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The Direct Booking Checklist for Hotel Operators

The Reviews Toolkit

Word of mouth. The holy grail of marketing, the primordial promotor and notoriously hard to measure driver of new business. But what about the power of online reviews and recommendations?







Business owners and marketing professionals have always sought out word-of-mouth as the best method to attract new business. With all sorts of digital tools available nowadays designed to make word-of-mouth easier to generate than ever before.



In the hospitality industry, the task of getting new business from word-of-mouth depends heavily on reviews and recommendations. And normally these come from well-known websites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, Google and Facebook, making these websites pivotal in generating new business for hospitality venues like bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-recent-research">Recent Research</h4>



In a <a rel="noreferrer noopener" aria-label="recent survey (opens in a new tab)" href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/British-social-routines-and-connectivity-report.pdf" target="_blank">recent survey</a> we commissioned, 65% of respondents said that they never or rarely try new venues without a review or recommendation. Every review or recommendation counts when it comes to encouraging new business.



&#8220;But,&#8221; I here you say, &#8220;Don&#8217;t most people only leave a review when they have a bad experience?&#8221; &#8211; A natural thing to worry about, as these reviews would naturally count against your business.



Interestingly, we discovered that the notion that people are more likely to spread the word of negative experiences vs positive ones may not be entirely true.



Dispelling this myth, we found that almost the exact same number of people had reviewed their favourite restaurant as had reviewed their worst eating experience.



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="501" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1024x501.png" alt="" class="wp-image-12582" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1024x501.png 1024w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-300x147.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-768x376.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1536x752.png 1536w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1200x587.png 1200w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-150x73.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-1920x939.png 1920w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-592x290.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-123x60.png 123w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10-184x90.png 184w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/t10.png 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



 At 36% and 35% respectively, this number is still lower than many restaurant owners may like, such is the importance of good reviews and recommendations. However, it goes to show that people won’t just leave reviews when they have something to complain about – they also want to give praise when it is warranted.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-online-reviews-and-recommendations">Increase online reviews and recommendations</h4>



Given these findings, venues should be doing all they can to increase the number of people leaving reviews. And whilst there is a risk of negative reviews, there&#8217;s an equally good chance of a positive reviews coming in too. The important thing is to understand the value of reviews and the power they have in reaching and attracting new customers.



Find out more about our <a href="https://stampede.ai/get-reviews">Reviews feature</a>.



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<hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity"/>

post

The Power of Reviews and Recommendations

Did you know <a href="https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-statistics/">Instagram has 1 billion users every month</a>? So if your restaurant isn’t activity using this platform, <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/must-have-marketing-methods-for-your-restaurant/">you’re missing out</a>! The good news is that food is one of the most featured categories on Instagram. Not only do people upload pictures of food they have made, but they also capture the food they have eaten at restaurants. This is an <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/rock-your-restaurant-with-wifi-and-instagram/">excellent marketing tool</a> for your business, especially if they tag your business and location so it can be found by others. So better get started with planning your food images for your Instagram account. 







Uploading images of your food onto Instagram is a great method of getting hungry crowds to flock to your restaurant. Like any marketing tool, however, it does take a bit of trial and error to get right. After all, this is not your personal page where likes and follows don’t matter &#8211; this is your business and you need your product to shine in order to turn a profit.



So, if you are looking to get your food onto Instagram, here are our top tips to make it a success. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Choose Your Dishes Carefully</h4>



No matter how well they are made, some cuisines just don’t photograph well. Curry and risotto being two notable examples that spring to mind.&nbsp;



But hold up &#8211; that doesn’t mean to say you can’t photograph these or any other less photogenic cuisine. In fact, curry <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/uk-most-instagrammed-food-avocado-curry-fish-chips-yorkshire-puddings-a8502531.html">is one of the most Instagrammed dishes</a> out there. It does, however, require some skills to make it look as appetising as possible. As a general rule, anything slopped on a plate with no attention given to the presentation isn’t going to win any new customers, no matter what it consists of.&nbsp;



Your food needs to look as if some thought has gone into it. If in doubt, don’t upload the picture on Instagram or re-take it at a different angle. The last thing you want it to upload a really off-putting food image onto your restaurants&#8217; official page.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Lighting</h4>



Many restaurants use low lighting because it’s atmospheric. But, the trouble is it doesn’t make for the best outcome when taking photos of the food. Using flash is too harsh and can be distracting to other diners, so what’s the solution?



If you haven’t already invested in some professional lighting, you can pick up <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Selfie-Supplementary-Lighting-Enhancing-Smartphones/dp/B01E3NSBFA/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=phone+ring+light&amp;qid=1574674870&amp;sr=8-4">a ring light for as little as £5</a>. The right light can make all the difference in photography, and the same goes for food too. 



Another trick is to make use of natural lighting, by photographing food near a window. The best trick is to stand with your back to the window so that you are holding the camera the same direction in which the light is flooding in.



If possible avoid heavy yellow light which is quite artificial. It can give food an orange tint, and generally doesn’t bring out detail very well. While you can always use filters to enhance an image, getting the lighting right isn’t something you can really compromise on.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Consider Hiring A Professional</h4>



Granted, we’re not all Rankin’s in the making. If you or your team aren’t great at photography or perhaps don’t have the time during a busy service &#8211; <a href="https://www.tonyhphoto.com/blog/food-photographer-for-your-restaurant-marketing">it’s time to think about setting up a professional photoshoot</a>.&nbsp;



When the restaurant is closed or on a quiet day, book a photographer to capture your dishes. You will probably want to make at least 10-20 so that they can shoot a tonne of food images at once for your Instagram account. Another great idea is to have them also take images of the dishes being made in the kitchen, as this can make for some authentic behind the scenes shots.



The advantages of a professional taking care of your images is, that they will be shot in the right lighting, in super HD plus using the most flattering angles. You can then upload one at a time to Instagram, or use the images as backgrounds to Instagram Stories. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">It’s All In The Details</h4>



Plates that could have done with a clean up around the sides were sauce or gravy has run over. A burger that looks messy and isn’t stacked very well. Chips that are burnt. You get the picture here &#8211; <a href="https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/food-photography-basics/">your food needs to look appetising!</a>&nbsp;



Attention to detail really is key, so make sure your kitchen staff always present dishes to the best of their ability. When photographing food for marketing purposes, this couldn’t be any more important.



Well presented food communicates you care about what you do. Food that is badly presented and generally looks quite messy on the plate, signals to customers that little attention is given when making the food. It can be driving any customers without you even realising. 



Another tip is not to overload a plate with too much food. Although you might find it contradictory when you’re trying to make people hungry, sometimes less is more. If a plate has too much food then it can also make it difficult to style correctly when trying to take the right shot.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h4>



Instagram is an amazing platform to upload images of your food. You can take mouthwatering shots straight from the kitchen and have them seen by potential customers all over the globe. The best part is it’s simple to use as well as being completely free too!&nbsp;



What about taking this one step further and encouraging your customers to post their own images of your food on their social media accounts. Even better encouraging them to share it with family and friends whilst they&#8217;re still in your venue. All possible with our <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/getting-started-with-guest-wifi/">Guest WiFi solution</a>. Once your customers have signed into your WiFi, you can redirect them to one of your social media channels. Higher interaction guaranteed.



Why not give it a try today?



