Why hospitality businesses need reliable business internet
Tech Trends · Apr 29, 2020
These days, you’d be hard pressed to name a business that doesn’t rely on the internet in some way. Our world is hyper-connected, and technology is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s become ingrained in our daily life and our expectations as consumers. The hospitality industry—particularly food and beverage—is seeing explosive growth in its uses for technology to enhance business operations and customer experience. For hospitality brands, choosing the right internet provider is key. A
"Forget Michelin stars, it’s Mbps that matter."
— Condé Nast Traveler Contributing Editor Mark Ellwood
By now, restaurant owners know they need to offer more than great food and personable service if they want to compete. And, technology is at the forefront. Restaurants (whether fast food, fast casual, or casual dining), coffee shops, and bars all rely on a strong internet connection to succeed.
This ranges from connecting your POS system to the cloud, accepting online orders, streaming music, and giving customers access to free WiFi to enhance their experience. It’s no longer a bonus; it’s an expectation. And, it doesn’t just come down to offering it. If your WiFi isn’t reliable, strong, with no interuptions, you’re risking losing customers—for good. Not to mention, it could lead to negative reviews on Google, Tripadvisor, and Yelp.
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Restaurants and bars need a strong digital strategy
It might seem less important to offer free WiFi in a restaurant or bar than a coffee shop, but there’s an increase in customers who enjoy this perk, and even expect it. And, there’s a tangible payoff as well. According to
In addition, the huge popularity of delivery apps like Just Eat, DoorDash, and UberEats to connect customers with their favourite (and new) restaurants. Businesses rely on these apps to drive more sales; largely through the visibility and discoverability it gives them. Using these apps can significantly increase brand awareness and revenues for restaurants, without the need to add more serving staff.Restaurants also rely on wireless ePOS terminals to process credit and debit card payments from customers. And, many are using VOIP—it acts like a traditional landline phone using your existing internet data lines to send audio over the internet. Restaurants still need a phone number to take reservations, and handle any customer enquiries.
Digital strategy can even impact a restaurant's atmosphere. A strong connection provides the ability to play music or entertainment, and even control the lighting through smart devices that allow you to set the right mood at the right time—automatically.A reliable, strong internet connection is necessary to make this all possible. If your connection is bad it can impact your business— such as less tips for staff which can lead to a decrease in employee morale and even staff turnover.
Coffee shops and cafes are the new home office
Coffee shops and cafes probably seem like an obvious choice when it comes to the importance of free customer WiFi. The freelancers / remote workers / digital nomads of the world are using their coveted coffee shop as their home office. In 2019,
Ensuring you have a seperate wifi login for staff and customers is important, including a branded splash page for customers to set yourself apart from competitors. Having enough internet speed is equally as important. It can be tempting to go with the cheapest option available, but to ensure you have no down time and enough bandwidth aim for a minimum of
There’s no doubt, internet and WiFi technology has forever changed the way we enjoy dining out, and the way we work. It enhances our lives in so many ways—but it also leaves us vulnerable to cybersecurity and online threats. The more we connect, the more personal information is out there and at risk. A key piece to making sure hospitality businesses can reap the benefits of technology, is choosing an internet provider that protects sensitive data (like credit card information) from viruses, malware, and other threats.
For any hospitality business staying connected, it can also provide valuable insights into which social networks and websites their guests use, so they can target those channels to drive more traffic and revenue.
If you’re running a coffee shop, bar, or restaurant, don’t overlook the importance of choosing an internet provider that will keep your business and staff running efficiently. Make sure your choice includes security, consistently fast speeds, down-time back ups, 24/7 customer support, a simple to manage dashboard, and the ability to give guests what they want most—free, reliable WiFi at their fingertips.
If you’re a hospitality business, you need a simple (and reliable) internet solution. TELUS Workplace as a Service Basic is Canada’s largest and fastest network, with Office Internet, Wi-Fi, security and collaboration solutions with one point of contact to support your business.