In the competitive landscape of cafes in the UK, increasing footfall is not just a desire; it’s a necessity for success in the industry. After all, the more people who walk through your doors, the more revenue and recognition your eatery will generate. This translates into more chances for success and a thriving business that leaves its competitors in the dust.
But how do you get more people in? Don’t worry, as we have the answer. This blog will walk you through five tried-and-tested techniques to increase footfall in your cafe. Whether you are a seasoned cafe owner or just setting up your snack bar, these will help you draw customers in like a magnet. So, read on to make your cafe the go-to in town.
1. Local partnerships
Collaborating with local businesses or artisans through local partnerships is a premium method for boosting cafe visits in the UK. This approach allows both parties to tap into each other’s customer base, creating a win-win situation. When you partner with a local business, you can capitalise on cross-promotion strategies.
For example, if there’s a bookstore in the neighbourhood, you can ask them to put some of your cafe’s discount coupons at their point of sale. In return, you can display some of their books in your eatery. This cross-promotion can open up a new audience base of book lovers for you who may not have known your eatery otherwise.
Partnering with local artisans (musicians, dancers, and food bloggers) to host events in your cafe can bring in a diverse crowd. How about hosting art exhibitions or live music nights on weekends? This gives a stage to local artists and advertises their services while drawing in regular customers for you.
Plus, you can introduce exclusive products through partnerships (Think: introducing a “chocolate delight” menu by partnering with a local chocolatier). This collaboration generates buzz, attracting chocolate enthusiasts from the community.
2. Social media marketing
Social media marketing helps cafes showcase their unique offerings and engage with their target audience, which helps create awareness for your brand and increase footfall. In the UK, we witness widespread social media usage with 57.10 million active social media users. This means taking advantage of local platforms and trends can quickly drive customers to your venue.
Here are a few popular social media platforms you should dive in:
- Facebook: Create a Facebook Page for your cafe and join local community groups or foodie groups where you can share your updates and promotions. Engage with the local community to build a loyal customer base.
- Instagram: Instagram is popular for sharing visual content. Regularly post high-quality images and videos of your food and drinks, highlighting their presentation and taste. Utilise local hashtags and location tags to reach a wider local audience.
- Twitter: Use Twitter to share quick updates about daily specials, events, or promotions. Engage with local influencers or food bloggers who can help promote your cafe.
To increase awareness around your brand, add in compelling images, videos, and text descriptions of your offerings. This helps showcase the visual appeal of your menu and entices potential customers. Plus, it is always a good idea to use your social media to highlight your cafe’s unique culture.
Share what makes you special, like the design of your glassware, cutlery, and tables. You may also showcase your cafe’s ambiance, the vibe of the crowd you attract, and any entertainment options. Share what your customers say about your cafe to build credibility – nobody can ever go wrong with UGC.
Other methods for your UK cafe customer acquisition may be offering behind-the-scenes glimpses or contests and giveaways. Ask your customers to post reviews of your cafe’s food to be eligible for a free drink or 20% discount off their orders. This helps build rapport with diners but also encourages positive reviews, which can further boost footfall.
3. Loyalty programs
If you’re looking for effective cafe marketing strategies UK, loyalty programs are your go-to. A whopping 41% of customers state that loyalty programs influence their decision to dine in at certain restaurants. But why is it so? Well, customer acquisition is not an easy deal, making it more important to focus on retaining the existing ones. Loyalty programs, usually initiated through in-person sign-ups or online registrations, introduce a loop of positive enforcement.
They allow customers to earn points for every purchase or visit, motivating them to show up more for discounts or free menu items. Recognising special occasions like birthdays is also a cool way to strengthen the bond between your cafe and its customers. However, personalisation is key when it comes to loyalty programs.
Add a personal touch to your loyalty marketing emails by addressing customers by their first name. Send your emails for word-of-mouth campaigns or referral programs for existing customers who bring in new participants (refer our cafe to a friend and get 15% off your next order).