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How to Take The Perfect Food Image for Instagram

This week we launched AI-powered segmentation in Stampede Marketing. It enables marketing teams and operators to build more detailed audiences, at a hugely increased speed.&nbsp;



Most audience-building tools require the user to know all the possible fields and inputs. Then you have to translate the audience you want into those fields and inputs. Not easy. AI Segments cuts out the complexity and uses a natural language request to translate for you.



It cuts down on time (and head-scratching), and it opens the door to more detailed, more valuable segments.



Anyone &#8211; marketer or not &#8211; can simply ask the AI builder about an audience and it will deliver. Here are some examples that we’ve already tried ourselves:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Show me customers with a birthday next month who have not been in the venue for 3 months</li>



<li>Give me a list of guests who said they like spicy food in our survey</li>



<li>Build an audience of people who like live sport and have been in the venue at least 2 times in the past month</li>
</ul>



As you can tell from some of those examples it can also be used to deliver insight on your customer database. You can get numerical counts on these kinds of queries in seconds, helping you find more opportunities in the database for campaigns, promotions and events that you might not have tried before.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-getting-started">Getting Started</h3>



AI Segments is now available for all Stampede users. It’s located in the Marketing area of your Organisation account, under “Segments”. <a href="https://stampede.ai/demo">Book a call</a> to see it first-hand if you don’t have a Stampede account yet.



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Start by entering your prompt and hit Generate, it will create the segment. </li>



<li>Then you can adjust the prompt and go again or adjust the segment manually. </li>



<li>When you’re happy, smash the Create button and the segment will be added to your list of audiences.</li>
</ol>



You can use these segments for Quick, Bulk or Automation campaigns. They can also be edited at any time.



Note: If you want to send marketing campaigns by email or SMS you will need the <a href="https://stampede.ai/get-started/marketing">Marketing</a> module in your plan.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-pro-tips">Pro Tips</h3>



It will help to have an understanding of what data sources are in your account already. Take a few minutes to review what’s in your plan so you can ask the right questions of the AI segment builder.



This includes whatever tags you have used in your database and uploads so far. These are going to be super handy for bespoke segments. Get started with using tags soon if you haven’t already.



To practise the prompts &#8211; try recreating an existing segment using the AI builder (you don’t have to Create the duplicate)



Enhance existing segments &#8211; start by having AI Segments rebuild an existing segment (preferably a large one), and then add another more detailed dimension to it.



Don’t forget to use venue names &#8211; the system can read your account so asking it for “People who visited The Red Lion last month” will work!



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-more-like-this">More like this</h3>



If paid social media advertising is part of your strategy, check out our <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/meta-advertising-audience-integration">Meta Audience Connect</a> feature. You can push segments (even AI ones) into Meta as a Custom Audience. From there you can run ads to that audience, or use the Custom Audience to create Lookalikes and expand your reach to new potential customers!



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-need-help">Need help?</h3>



As always, we’re here to help especially when it comes to new features. Reach out to our Customer Experience team to arrange a walkthrough or even an account review. There’s also our Live Chat in Stampede connecting you directly with the team too.



If you’re not using Stampede for your marketing yet &#8211; learn more about what we can <a href="https://stampede.ai/get-started/marketing">do for your revenue here</a>, or <a href="https://stampede.ai/demo">book a call with us</a>.

Introducing AI Segments for Marketing

Email marketing is one of the most effective digital marketing strategies; in fact, <a href="https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/06/29/email-marketing-statistics">59% of B2B marketers</a> claim that this is the best channel for generating revenue. To add to this, 80% of retailers say it <a href="https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/06/29/email-marketing-statistics">leads to the highest customer retention</a> – even surpassing social media efforts. In short, this means that even businesses that are non-digital, such as restaurants, pubs, bars, etc. can also benefit from email marketing; a study even found that emails have a click through rate that is six times higher than tweets. But to be effective, you need to first build an email list . Then you can get the best possible ROI from your marketing efforts. An email list is just a list of collected emails that businesses gather over time from customers. Customers sign up for the list to receive updates on products, discounts, seasonal sales, and other details about the business – directly into their inbox. Let’s first go through the benefits of building a list, and running email marketing campaigns designed to engage and retain consumers:



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-benefits-of-email-marketing"> Benefits Of Email Marketing </h3>



 Email marketing has a lot of benefits, especially if you are not an online business. Once they walk out from your establishment you often don&#8217;t have other means of connecting with your customers. These include:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li> Direct communication with your customers</li>



<li> A broader audience base that includes the people who aren’t active on social media</li>



<li> Low marketing costs</li>



<li> Emails also acquire new customers around <a href="https://www.campaignmonitor.com/blog/email-marketing/2019/04/importance-building-email-list/">40 times better</a> than Twitter or Facebook. </li>



<li> Surveying the market to determine customer demands</li>



<li> Word of mouth (QuickSprout found that email subscribers are <a href="https://www.quicksprout.com/11-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-i-started-my-first-blog/">three times more likely to share content</a> on social media than leads coming from any other channel).</li>
</ul>



 Every email you send to the customers should contain to something valuable. Non-digital businesses can utilise email lists to raise awareness regarding new campaigns, product release, promotions, and even reward loyal customers. This will lead to increased consumer engagement, and eagerness to open the emails as they expect to gain something of value. For example, restaurant owners can send email alerts about a revamped menu, while boutiques can promote their summer sales to returning customers who have subscribed to the list. Remember, consumers who purchase through email tend to <a href="https://www.jeffbullas.com/email-marketing-statistics/">spend around 138% more</a> than people who do not subscribe to your list.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-building-an-email-list-from-scratch">Building An Email List From Scratch </h3>



 Before you start building a solid email list for your business, make sure you have the following supporting resources: Detailed Knowledge About Your Target Audience Prior to building an email list, it’s always better to know exactly who these people are. By creating a basic marketing persona, you can determine how well different kinds of emails would be received. To gain valuable information like the customer’s demographics (including age, gender, and even salary), as well as their buying goals, use tools like Stampede – a Wi-Fi marketing platform that makes capturing information like this easy, and fully <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/blackbx-wifi-and-gdpr/">compliant with regulations like GDPR</a>. This is the ideal way of gaining a large number of email addresses, especially since most customers want to connect to free Wi-Fi. A good way to encourage more people to connect – and thus, sign up for your newsletter – is by announcing the fact that you offer free Wi-Fi on your menu, on the concierge’s desk, on your waiting staff’s aprons, tables, etc. An Updated Website With Attractive Landing Pages You also need a solid base to direct your email list members to; the business website is the best location for this purpose. If you’re a small business with a minimalistic website, don’t worry. All you really need is a basic landing page that contains your email/subscriber form. Now that you’re ready with the above-mentioned resources, it’s time to get to the actual job at hand – building your email list. Here is a step-by-step guide that is guaranteed to help you build an effective list: 1. Sign Up For An Email Marketing Service To reap the benefits of your mailing list, you first need to choose the right email marketing service for your business. These marketing services generally tend to offer different pricing models that you can choose from. To test the waters, try a basic package and see how well it works. Popular examples include MailChimp and Hubspot. You can use any provider that you’re comfortable with, and simply export all the customer data through a software like Zapier. 2. Integrate Email Into All Marketing Strategies With the help of your email provider, integrate your mailing lists with any other platform that your business is active on. This will allow you to collect email addresses from different platforms, and even alert the consumer whenever you send an email. 3. Optimise Your Website Campaigns and attractive landing pages are the top ways through which you can collect emails. You could include the following into your website:



