Strategies for Faster and More Efficient Digitalisation in the Hospitality Industry

People carry their smartphones with them all day long. As a hospitality business, you need to capitalize on that. All smartphones now come equipped with a QR code scanner, which can be accessed via the camera. As a hospitality business, you can easily create QR codes online that link to promotions, your website, or social media. These codes can be placed on your menu or bill or printed as stickers. It's a very simple way to interact with consumers.

Moreover, smartphones now also have NFC functionality. It can be used similarly to QR codes but has even more possibilities. You can attach an NFC sticker to your menu or table, branded with your hospitality business's logo. When the customer holds their smartphone against the sticker, they can sign up for a virtual loyalty card. During their next visit, the customer doesn't need to search for their loyalty card; they simply tap it against the sticker.

In conclusion, digitization takes various forms and applies to different sectors in the hospitality industry, such as fast-food restaurants, sandwich shops, or pizzerias. Fortunately, it doesn't always have to involve a complex overhaul of your POS system or logistics. It's often about small things like using social media correctly, QR codes, or having a user-friendly webshop.

Do you want to start your own webshop immediately? Start here. Unipage is the fastest and most cost-effective solution, specifically designed for hospitality businesses.

In the hospitality industry, digitalisation is essential in today's society where everything is interconnected through the Internet of Things. However, as a hospitality business, you might be wondering how to go about it. There are so many ways to digitise that it can be unclear what the best marketing mix is. That's why at Unipage, we're here to explain some must-haves.

Reach Young Adults with Instagram

It might sound like a logical statement that you should be present on the second most popular social media platform in the world. However, not every hospitality business effectively does it. Let's go over some facts.

Instagram is the fastest-growing social media platform in recent years. In 2018, it went from 800 million to one billion users in just nine months. It has become an essential tool in the way we communicate today. Especially younger consumers constantly ask themselves, "Would I post this on Instagram?" The app has far surpassed its original mission statement and has even become a job for some. With a single post, some can reach from a thousand to a hundred thousand people.

Instagram has one billion monthly users who post and like content. Of that one billion, approximately 71% are under the age of 35 (statista, 2019). Thus, Instagram can be an ideal tool for reaching a younger audience for the growth of your hospitality business.

Create an Online Shop for Your Hospitality Business

Online shopping is now an integral part of consumer behavior. In a service economy, as a hospitality business, you must offer online what you do offline. A webshop doesn't have to be a costly investment. At Unipage, you can create a user-friendly webshop that you can manage yourself in just 3 minutes, and it doesn't charge any transaction fees. E-commerce is unavoidable today, with the global e-commerce sales projected to reach $4.8 trillion by 2021. It's something your hospitality business definitely wants to be a part of.

Make Optimal Use of Your Free Wi-Fi

Most hospitality businesses offer free Wi-Fi, but its full potential isn't always utilized. You can require customers to enter their email address and birthdate before using the Wi-Fi. This way, you can later request reviews or congratulate customers on their birthdays and offer them interesting promotions. This approach complies with privacy laws in Belgium (with an opt-out option available).

NFC Stickers & QR Codes: A New Way of Interaction