There is an App for just about everything. How about an App for your restaurant - is there an App for that? Does your restaurant really need an App? How will an App improve your bottom line or will an App just be another added expense “eating-away” at your profits?

Before you decide to have an App developed for your business it helps to figure out what problem the App will solve for your customers. That’s right, the App must be more about your customers than about your businesses marketing goals. The benefits of an App will be realized once you solve your customer's most challenging issues first.

With the fore mentioned in mind let’s dive in an take a look a few problems typically encountered by restaurant-goers. Here is the list of the top 6 sought-features compiled from customer surveys and feedback forms from over a dozen restaurants:

1. Exclusive in App deals
2. Access to review and redeem loyalty reward points
3. One tap ordering
4. In-store notifications
5. Nearby Location Finder
6. Shopping

App Deals - Deals that can only be redeemed within your app not only entice consumers to download your app but encourage them to keep the App installed on their devices. Providing coupon codes that can be used in-store or with online ordering is must-have feature.

Loyalty Rewards Programs - Customer retention is not only critical to your restaurant's success but consumers seek value-added perks such as reward points for patronizing your restaurant. Providing access to your rewards system helps consumers keep track of their points. Providing the ability to redeem these points in App with online ordering is an added benefit your customer slove.

One-Tap - single tap consumer convenience is a must-have feature, and when ordering or reordering their favorite menu items your App must-have a solution for this. One Tap ordering provides consumers with easy ordering options. Tap and Deliver.

Push Notifications - Your App should integrate with in-store proximity beacons. As consumers enter your store location your App should be engineered to send push notification messages informing consumers about daily specials, discount options, and new menu items.

Nearby Locations - This in App feature is a must-have for multi-location restaurants or food truck owners. Your App is mobile therefore your customers are too. Providing the ability to find the nearest restaurant from your chain or your food truck will make it easy for your customers to find your restaurant.

Shopping - If your restaurant bottles or packages sauces, dressings, starter kits or other merchandise your App is the perfect store-front for these items. Providing customers with an in-App store will give your customers an opportunity to purchase their favorite sauces, and other items that would be otherwise hard to find in the open market.

Conclusion
An App can definitely boost revenue for your business. This is only possible by first identifying the features that will best serve your restaurant’s customers. Each of the top 6 listed features provides benefits to your restaurant’s bottom line. How much should you pay for an app? Learn More: about App Development here.