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li> Personalised CTA For Each Landing Page Or Blog – In a study conducted by <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/personalized-calls-to-action-convert-better-data">HubSpot</a>, personalised CTAs have led to 42% higher view-to-submission rates than uniform CTAs all over the website. </li>



<li> Slide-Ins – Slide in advertisements, or website retargeting can help you engage the consumer better. They can convince a visitor to stay, and even attract them towards a particular product or service.</li>



<li> Opt-In Forms – Good opt-in forms can make or break your mailing lists. Be sure to only ask relevant questions. Don’t be too intrusive, but also, don’t hesitate to ask for the information that you need.</li>



<li> Timed Pop-Up Surveys – To increase the probability of your viewers signing up to the mailing list, first make sure they are well-invested. Pepper different pages with specific surveys related to that content, after the visitor has spent some time on the page.</li>
</ul>



 4. Use Stampede This service provides you with a branded login portal that greets your customers when they connect to your Wi-Fi. It further enhances your marketing campaigns by collecting valuable data to increase customer loyalty, sales, and even return visits. Customers gain lifetime access to the business’s Wi-Fi, while you capture a ton of customer insights.



5. Set Up Auto-Responders Now that you have an optimised website or landing page (through the Wi-Fi sign up portal); it’s time to ensure that you send the right content, at the right time, to subscribers. A simple way to do this is by setting up auto responders. These are automated emails, scheduled in advance to send upon specific triggers or actions by your visitors. Stampede can help you send action-triggered, highly targeted, and personalised messages automatically to your customers. For example, you can set up an auto responder for when customers sign up to your list. This ‘welcome email’ can contain short message, followed by a coupon for 5% discount or complimentary dessert on their current dine-in order, or any other purchase. This can be incredibly effective to increase sales, providing <a href="https://www.easy-smtp.com/welcome-email-marketing-optimization">average of 320% more revenue</a> per email than other promotional material.



As a non-digital business, it’s important to incorporate various mediums into your marketing efforts, such as email marketing. While excellent service is one aspect of retaining customers, targeted emails can keep them engaged – even when they’re not physically present in your store or restaurant. And the most important factor to consider when building your mailing list is valued content. As long as you send good deals to your customer, they will remain engaged with your brand. To take things a step further, carry out A/B testing to determine what kind of emails have higher opening, and click-through rates. This will offer you insights into what drives your customers – which can be further used to drive engagement, and ultimately, sales. Want more information on how email can be used to boost your business? Read our eBook to understand how our platform makes it easier to <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/learn-how-to-boost-your-business-with-sms-and-email-marketing/">reach your customers through their phones instantly!</a> Are you ready to start working on your email marketing efforts? Give us a try – we offer a free, no-obligation trial, and simple integration with your existing Wi-Fi equipment. <a href="https://stampede.ai/contact/">Contact us today!</a>

How To Build An Email List For A Non-Digital Business

Internet access and provision is essential for nearly every successful business these days. Customers and clients love fast and reliable guest WiFi. But if you’re just starting out, or you’re upgrading your WiFi, getting your head around the WiFi jargon can take up time better spent running your business. Here’s an explanation of the terms you may come across to help you provide the best WiFi for your business and customers.



ISP &#8211; Internet Service Provider An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is a company that supplies the Internet connection into a venue. The router provides the gateway between the Internet and all the devices via this connection. The ISP is often referred to as the ‘provider’. Every organisation or home with Internet access has an ISP. 



Broadband Broadband is a type of high-speed Internet connection which is now the standard way to connect to the Internet. Broadband packages come in different forms including cable, ADSL, and mobile.



Cable broadband is provided through fibre-optic cables. These provide faster broadband speeds than ADSL. Landline and digital television services can also be provided through the cable. Your ideal speed depends on your business. You should consider fast fibre-optic cable with a package that includes unlimited downloads if you are providing guest WiFi in premises such as cafes and bars. 



In the UK, ADSL broadband is provided through existing BT phone lines. The speed depends on your distance from your local telephone exchange. The closer you are to the exchange, the faster the broadband. 



Mobile broadband is transmitted via mobile phone networks. Users need a mobile phone signal to access the broadband.



LAN &#8211; Local Area Network A local area network (LAN) is when two or more computers are connected together in a building using software or hardware. A LAN can be wired or wireless. The administrator of the LAN will decide what can be shared and what can’t be on the network.



You can set up multiple networks on the same broadband connection, with different bandwidths for each one. For example, you might have one network for staff and one for customers. You’ll need plenty of bandwidth for your customers! You set these up through the router.



Your router sends data from the Internet cable to a device and acts as a wireless access point so that the data can be shared through radio signals instead of another cable. It is plugged into your landline or cable line. When running a business with guest Wi-Fi, you’ll need a router that allows for multiple networks. Routers may come with various security tools, for example, firewall management and intrusion detection.



IP Address IP means Internet Protocol. There are two types of IP address: internal and external. An internal IP address is a series of numbers that identifies your router connection. 192.168.1.1 is a common one used for routers. To change your router settings, you need to know your IP address. 



The easiest way of finding it is to look at the back of your router. Most have a sticker or card with all the information you need for logging into its settings, including the IP address.



An external or public IP address is used across the entire Internet to locate computer systems and devices. Your Internet service provider assigns you an external IP address when you connect to the Internet. When your web browser requests a webpage, it sends the IP address along with it. Your provider uses external IP addresses to determine which customer uses which website. 



Bandwidth Bandwidth refers to the volume of information per unit of time that an Internet connection can handle. Bandwidth is expressed in bits per second (eg, 50 Mbps is 50 million bits per second). However, it can be expressed in other ways and it’s important to check which unit is being used.



Businesses will vary on how much bandwidth they need. If you’re providing guest WiFi, you must get this right. Customers will not tolerate poor Wi-Fi connections and your reputation will suffer. Monitoring usage is essential in understanding how much bandwidth is being used, and when. 



WAP and Hotspot A wireless access point (WAP) is a hardware device on a local area network that allows WiFi devices to connect to a wired network. The WAP usually connects to a router although it may be included in the router itself. WAPs feature radio transmitters and antennae. 



The hotspot is the physical location where Wi-Fi access is available. Putting up signs with a Wi-Fi symbol is a helpful way of letting customers know how and where they can log on.



Cloud Controller Your WAP can come with a hosted cloud controller service. Cloud computing simply means that you store and access data over the Internet rather than on your hard drive. A cloud controller lets you manage your WiFi system from anywhere as well as managing multiple sites with a single log-in.



Mesh Network WiFi mesh networking kits are often sold to businesses and consumers to address WiFi ‘dead zones’ because they blanket a building or home with WiFi. Having a mesh network means that you don’t need to use range extenders or extra access points. 



The kit, which normally replaces your existing router, includes nodes. One node or router connects to the Internet through your modem. This node and each of the other satellite nodes then communicate with each other. Cover is expanded with each new node. Mesh networks are easy to set up. You manage the system, for example, to set up a guest network, by using an app.



Captive Portal If you want to set up guest Wi-Fi, you’ll need a <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi">captive portal</a>. A captive portal is a webpage that a user needs to view and interact with before being given access to a public WiFi network. It is mainly used for authentication purposes and is usually in place for free or chargeable WiFi hot spots e.g. business centres, cafes, bars and hotels. 



