The Importance of Satisfying First Time Customers

First-time customers have a lot of potential for any restaurant that is focused on effective marketing.  To begin with, first-time customers don’t know what to expect, so it is easy to impress them with small details related to customer service or food/service quality that other restaurants don’t provide.  Additionally, first-time customers will immediately compare your restaurant or services with other restaurants that are similar, so it is a good opportunity to surprise them with something that they might not receive from more established or chain restaurants.  

The appeal of the “new” is a strong human emotion.  In fact, when we experience something new that we haven’t experienced before, the simple “newness” of it is exciting within itself.  People enjoy breaking out of their routine or mold, even if just for a meal, and the enjoyment of that experience can be multiplied easily with a few simple things that set the experience apart from others.  

First-time customers are also more likely to share their experience with others.  Take, for example, the couple who decides to go somewhere new to celebrate their anniversary.  They will likely share their dinner date plans on Facebook or Twitter, including information announcing their anniversary.  They are also more likely to “check in” somewhere on FourSquare, or some other GPS enabled application.  This means that their post and “check in” will be announced to all of their friends on these social media applications, which becomes very effective (and very free) marketing for your restaurant.  

The expression “first impressions are the most important” holds true, especially when it comes to growing a customer base.  The first impression that someone has of your restaurant will be the main impression they take with them when they leave, and will color their opinion of your food and services despite how this impression might change over time.  If someone has a good first time meal experience at your establishment, they will always remember it, and will be more likely to return in the future—especially if their first time was to celebrate an important occasion in their lives.