Before the food industry embraced the Web, you probably frequented the same restaurants because they were familiar. You rarely tried or discovered anything new because you didn’t know where to begin. The Web is changing eating habits in many ways, including how you interact with local restaurants and share your experiences with friends. Consider the ways the Web is changing the food industry:
1. Learning More About Food
The Web is making you more aware of what you eat, offering information about where different foods come from and what’s in your food.
2. Making Healthier Choices
Increased awareness is helping you understand more about which foods are healthy and which foods to avoid, forcing restaurants to offer healthier choices as more customers ask for them.
3. Discovering Exotic Options
You are more willing to try exotic foods because the Web has made you aware that they exist. Foods from around the world are showing up in the U.S. because people are discovering their benefits.
4. Discovering Restaurants
Websites like Groupon are opening the doors to restaurants you have never heard of before or have never been willing to try, offering discounts to encourage people to try them.
cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by Werner Kunz
5. Leaving Feedback
Websites like Yelp allow anyone to be a food critic. It’s easier than ever to tell your friends about bad experiences, forcing restaurants to focus more on delivering positive experiences.
6. Checking In with Friends
Foursquare encourages people to check in at participating restaurants, creating buzz like never before. The incentive to become mayor with repeat visits to these locations is affecting people’s dining decisions.
7. Online Reservations
Websites like OpenTable are helping restaurants plan better, making sure they have appropriate staff, food supplies, and seat availability to operate more efficiently.
8. Getting to Know the Owners
Owners are interacting more with customers by creating websites that stand out and by offering blog posts, videos, on-site cooking seminars, and free tours to engage with customers.
9. Increased Marketing and Awareness
Restaurants are using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to offer special deals to fans and followers.
10. Getting the Local Flavor
The Web is helping restaurants and local farmers find each other so that both can support the community and offer the freshest ingredients to their customers.
The Web has ensured that your food experience will never be the same. You are probably more willing than ever to try new restaurants, and you may even leave old favorites behind because they aren’t keeping up with the times.
This article was produced by ezCater.com. To learn more visit www.ezCater.com.
