

Members take part in a cooking class with chefs Fiore Tedesco on a tour of the countries and cities that inspired his dishes telling stories and sharing recipes along the way.

L'Oca d'Oro combines subscription deals and online content for a unique exclusive experience for its members.

These examples should will inspire you to design your own membership program which rewards loyalty, brings you an income stream that is recurring, and boosts the number of sales.

Conclusion

This is how we've shown you the process, now it's your turn!

Make sure you set up your website for delivery orders, so you're no longer dependent on hosted third-party platforms. Take back control of your website by using WPCafe.

Then it's time to get inventive! Make a plan of what kind of membership plan works best for your restaurant and get your revenue flowing!

Here's a list of actions you must take to boost sales at your restaurant through your website:

  1.   Select a WordPress theme and host.  
  2.   Install the plugin.  
  3.    Include WPCafe and WooCommerce plug-ins.
  4.   Download your menu.  
  5.   Increase customer loyalty by implementing a membership program.  
  6.   Create the snowball effect by using Simple Affiliate.  

Have you found some interesting restaurants' membership programs? Are you able to offer suggestions on how to increase restaurant sales with WordPress? Tell us about it by leaving a comment below.

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Take Action today!

Revenues for your restaurant can be increased with your self-hosted membership program.