The captive portal may feature a branded log-in page, conditions of access, surveys, and payment options. The page with the log-in details is sometimes called the splash screen. The landing page is the page the customer or guest gets put through to after they log in.



The trick to a great captive portal is making it easy for the user while getting benefits for your business or service. Through your captive portal, Stampede can turn your guest Wi-Fi into a money making asset for you. It will also give your customers a great Wi-Fi experience. You can grow customer loyalty, stay compliant with the law, increase your social media presence, and build your brand.



Wireless security Wireless security, sometimes referred to as wireless network security, <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/take-the-risk-out-of-guest-wifi/">protects a wireless network from unauthorised access</a>. Understanding the common acronyms will help you choose the best security for your network. 



WPA2, WPA and WEP are the three encryption protocols you will probably come across. WPA2 is the most secure of the three. When it is enabled with its strongest encryption option, data traffic is scrambled with the most up to date encryption standards. This is the one you should use. If you are providing guest Wi-Fi through a captive portal, you have to use it. 



WEP, introduced in the late 1990s, is easily hacked and should not be used. WPA replaced WEP, and is an option if a device does not support the more up to date WPA2. 



<a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/wpa3-the-next-generation-in-wifi-security/">WPA3 will replace WPA2</a> and the transition has already started, although it will take time to roll out. WPA3 has significant new security features and will be important for open public Wi-Fi networks. However, a WPA3 enabled router will need WPA3 compatible devices (laptops, phones) to take advantage of the new features.



MAC Address – Media Access Control Address A media access control address (MAC address) is a unique code assigned by a manufacturer to every piece of hardware that connects to the Internet. A MAC address ensures each device is unique and allows data to be passed among hardware devices. 



Many people will never need the MAC address to use their devices. However, some providers may require registration of the address to ensure those who are paying for the service are the only users who can connect. If you do need it, you can normally find it on a sticker on the device. The address is composed of six pairs of numbers/letters separated by colons. If the device is portable, it may be printed inside the battery compartment.



Contact us at Stampede



If you’d like more info on how to make guest WiFi work for your business, we’re ready to help. Whether you’re a major business or just starting out, you’ll be in good hands. 



Stampede is the smart guest WiFi for any venue, from independent coffee shops to global brands with thousands of sites. We provide a level of <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/the-marketing-power-of-wifi-analytics-for-your-business/">customer insight</a> previously only available to large corporations. If you’d like to grow your business and build brand loyalty, get in touch. We’d be delighted to chat.



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The Ultimate Beginners Guide to WiFi Jargon

Let us tell you a story. From how it all began with a single venue to a big multi-venue hospitality chain. To the advantages of managed WiFi from one dashboard for all the venues. 







Growth is a good thing. Especially in business. Sure, it&#8217;s nice when you&#8217;re finally able to open that speciality Mashed Avocado food truck you&#8217;ve always wanted. But when you were finally able to open your own brick and mortar Mashed Avocado Hut, you thought things couldn&#8217;t get better. Until you opened another. And another. Soon, your Mashed Avocado Huts were dotting the landscape.



And then, just like any good hospitality owner, you saw that your customers were clamouring for WiFi &#8211; and that&#8217;s where the problems began. You needed to configure a separate WiFi password for each of your cafes. Then you started running into problems with people abusing the WiFi. Even more, because some of your Mashed Avocado Emporiums were in less &#8220;desirable&#8221; parts of town, you experienced problems with nogoodniks hanging outside your shops just to scam free WiFi.



What can a hospitality chain owner who wants to offer awesome WiFi do? Well, let&#8217;s remember we are in the 21st Century here and it&#8217;s the future. How about managing ALL your WiFi for ALL your locations from one centralised dashboard? Is that really possible you might think?



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity"/>



Hi (waves) we&#8217;re Stampede and we&#8217;re here to help.



If you&#8217;re running a hospitality chain, we think we have the best solution out there for managing multiple WiFi networks with the least amount of effort.



Here&#8217;s why:



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-manage-multiple-locations">Manage Multiple Locations</h4>



With Stampede, it&#8217;s easy to keep an overview of all your locations with our easy to use dashboard. No rushing around from location to location every time you need to update passwords. Simply log in to the Stampede dashboard, choose your location from the dropdown, and make your changes. And that&#8217;s not all &#8211; set bandwidth limits, whitelist or blacklist devices, configure WiFi schedules (to filter out the nogoodniks) and more.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-single-login-for-customers">Single Login for Customers</h4>



Another cool feature that your customers will notice and you don&#8217;t have to do a thing to set up is automated login. Let&#8217;s say a customer heads from one Mashed Avocado Hut location to another. When they get to the new location, <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/wifi-in-your-venue-login-once-login-forever" target="_blank">they&#8217;re automatically logged into the WiFi</a>.



Pretty cool, huh? Try doing that with the WiFi box you get from your cable company.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-integrated-automated-marketing">Integrated Automated Marketing</h4>



Sure, being able to change passwords in multiple locations with the click of a mouse is pretty cool already. But what about sending out <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">automated marketing</a> messages to your best customers? The Stampede dashboard comes with a handy integrated map so you will know where your customers are coming from. Use our real-time heat map to help craft marketing messages and find out if it&#8217;s worth targeting specific regions. 



Opening up a Smashed Avocado Hut in a new part of town? Use automated marketing to target customers in the area and let them know that they don&#8217;t have to drive across town to get their avocado fix! In addition, you can use <a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/marketing-your-restaurant-online-a-brief-guide-to-getting-bums-in-seats" target="_blank">automated marketing to target customers</a> who haven&#8217;t visited in a while or use it to send out birthday offers like a coupon for a free drink or side dish. The possibilities are endless.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-brand-it-as-yours">Brand it As Yours</h4>



Create a<a rel="noopener noreferrer" href="http://get.stampede.ai/branded-experience-ebook" target="_blank"> </a>splash page and upload through your dashboard to all your locations. Your brand will be the first thing that customers see as soon as they log in to your WiFi. Preview your splash page in the Stampede dashboard and see how it looks on both mobile and tablets.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-grow-marketing-lists">Grow Marketing Lists</h4>



All a customer needs is a valid email address for verification and they&#8217;re connected. But, in addition to email, you can use this opportunity to ask your customer for other data, like name, age, postcode, gender and much, much more. Then import this data into your existing marketing lists or create a new one.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-increase-your-social-presence">Increase Your <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/rock-your-restaurant-with-wifi-and-instagram/">Social Presence</a></h4>



Don&#8217;t want to ask your customers for email? No worries, have them authenticate their WiFi connection through <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/facebook-wifi-and-your-business/">Facebook</a>. The cool part about this is that all your customers&#8217; friends will see that they&#8217;re scarfing mashed avocado at your location. 



After a successful login, you can even redirect a customer to your Facebook page where you can ask them for Likes to boost your social presence. Nailing social media has never been so easy!



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mashed-avocado-for-everyone">Mashed Avocado for Everyone</h4>



In this short article, we hope you were able to see some of the advantages of using a guest WiFi solution like Stampede for managing your multiple hospitality locations. And if you want to take your business to the next level (even if it doesn&#8217;t involve mashed avocado), why not take us for a test spin? 



We offer a free, no-obligation trial and integrate with all the leading WiFi hardware like Cisco, UniFi, Mikrotik and more. Setup takes just a few minutes, and you&#8217;ll soon be seeing the advantages of managing all your WiFi connections from one centralised location.