Loyalty programs can significantly boost footfall in your cafe by offering enticing incentives that keep customers coming back. Here are some specific loyalty program ideas:
- Celebrate with Us: Enjoy a Free Drink on Your Birthday
- Refer a Friend, Get 15% Off Your Next Order
- Frequent Sipper Rewards: Buy 5 Coffees, Get the 6th One Free
- Early Bird Special: 10% Off for Morning Visitors
- Loyalty Punch Card: Collect Stamps for Every Visit and Redeem for a Treat
- Double Points Wednesdays: Earn Rewards Faster
- Social Media Check-In: Show Us Your Post for a Free Upgrade
- Happy Hour Reloaded: 50% Off on Second Drinks Between 2 PM – 4 PM
All in all, tailoring your loyalty program to your cafe’s unique identity and customer base can help increase footfall and build a loyal customer following over time.
4. Community engagement
If the question of how to attract more customers to cafe UK is buzzing through your mind, community engagement is a powerful strategy for you. Being actively involved in the local community helps cafes get in the spotlight. Why? People are likely to visit a cafe that actively participates in neighbourhood events and initiatives.
For example, a cafe collaborates with a nearby charity organisation to host a charity bake sale. Customers who purchase items from the bake sale receive a discount on their cafe purchases. This not only raises funds for a good cause but also brings in customers who want to support the cafe’s charitable efforts.
Plus, engaging with the community promotes a sense of belonging. Customers who feel connected to your brand are more likely to pay a visit and recommend your eatery to others. Community involvement also demonstrates that you’re ready to take on social responsibility. This positive image can attract socially conscious customers who want to support businesses with a strong community presence.
Here are a few examples of cafes in the UK actively utilising community engagement strategies:
1. Hornbeam Cafe, Walthamstow
This cafe hosts various events promoting sustainable and low-cost living, such as a ‘Pay-what-you-feel’ community cafe and serving plant-based Palestinian street food. This engagement not only attracts customers interested in sustainability but also supports a charitable cause, SkatePal.
2. Café from Crisis, Spitalfields
This award-winning training cafe empowers the homeless by providing hospitality and catering training. Their community engagement mission helps end homelessness while building a loyal customer base that supports their social cause.
3. The Forest
A volunteer-run cafe that operates as a not-for-profit charity. Their pay-it-forward scheme, organic vegetarian food, and Fairtrade drinks create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages community members to give back while enjoying a meal.
5. Seasonal promotions
Seasonal promotions are a proven tactic to increase cafe footfall UK by tapping into the changing preferences and expectations of your customers throughout the year. To tailor promotions effectively, consider local holidays and the unique characteristics of each season.
For example, during the summer, you can introduce refreshing iced coffee variations or fruit-based smoothies to help customers cool down. Advertise these items with vibrant, summery visuals and promotions like “Buy One, Get One Half Off” during the hottest months to draw people in.
In the fall, embrace the cosy atmosphere by offering pumpkin spice lattes or warm apple cider. During the winter holiday season, launch limited-time festive drinks, such as peppermint mochas or gingerbread lattes, and deck your cafe with holiday decor. Consider a loyalty program where customers can collect stamps for each holiday drink, earning a free one after a certain number of purchases.
In the spring, celebrate the renewal of life by featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients in salads and sandwiches. Promote these as healthy, revitalising options after the winter months. Consider a “Spring Fling” event with live music or outdoor seating to take advantage of milder weather.
Conclusion
Boosting footfall in your cafe is not an unattainable dream anymore with the right strategies in place. While taking advantage of local partnerships in your area and amping up your social media game is vital, it’s equally important to streamline your operations. And that’s where Grafterr steps in!
With this POS system tailored for cafes and coffee shops, you can create customer loyalty, streamline customer orders, and cut costs seamlessly. It also helps you manage orders efficiently, track customer preferences, and implement loyalty programs effortlessly. So, why wait any longer? Combine your marketing efforts with the power of Grafterr to transform your cafe into the talk of the town. Take action now and watch your cafe thrive!
