Franchises embracing digital technology are best positioned to bounce back in 2021, says franchise expert Derek Cafferata. Here’s how digital technology can help franchises.

Personalize Customer Connection Through Technology

Every marketer will agree that personalizing your customers buying experience will increase sales. And every expert will also tell you that the best way to do this is through the use of technology.

“Those franchises who are introducing new ways to connect with their customers through the use of technology are clearly leading their competition,” says Derek Cafferata, CEO and President of franchise experts All State Franchise Finders. “We see these franchises quickly gaining market share, expanding with increasing units and developing a strong brand name.”

The first step is to monitor buyer behaviour by encouraging your customers to create profiles within your platform. Personal profiles will enable you to monitor your buyers shopping habits. Research shows that 60 percent of users are happy for companies to track their buying habits if it means their shopping experience is streamlined and they receive more relevant offers.

“Buyers want companies to anticipate their buying habits,” says Derek Cafferata. “So, it makes sense that you encourage your customers to create user profiles.

Offer Contact-less Ordering

During this COVID-19 pandemic, the best companies have embraced the changes that we have had to introduce into our daily lives.

“One of the most significant moves forward we’ve seen in technology within franchise businesses is the ability of contact-less ordering,” says Derek. “This type of technology is creative and can be implemented into any industry for any need.”

Some of the tech-savvy franchises in the restaurant industry are getting into offering customers contact-less food ordering, whether that be ordering from the comfort of their car or sitting at a table in the restaurant and ordering from an iPad, or using the numerous food delivery services now available, like Uber Eats, DoorDash or GrubHub.

For the foreseeable future, a more contact-less lifestyle seems here to stay, so franchises need to search technology options available in order to offer this to customers.

Streamline Systems

Another way to introduce technology into franchising to best position yourself within this economic period is to use technology to streamline internal services. The majority of the country’s workforce is familiar with technology in their hand.

“Our lives are filled with all sorts of apps designed to keep our attention and encourage us to interact,” says Derek. “And the best way to reach employees is through streamlining systems with interactive technology.”

Some of the more forward-thinking franchises are using apps that turn staff training manuals into games, allow employees to work towards a range of rewards like music subscriptions and streaming memberships, as well as those that motivate employees by setting goals, analysing work performance statistics and sharing customer reviews.

Streamlining systems, both internal and external, reduce staff turnover and keep morale high while at the same time making the buying experience for customers more attractive and smoother.

Seek Advice from the Franchise Experts

Technology will continue to move forward at a fast pace, meaning it will become cheaper, faster and easier to introduce any type of technology to suit your franchise.

Derek Cafferata leads a dedicated team of franchise experts who have the knowledge and experience to offer business owners the right advice to help introduce needed systems and apps to move forward and position themselves for strong growth as we move into 2021.

For more information, contact All State Franchise Finders on 1-800-544-2161 or visit allstateff.com today. All State Franchise Finders are your franchise experts.