The Advantages of Managed WiFi for Your Hospitality Chain

As the internet gets “bigger” there’s a constant need for how we interact with it to keep up in performance. People want more, and they want it faster than ever.



Keeping that in mind &#8211; plus a few prickly real-world experiences &#8211; our teams have just completed upgrades to our guest WiFi service.&nbsp;



A great WiFi login is butter smooth, lightning fast, beautifully branded and tastefully personalised. Our latest update levels up all these areas.



Many of you reading this will know that <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/wifi/">guest WiFi</a> was where <a href="https://stampede.ai/company/">we started back in 2015</a>. Our founder Patrick knew there was a better way to get customers online in hospitality venues. We’ve grown since then, but that mentality is still our driving force.



The other driving force is time. We’ve done this update now (Oct ‘23) so that Stampede users and their customers get the most from the upcoming “golden period” of Christmas.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-highlights">The Highlights</h2>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-speed">Speed</h4>



Three times faster. Or 320% faster to be more accurate. That is the headline result of our recent performance improvements. Customers get online quicker, even in low bandwidth areas.&nbsp;



This results in fewer complaints to staff and less time spent dealing with IT companies. It also means more customers will opt-in to your marketing &#8211; an ideal way to grow your mailing list. <a href="#technicals">Read on</a> to dive into the technical details.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-branding-and-design">Branding and Design</h4>



Consistent branding for your business across all pages with our <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/updates-september-2023">newly released brand kits</a> &#8211; you can read up on them here. Loading, welcome and email validation screens all support brand kits too.&nbsp;



This makes the entire experience more brand-focused, increasing customer recall and making your retention marketing more effective.



A lot of you ask about custom fonts &#8211; this update makes them now available on your WiFi portal and other screens, as per the brand kits.



Lastly &#8211; we’ve made the WiFi service more easily accessible for international customers without the need for them to choose language manually. Using the devices’ locale we automatically change the language in the portal. It’s a nice touch for those of you with regular international customers.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-a-note-on-paid-wifi">A Note on Paid WiFi</h3>



We’re still supporting many businesses who offer a paid WiFi service, and have dedicated a large amount of effort in this update to improving that side of our guest WiFi.



Using paid access we have supported £1.28m for customers across 59,600 unique payments since starting.



To improve the user experience, the updated paid access now looks and feels like a modern e-commerce shop. The goal is to make it easy for more users to get online in these use cases.



Behind the scenes, we have completely refactored the integrations between PayPal and Stripe to give the whole system a fresh start.



Device management on paid access has historically been problematic for some businesses and users. This has also been reconfigured to make it easier for guests/users to share paid access between accounts.



<code>&lt;a name="technical</code>s&#8221;&gt;&lt;/a&gt;



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-getting-technical">Getting Technical</h3>



If you’re here then it’s time to get into the details. How have we taken world-class guest WiFi and made it even better?



Pre-generated everything



We are now pre-rendering every splash page before guests’ devices to speed up loading times. This is also done in all supported languages (14) which means &#8211; at the time of writing &#8211; we’re generating ~80,000 WiFi login pages before people even log in through them.



Bundle size&nbsp;



As all page generation is pre-generated the bundle size of our WiFi feature has decreased. To load a full page now requires ~140 KB of bandwidth &#8211; it used to be 430kb minimum. This means that WiFi portals will load quickly even in the most challenging connectivity environments.



Event-based



The WiFi feature has been moved into its own dedicated infrastructure which means API calls are entirely independent of other Stampede services. Interconnection between this service and Stampede still happens. This dedicated resource simply acts like a unique power source so it no longer shares power with other Stampede functions.



Client authentication



For true cloud-first WiFi hardware vendors &#8211; like TP-Link and Ubiquiti &#8211; we are now authenticating the guests server-to-server, previously done via client-to-server. This drastically speeds up authentication time, getting users online faster.



Streaming components



Components that affect page load speed like the phone number input, Apple Sign-in and Stripe checkout, are now being <a href="https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/routing/loading-ui-and-streaming#what-is-streaming">streamed into the application</a>.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-signing-off">Signing off</h3>



There’s no doubt that this is a significant update. It wouldn’t have been possible without the feedback and input from our customers and partners, so a massive thanks to them.



The depth and detail of this update tell us that even the best always have room to improve. Don’t get too comfortable with the status quo, someone else will be moving the needle elsewhere.



If you want to explore any of these updated features in <a href="https://product.stampede.ai">your Stampede account</a>, or to upgrade your existing guest WiFi, <a href="https://stampede.ai/get-started">our team is here to help.</a>

October Update – 3x Faster Guest WiFi and more

So you&#8217;ve just opened your first coffee shop. Besides awesome coffee, you wanted your business to be a place where people could meet and chat about the pressing issues of the day. Sort of a modern day salon, if you will. You did everything a good coffee shop is supposed to do &#8211; order the latest in Sumatran Dark Roast, obtain sweets from your favourite local baker and, of course, install some WiFi for your customers.

The only problem is that your coffee shop has become a haven for hipsters working on the latest draft of their screenplay. Instead of lively conversation, everyone in your shop is staring at their laptop screens and silently typing away.
So what&#8217;s the solution? How can you get your customers talking and still keep your business going?
You could do what a lot of <a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/we-dont-want-to-be-an-office-cafe-owners-are-pulling-the-plug-on-wifi/article34859828/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">coffee shops are doing these days and turn off the WiFi</a>. This will keep your business moving but might run the risk of alienating your customers and peg you as a Luddite.
Here&#8217;s a better solution: let your customers use your WiFi for free &#8211; at first &#8211; then ask them to pay. Hey &#8211; there&#8217;s no such thing as a free lunch, right?
<h2>Setting Up a Paid or Hybrid Network</h2>
But how to go about setting one of these networks up? With Stampede, it&#8217;s as easy as flipping a virtual switch.
Using Stampede, you can setup a wholly paid network, that is, one where your customers have to pay to access the WiFi for a set period of time. The other solution is to setup what is known as a hybrid network. In this type of network, your users are free to browse the internet until they&#8217;ve used up a certain amount of data &#8211; how much is up to you. Then they&#8217;ll be asked to pay for their connection. This is a great solution for keeping those bandwidth hogs off your network and has the added bonus of not penalising the people who wanted to stop by for a coffee and to quickly check their email.
<h2>Supercharge Your Marketing</h2>
Ok, so you&#8217;ve got the bandwidth hogs under control in your coffee shop. That&#8217;s a start, but that&#8217;s not the coolest feature of Stampede. That&#8217;s right. There&#8217;s more!
See when your customers want to access your WiFi, they&#8217;ll first need to login through what is known as a captive portal. This is a splash screen that appears on their device as soon as they fire up the WiFi. Your customers will need to enter their email address on the captive portal in order to be able to access the network.
And that email address, my friend, is gold. Because you can now use it to market to your customers. How so? How about this &#8211; let&#8217;s say one of your customers hasn&#8217;t visited your shop in a while, so Stampede automatically drops them an <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/learn-how-to-boost-your-business-with-sms-and-email-marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">email or SMS message</a> letting them know about some of your latest creations and includes a coupon for a discount. Magic? Nope, that&#8217;s Stampede.
And it doesn&#8217;t stop there &#8211; the sky is the limit as to what you want to do. That&#8217;s because Stampede also includes Zapier integration so you can connect Stampede to your favourite marketing and productivity software like MailChimp, Slack, Trello, Dropbox and hundreds more.
<h2>Bandwidth Hog Hunter</h2>
So stop those bandwidth hogs in their tracks by setting up paid or hybrid networks in Stampede. Just click below to get started!
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

Paid and Hybrid WiFi Networks with Stampede

Who handles your restaurant&#8217;s marketing and PR? Does your restaurant chain have someone Instagram-ing in head office? Maybe you have an agency that manages your press and social profiles? Or do expect your manager and their team to generate the hype? If marketing and PR isn’t anyone’s remit right now, you’ll definitely want to read this. In this post, we&#8217;re talking through the pros and cons of trusting people inside and outside of your business to keep those customers coming.&nbsp;



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Your General Manager



In single-venue HORECA restaurants businesses, marketing and PR often fall to the General Manager. Even in chains, managers are frequently expected to take the lead on promotions and events. Your manager should know your business and customer base inside out. But let&#8217;s be honest, depending on their background, they may not be particularly qualified to carry out your marketing. 



