- How could your takeaway business change if you knew that 90% of your potential customers read promotional messages within three minutes of receiving them?
- Would your business grow more if the response rates to your outreach efforts were as high as 45%?
- About 20% of the efforts from text message marketing for takeaways receive a click. In comparison, over 90% of customers prefer this communication channel with companies over the other options.
- Those figures add up to one truth: it’s time to consider SMS marketing for your takeaway business.
What is the SMS marketing advantage UK takeaways gain?
SMS marketing has been a game-changer for the UK’s bustling takeaway industry. In a market flooded with options, grabbing customer attention is vital. That’s where this investment steps in. It’s fast, direct, and, most importantly, almost always read by the recipient.
Immediacy is what drives SMS conversions. When a text pings on your phone, you read it, right? This marketing option boasts a staggering 98% open rate!
Compare that attention to what email marketing receives, assuming the message reaches the recipient’s inbox. Most of your work in this area gets sent to junk or promotions folders, whereas SMS texts go straight to a mobile device and are acted upon.
Imagine sending a “buy one, get one free” takeaway deal right around the end of the workday when everyone is hungry, tired, and looking for a quick meal. It’s intelligently effective.
There is also the analytics benefit to consider. Many of today’s best SMS marketing platforms offer real-time tracking to see who opens messages, acts on the information, or ignores it. That data helps you adjust future campaigns to deliver even better results.
Takeaways focus on obtaining phone numbers more than any other data point for contact information. It makes sense to start SMS marketing to UK consumers with this approach.
SMS marketing in the UK creates a personal connection
Modern SMS platforms let you segment your audience. If you think about basic preferences, this investment allows you to send vegan discounts to customers following that preference or meaty deals to carnivores.
Tailoring messages like this boosts engagement because it shows your customers that you know and care about them. That outcome is a shortcut to loyalty.
How to get started onUK takeaway SMS promotions?
Starting UK takeaway SMS promotions can be an excellent way to engage your customers and boost sales. If you’re looking into this opportunity, here are the steps you’ll want to follow as you launch your first campaign.
- The UK has strict laws around data protection and electronic communications, so do your homework before sending a text. It helps to ensure you know of any legal issues you must resolve before proceeding.
- Find an SMS service provider that aligns with your needs. Look for features like message templates, analytics, and easy-to-use interfaces to start your marketing efforts while putting your best foot forward.
- You’ll need consent to send texts to your customers. You can collect phone numbers through opt-in forms on your website, at the point of sale, or through social media campaigns.
- Draft a concise, engaging text that offers real value. Whether it’s a discount, new menu item, or special event, make it compelling to attract attention.
- Before sending out the information for your first UK takeaway SMS promotion, route that text to a few trusted team members. You can review the information together to ensure the message is clear and the call to action is compelling.
Once you’re confident, send the SMS to your customer list. Use analytics to track open rates, click-through rates, and sales conversions.
After those texts go out to the world, you’ll want to track the information on your campaign products so that you can refine and segment for more targeted messaging in future efforts.
Choosing an ePOS platform that allows you to manage SMS marketing and other components of your takeaway business simplifies your workflows. Grafterr delivers the all-around solution that UK providers of any size can use to create authentic relationships with their customers.
What about the legality concerns of UK SMS takeaway marketing?
Thankfully, SMS marketing often includes opt-in/opt-out features, keeping things above board. A simple “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” keeps you compliant with laws and respectful of customer choice while meeting current rules and expectations.
When you work with a trusted platform, including an all-around ePOS solution, you’ll have access to the tools needed to stay compliant. One investment allows you to scale your takeaway business as you see fit while reducing risks of adverse outcomes.
Types of SMS campaigns to consider
When structured correctly, an SMS campaign can be a versatile tool for engaging takeaway customers. You have several options from which to choose when reaching out to your audience this way, so it helps to think about how people want to interact with your business.
Ten primary SMS campaign types are available. You can choose any or all of them, although each has its own best practices. If you’re starting this journey, consider selecting one or two of the following to ease yourself into this investment.
1. Promotional campaigns
These SMS texts are the classic “deal alerts.” Use them to announce sales, special offers, or new products.
2. Transactional texts
You use these automated messages to reach a customer when they buy something from your UK takeaway business. If you have an online dashboard or account management system, it could also be set up to send alerts when account changes occur. This marketing effort aims to keep people informed while building trust.
3. Reminders
If you allow reservations for in-person dining or use a queue for takeaway orders, this SMS marketing idea can reduce no-shows.
4. Event invitations
Are you hosting specific promotions at your location? If so, this marketing effort often delivers a higher engagement rate than email or other channels.
5. Loyalty programs
You can use SMS to keep your most loyal customers in the loop. Exclusive offers can make them feel special!
6. Feedback loop
Fast, one-question surveys can help you understand customer satisfaction. It is an easy way to see if you’re doing things right or catching problems before they become more prominent so that you can keep growing your business.
7. Content sharing
If you publish a blog or release new video content for your takeaway business marketing, SMS can drive traffic to that content. You can structure each text with a link that guides people to specific items that drive more conversions.
8. Re-engagement
For customers who haven’t interacted with your brand for a while, a friendly “We miss you” text can work wonders for your takeaway business. It helps the recipient feel connected to you, putting what you offer at the top of the mind again.
9. Holiday wishes
Simple holiday or birthday greetings can develop “humanness” for your brand and foster goodwill. Even if this SMS effort doesn’t translate to transactions, you can still set the stage for future marketing efforts to deliver your desired outcomes by fostering positive feelings.
10. Real-time updates
These texts are instant messages that provide real-time info, like order tracking or inventory updates. If customers are segmented into their typical takeaway orders, you can tell them when limited-time items are back on the menu or discounts are available.
Takeaway marketing strategies UK best practices
UK SMS advertising for restaurants is a powerful tool for your takeaway business, but it is crucial to do it correctly. Looking at some best practices can help determine if this option is right for you.
First, getting consent is critical to your success. Always get an explicit “yes” from a customer or prospect before sending a promotional text. Even a simple checkbox on a signup form can be enough to clear this hurdle.
Secondly, send personalised messages whenever possible. Using someone’s first name makes marketing feel more organic than a general message.
It helps to keep your SMS texts brief. You have 160 characters to send a profound message, so keep the pitch clear and concise. That will make your offer easier to understand.
Thirdly, consider when you send messages with your SMS marketing platform. If you have texts delivered at odd hours, you might see higher unsubscribe requests. Stick to weekdays and regular business hours for the best impact.
Don’t forget to include an opt-out option to stay compliant with the current rules.
Is it time to consider an SMS marketing campaign?
If you’re still relying on the one-channel marketing approach for your UK takeaway business, it is time to embrace the benefits of SMS messaging. With an investment in this area, you can send out special offers and receive almost immediate feedback.
An ePOS platform like Grafterr simplifies your workflows while delivering multiple benefits for your UK takeaway business. Through improved management and process simplification, you can implement best practices from start to finish with your sales funnels.
People tend to keep their phones within arm’s reach. Your texts are like one-on-one conversations that promote your business while centralising a relationship with the recipient.
Starting your SMS marketing journey now ensures that fewer customers slip away. Start texting to boost your business!
