Think of the last app whose notifications you switched off. Chances are it was not because it sent too many messages so much as because it sent messages that had nothing to do with you. Your guests do the same. Once a guest turns off your app's notifications, you lose the cheapest and fastest way to reach them, and they may never turn them back on.
Two kinds of notification, two sets of rules
The first is order updates: “Your order was accepted,” “Your order is on its way.” Guests want these and expect them, and they cut down the “where is my order?” calls. Do not worry about sending several, as long as they are honest and reflect a real status.
The second is promotions: an offer, a new dish, a reminder. Nobody asked for these, so they need care. Every one draws a little from the guest's patience.
How often is enough?
There is no magic number, but a workable rule for most restaurants is one promotional message a week at most, and sometimes fewer. If you have nothing worth saying, send nothing. A quiet week is better than a weak message that teaches guests to ignore you.
Timing: reach them before they decide what to eat
- Lunch: about an hour before, since guests start thinking early.
- Dinner: late afternoon or early evening, not after they have already ordered elsewhere.
- Weekends: morning or before noon, when families plan the big lunch.
- Never late at night or during prayer times, and mind time zones if your guests span several countries.
How to write the message
A notification gets two lines at most, and guests will not read more. Put the benefit in the first words, and name a specific dish instead of speaking in general terms.
- Weak: “Amazing deals waiting for you at our restaurant!”
- Better: “Today only: shawarma meal with a drink for the price of the meal alone, until 9 pm”
- Weak: “Do not miss out!”
- Better: “New on the menu: cream kunafa. Available from today”
Operational announcements always go out
There is a third kind that should reach the guest whatever happens: news that affects their order. A branch closing for an occasion, changed opening hours, delivery paused because of weather. A message like this prevents problems and builds trust, and it always gets read because it is useful.
A test before you press send
- Does this help the guest, or only me?
- Does it name a specific dish, price, or time?
- Can it be understood on its own, without opening the app?
- Have I sent anything promotional in the last few days?
An app that sends order updates reliably and one well-considered offer a week stays on the guest's phone with notifications on. In Ordavya, order updates, promotions, and announcements reach guests who use your restaurant's app, and you decide what goes out and when.