General Managers who are ideas people are likely to have good suggestions for plugging gaps in custom or attracting new diners. But do they know how best to reach those people or how to get ROI from your PR and marketing budget? And do they really have the time to dedicate to executing proper campaigns? Managing social media profiles, organising press nights and planning events is time-consuming. There’s no denying that General Managers tend to be an incredibly dedicated bunch. But with all the operational stuff to deal with, it&#8217;s hard for a General Manager to run promotional efforts to their full potential. And of course, there&#8217;s the important issue of their work-life balance to consider too.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Other Staff Members</h4>



There are some pretty attractive advantages to keeping marketing and promotion activities in-house. Your staff should know your brand, offering and customers better than outsiders. If you have someone on-site handling things it&#8217;s easier to be reactive too. For example, you can advertise availability following a last-minute table cancellation. Or you could promote a particular dish or drink that matches the weather forecast, something that’s tricky to plan in advance.



You find you already have some staff members with useful marketing and PR skills. Is one of your team studying <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/rock-your-restaurant-with-wifi-and-instagram/">photography</a> or into blogging? Encouraging staff members to combine an interest in marketing with a front of house or junior management role can prove savvy for smaller businesses. 



This way, the people at the heart of the action are those driving marketing. Being able to grow your marketing and PR efforts in-house like this can be a real plus when you’re <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-take-perfect-food-image-for-instagram/">working with a limited budget</a>. It also has the potential to guide an individual’s self-development as they acquire other marketing and PR skills.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">A Dedicated Marketing Manager</h4>



In independents with several sites or chains, it’s much more common to find dedicated marketing and PR manager. These guys plan communications and promotions across venues while applying brand consistency. If your business isn&#8217;t quite at this stage yet, having a dedicated marketing person might seem like a big financial commitment, but it can actually offer really good value. You know that the person in charge of your marketing dedicates all their time to drive your business and brand forward. 



According to <a href="https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salary/Restaurant-Group-Marketing-Manager-Salaries-E10835_D_KO17,34.htm">Glassdoor</a>, the average salary in the UK for a Restaurant Group Marketing Manager is between £36,000 and £39,000. A manager working with one site would command substantially less. Take the time to set goals and track ROI of your hire and you’ll see how much value they bring to your business.&nbsp;



The actions of a good marketing and PR manager ought to win you consistent custom as well as coverage. And with time to dedicate to individual events and campaigns as well as an overall strategy, you should find marketing and PR types feed trends and market insights back into your business.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">A Marketing or PR Agency</h4>



If you want to work with someone or a group of people who have marketing or PR skills and experience but would prefer not to commit to employing your own member of staff, hiring a marketing or PR agency is a common choice. You can hire an agency or freelancer to work on your business launch or on a specific campaign such as a new menu launch or event promotion. Or, you might opt to work with them on a retainer basis.



Narrow the field by working with people who have a specific focus on hospitality and you should expect to benefit from their established network of press and influencers. You’ll also want to be reassured that they have plenty of ideas to help your business shine. But can anyone external to the business fully get what it’s about? Vickie Rogers, Managing Director at&nbsp;<a href="https://northpr.co.uk/abouthttps://northpr.co.uk/about">North PR</a>&nbsp;thinks that hiring a professional is often the key to telling the best stories for your audience, something that’s often easier when you’re on the outside looking in.&nbsp;



She told us: “Owning a restaurant/bar/cafe in this day in age is hard. It&#8217;s an incredibly competitive market and customers are much more picky about where they spend their money. You have to shout louder and with more compelling stories than the place next door.&nbsp;&#8220;



“I personally think that freelance/agency PR/social support for restaurants is a really cost-effective way of getting an experienced team who can develop campaigns that deliver. You don&#8217;t know what you don&#8217;t know, and many businesses don&#8217;t tell the right stories about their business. Creating a compelling narrative that &#8216;turns on&#8217; their customers, sometimes, can only be unearthed by an external independent team.”&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Super-charging your efforts</h4>



For many restaurants, the biggest factor in deciding who handles marketing and PR inevitably comes down to budget. When a restaurant or bar is starting out they often rely on the General Manager or team members to do most of the everyday promotion. They may bring in agency specialists for important campaigns. It’s when a business goes multi-site that they’re likely to hire a group restaurant manager and step their efforts up. Whichever avenue you head down, the key to getting the most for your money is to consistently set clear goals and continually measure progress. 



It’s also important to use all the tools at your disposal. As Vickie points out – you don’t know what you don’t know. At STAMPEDE WiFi, we work with businesses of all sizes to use analytics and data to supercharge their marketing efforts. Whoever is handling your restaurant marketing and PR, our experience shows that the right data can help direct your marketing budget more effectively and keep customers coming back.



Find out how STAMPEDE can enhance your marketing and customer experience<a href="https://stampede.youcanbook.me/">.</a>



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Who Should Handle Your Restaurant’s PR and Marketing?

AI In Hospitality Marketing: A Complete Guide

How AI Can Facilitate Reviews Management For Hospitality Operators

3 Ways To Improve Customer Experience With Bookings & Reviews

5 Common Data Integration Flaws In Hospitality Tech

The Secret To Mastering Your Google Reviews

Why 3-Star Reviews Actually Matter More

How to Get Maximum Value From Customer Reviews Sentiments

How to Take Back The Control of Your Online Reviews

3 Ways to Keep Up With Changing Customer Reviews

How to Tackle Tripadvisor’s Latest Hotel Booking Challenge

Team Update

There’s no denying that loyal customers are a key revenue driver for any business. Their <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/service/customer-loyalty-statistics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">average spending is up to 67% higher compared to new customers</a>. More than ever, hospitality businesses should now up their efforts to increase customer loyalty to secure a steady revenue flow.&nbsp; A well-established way to get customers coming back and increase sales is by offering loyalty stamp cards. Collecting stamps at each visit and getting rewarded for it, what’s not to like about it?&nbsp;



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



But how many of your customers are actually filling and redeeming their cards? And how long does it take them to obtain a full one?



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-problem-with-loyalty-stamp-cards">The problem with loyalty stamp cards</h4>



Getting customers to sign up for your stamp card is usually an easy task, keeping them coming back to use the card is another story. All the initial excitement and interest in collecting stamps tends to wear off over time. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167811621000082" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The average rewards program gets a redemption rate of only 13%.&nbsp;</a>



Using stamp cards will increase the chances of a customer coming back, but it can’t be relied upon entirely as a way to keep them coming back for more.



