This research tries to categorize the various lifestyles of SNS (Social Network Service) users and the characteristics of their information search for their restaurant choices. It is designed and constructed to help those food service industry players...
This research tries to categorize the various lifestyles of SNS (Social Network Service) users and the characteristics of their information search for their restaurant choices. It is designed and constructed to help those food service industry players understand the consumers' behavioral pattern and the recent changes, so that they can set up a sound marketing plan that will maximize sales and possible profit.
The result of this study shows a strong evidence that consumers nowadays depend heavily upon the information from their close acquaintances, this information being the critical factor when choosing where to eat. Another interesting point that draws attention to is that consumers tend to consider the information acquired via the Internet as the second most important factor. Therefore, SNS, the combined communication tool with both acquaintances, can be considered as the key to holding and providing the most powerful influence over consumers' choice pattern and their credibility towards the provided information. With the booming expansion of Smartphones from every corner of the society, the Internet activities are turning away from web-based communities and moving towards smartphone-based SNS. So, corporate players need to grasp this fundamental characteristic of SNS and respond more actively to its effects.
Restaurants need to observe the current development of this SNS phenomenon and come up with marketing strategies matching with it. For instance, a free coupon or voucher can be provided to those who post their reviews or photos of the products or restaurants on their SNS channel. This reward system will induce much more users to post their voices and ideas about the products, making product exposure possible within relatively short period of time and working as words of mouth. It may be a smart way with small budget for bigger PR effect.
Creating the corporate's own SNS channel is also a great idea. There are already other business players, who directly interact with their customers to provide various contents through specially designed applications and receive customers' immediate responses via their own SNS. Another element SNS has is the sustainability, and it may help consumers re-visit the same restaurants, turning them into loyal customers. SNS-based communication will allow the users and potential customers to feel more friendly and comfortable, and easy-to-respond.