The key action here is to keep customers engaged on a frequent basis in a variety of ways, so they get their stamps too. Let’s uncover some loyalty card secrets.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-keep-customers-engaged">How to keep customers engaged?</h4>



First of all, you have to stay front of mind with your customers. They probably have many loyalty cards from various different places. So it’s on you to regularly remind them that they have a stamp card from your place as well. It’s all about actively encouraging them to come back more often.



Also, when creating your rewards, focus on these questions:



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Are they obtainable? Your average visit frequency helps you to determine the ideal number of stamps needed for a full card</li><li>Are they attractive? Which type of reward would your customers want? Are they worth collecting stamps for? Are your rewards relevant to your business?</li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-email-sms-marketing-campaigns">Email &amp; SMS marketing campaigns</h4>



As ever, email and SMS marketing are a great tools to keep your customers interested and stay on top of their minds. It’s all about a friendly nudge to remind them of their loyalty stamp cards.



Here’s some inspiration for your campaigns to keep customers committed:



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-them-to-collect-more-stamps">Get them to collect more stamps:</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>&#8220;How many more stamps do you need? &#8211; a fresh batch of &#8230; arrived today, and we know how much you love them. Come by to get yours.&#8221;</li><li>“&#8230; more stamps to go. Come by today to get one extra stamp for every &#8230; “</li><li>&#8220;Special weekday deal &#8211; earn double the stamps when you buy &#8230;&#8221;</li><li>&#8220;Flash offer &#8211; Buy 1, Get 1 free on all cocktails from 6pm-9pm.&#8221;</li></ul>



<h6 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-get-them-to-redeem-their-full-stamp-card">Get them to redeem their full stamp card:</h6>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>&#8220;Still haven&#8217;t redeemed your stamps?&#8221;</li><li>&#8220;Got a full card? You&#8217;re owed a free …, come by today and enjoy &#8230;&#8221;</li><li>&#8220;Don’t miss out on our special freebie for all redeemed stamp cards this month.&#8221;</li><li>“Your chance to win. All redeemed stamp cards from this month will enter a special prize draw.”</li></ul>



By the way, are you still using paper loyalty stamp cards? Everything we’ve said before is massively improved by going digital. Save money and gain more loyal customers faster with digital stamp cards.



<a href="contact@stampede.ai" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> to find out more about our digital stamp card solution.

How to Maximise Revenue from Your Loyalty Stamp Cards

<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Why SMS verification is important?</h4>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>The whole world has a mobile phone number</li><li>Guaranteed deliverability </li><li>Instant validation through modern smartphones</li><li>SMS marketing has a 97% read rate within 15 minutes </li></ul>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Why did we build this?</h4>



We have always validated customer phone numbers as they type it out, but after lots of customer feedback, we realised that more advanced guaranteed SMS delivery would require a product update



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">How does it work?</h4>



After we have run our first validation check on the phone number we will now send that number a unique code. If using a mobile phone the field will automatically populate and that&#8217;s it!



<figure class="wp-block-embed-vimeo aligncenter wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-vimeo"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper" style="max-width: 340px;margin: 0 auto;">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="SMS Verification" src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/389474237?dnt=1&amp;app_id=122963" width="346" height="750" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture; clipboard-write"></iframe>
</div></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">How to use this feature?</h4>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18-1004x1024.png" alt="" class="wp-image-14196" width="473" height="482" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18-1004x1024.png 1004w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18-294x300.png 294w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18-768x783.png 768w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18-1200x1224.png 1200w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18-150x153.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18-16x16.png 16w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18-592x604.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18-59x60.png 59w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18-88x90.png 88w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Screenshot-2020-02-05-at-12.45.18.png 1290w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 473px) 100vw, 473px" /></figure></div>



Log in to the product <a href="https://product.stampede.ai">here</a> and goto Branding > Capture and then select SMS Code Verification



That&#8217;s it now any new phone number will get verified.

Product Update – SMS Verification

Our mobiles have become so close to us that we now carry them wherever we go. We check mails on the bus stop, add favourite songs to a new playlist while we&#8217;re in the queue and check Facebook at every chance we get.
<h2>Facebook Connects Everyone</h2>
Even with all the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/technology/facebook-privacy-hearings.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">recent privacy issues</a>, Facebook continues to be one of the most popular social media platforms. Why? Because it&#8217;s easy and enables us to connect with friends from all around the globe and share the latest cat videos with them &#8211; satisfying an ancient human urge. Jokes aside, the benefits Facebook brings are undeniable. Looking a few years back, it was unthinkable to stay in constant contact with friends from the other side of the globe and see what they were up to.
Now, Facebook prompts you when it&#8217;s someone&#8217;s birthday and even provides you with a handy birthday card template to send them a personalised greeting. Soon enough, we started using every little break to check what’s happening on Facebook, always fearing we might miss out on the next big deal, whatever that’s supposed to be.

<h2>Providing WiFi to attract</h2>
As Facebook grew in popularity, the sight of people walking down the street, their faces buried in their mobiles, started to become more common. Businesses spotted the trend and started providing free Guest WiFi in order to attract Facebook lovers to their venues. What a genius idea &#8211; if people can lean back and relax at your business, they are very likely to check their phone, checking social media sites like Facebook and staying for that extra cup of coffee or a snack. Providing for all core amenities (including free WiFi) is key to success, and that’s especially true for hospitality businesses. In other words, new ways to take care of guests, brought new possibilities for businesses to differentiate themselves.
<h2>Get your business online</h2>
Today, Facebook is way more than just a way to stalk your friend’s holiday pictures. It offers information on all kinds of content, as it expanded from a personal medium to a portal that also accommodates brands and businesses. The next step for companies was being found and loved on Facebook, as it offers fantastic ways to create engagement with the fans of the customer base.
If we compare successful businesses today, we often look at the amount of Facebook likes they have on their page as social proof. People now use Social Media sites like Facebook to see how other users rate a venue and how their experience was before making a visit.
So &#8211; you&#8217;ve got a Facebook page for your venue, right? If that’s not the case, stop reading for two minutes, <a class="" href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/business/learn/set-up-facebook-page" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a> and set up an account for your venue. There are over <a href="https://zephoria.com/top-15-valuable-facebook-statistics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2 Billion Facebook users out there</a> that you could be reaching!
<h2>Create Online Visibility</h2>
Whereas big corporate companies have a dedicated department to shape the online presence of the company, smaller enterprises often face difficulties when it comes to managing and updating their online appearance. So what&#8217;s a small business to do?
We got you covered, don’t worry! When a user connects to a Stampede powered WiFi network, they are given the option to choose from <a href="/blog/wifi-in-your-venue-login-once-login-forever" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">entering their email address</a> or logging in through Facebook. This lets guests use the WiFi network with a single click by sharing the information that is public on their Facebook profile. This option holds a unique possibility for businesses, as they are then able to publish every connection that is made to their Guest Network on Facebook.
In other words, if a customer connects to the Guest WiFi Network, all their friends and contacts can see that the customer is checking in at your venue. This is a fantastic way to establish a strong and convincing online presence for your business and makes it easy for new and potential customers to find your venue online, check reviews of other guests and plan their next visit to your business.
As you can see, the right solution can help you to turn a necessity into a benefit for you business very easily. If you want to find out about the entire set of advantages that a Guest WiFi Software can bring to the table, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
You’ll be surprised what your WiFi can do for you.
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

Facebook WiFi and your Business

“As of 15 June, Europeans will be able to travel in the EU without roaming charges. It means that when travelling in the EU, consumers will be able to call, send SMS or surf on their mobile at the same price they pay at home.” – The European Commission

Gone are the days of dreading your phone bill after a week’s holiday of using 3G to try and navigate around an unknown country. Post-holiday blues were only intensified by a phenomenon called ‘bill shock’ &#8211; a phenomenon so sobering travelers would avoid their phones while on holiday.<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Blog/roam-not-roam.jpg" alt="roam-not-roam.jpg" width="700" height="312" />
‘Roam like at home’ means that calls, texts and data are all free in Europe, and as it automatically came into effect, customers didn’t even have to lift a finger to make sure they were signed up.
It is billed as an ‘end to all roaming charges’, but it’s actually not as simple as that. The small print in the EU rules states a ‘fair usage’ policy, meaning mobile phone companies can still charge extra fees for some users who have unlimited, or data generous, packages.
Here’s how some of the leading UK networks are limiting ‘free’ data roaming: 
<table style="border-color: #000000;" border="1" cellpadding="5">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td style="vertical-align: top;">HOW MUCH OF YOUR UK DATA CAN YOU USE WITH NO EXTRA CHARGES?</td>
<td style="vertical-align: top;">HOW MUCH EXTRA WILL YOU PAY OVER THIS LIMIT?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EE</td>
<td>15GB</td>
<td>You’ll need to buy an add-on &#8211; 1GB to use over a week costs £6.99</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>O2</td>
<td>All &#8211; no fair usage limit</td>
<td>N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>THREE</td>
<td>12GB for contract, data and SIM only. 9BG for PAYG users. </td>
<td>0.73p/MB</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>VODAFONE</td>
<td>All &#8211; no fair usage limit</td>
<td>N/A</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>GIFFGAFF</td>
<td>6GB is on an ‘always on’ package</td>
<td>0.73p/MB</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
There’s also a limit as to how many days you can access free data, with a maximum of 30 days at a time and 90 days per year.
Why does the ‘fair usage’ limit matter?
It’s important to remember that we use our devices differently while abroad, spending a lot more time checking maps, sharing experiences and photos with friends online and making video calls with loved ones. So it’s also really important to remember that your data allowance will run out extremely quickly. Plus, if you’re streaming or downloading content this will drain your allowance even faster.
The new law also only applies to EU citizens, meaning lots of people still need access to WiFi and are vulnerable to being charged extortionate fees. It’s also worth being mindful that Brexit brings a lot of uncertainty for free EU data roaming &#8211; as yet, no one knows what will happen.
So, what do we think about the new EU ‘free’ data roaming? 
Well, we’d say that when you can, rely on WiFi and turn off your data allowance. WiFi is usually faster, cheaper and also allows you to be more ‘data heavy’, making video calls and browsing online til your heart’s content.
EU data roaming is excellent as a backup and to check-in while on the move, but we’d suggest that sticking to WiFi where it is available is always best. When using WiFi you’ll be rest assured you’ve removed the risk of hefty fees and charges, taking away the worry from your holiday.
A quick point about security&#8230;
When using WiFi abroad, try to connect in places you visit, such as bars and restaurants, that have <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/how-it-works#security">password protected WiFi</a>. Not only will this keep your connection secure, but you’ll possibly receive <a href="/blog/press/guest-wifi-a-sales-marketing-tool">discounts and promotions</a> from the businesses your patronizing via text or email &#8211; who doesn’t love a discount on their next drink, or a free dessert with their meal?! 
If you are traveling round Europe, you’ll often be at risk of security problems. Rather than using a password protected home or work network, you’ll be using public WiFi or even worse, shared computers.
Anyone on the same network (which could be hundreds or even thousands of people) could grab your passwords, usernames, credit card numbers and browsing history &#8211; a VPN (Virtual Private Network) protects you from this.
VPNs also let you get around Internet filtering &#8211; sites you might not expect (such as Netflix, Facebook and the BBC) are blocked in certain countries. To get around this, you simply connect your VPN to a country that doesn’t block the site you’re after.
Got any thoughts on ‘free’ EU data roaming? Let us know below!
And if you&#8217;re running a business and looking to offer safe and secure WiFi to your patrons &#8211; no matter where they&#8217;re from &#8211; why not give Stampede a shot? 

<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

‘Roam Like at Home’…Really?

Vertical: The Future of Video Content for Digital Marketing

Working In Hospitality: Harnessing The Efficiency Of Tech

How to Set Up a Coworking Space in Your Coffee Shop

Establishing Your Coffee Shop Brand Online

Grow Your Coffee Shop With Free WiFi And A Captive Portal Solution

Top o&#8217; the morning to ye, everyone!

Just wanted to wish everyone out there a happy and safe St. Patrick&#8217;s Day. Why are we so excited about St. Pat&#8217;s? Well, that might just be because our founder and CEO is named Patrick.
With that in mind, here&#8217;s Patrick with some tips on how to keep your Guest WiFi safe, secure and full of craic on St. Patrick&#8217;s Day and way into the future.
<iframe loading="lazy" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GL-8TzK2rjk" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
Have a great St. Patrick&#8217;s Day! And if Patrick and his Leprechaun sidekick have inspired you in any way to upgrade your Guest WiFi to our secure Stampede WiFi solution, why not sign up for a free trial by clicking the button below?
And may the wind be at your back!
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">New version software now live!</h2>



Discover V4.0



<a href="#webinar-video">Watch our Webinar below</a>



After lots of hard work, we&#8217;re happy to announce the fourth iteration of our software platform is now live



The new version includes:



&nbsp;A totally redesigned user experience making the software faster and easier to use than ever.



An overhaul of our marketing suite including changes to the interface as well as improved functionality in the email builder.



Enhanced insight and statistics within the software providing more detail that you can use to grow your business.



Our Lastest feature &#8211; <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/introducing-stories/">WiFi Stories</a>



WiFi Stories allows you to promote news, offers, events and more in a dynamic way.



Check out our webinar below for more information or contact our team below for a 1-to-1 demo.



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><a href="https://stampede.ai/contact/">Book A Demo</a></h3>



<figure class="wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div id="webinar-video" class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Product Update Webinar | Stampede" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/j0m4R1SXXqM?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div></figure>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Webinar script&nbsp;</h4>



Welcome &#8211; 0:00



Dashboard overview &#8211; 0:36



Stampede’s new dashboard layout makes V4.0 extremally easy to navigate with all your key customer data pulled into one place.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Reports and analytics</li><li>Reviews</li><li>Marketing campaigns</li><li>Branding/login</li><li>Amount of people in your venue</li></ul>



Analtyics &#8211; 2:24



Find out who and when your customers are in your venue with our improved analytics and graphs



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Male/Female</li><li>Opt-ins vs opt-outs for marketing</li><li>Customer Timeline Graphs&nbsp;</li></ul>



Branding/login &#8211; 3:27



With our new editor and layout &#8211; building your business splash page has never been easier



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>View what your business splash page will look like on a mobile device</li><li>View GDPR terms</li><li>Edit data capture on the same page as design to see real-time updates&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Customise your splash page like a professional with our easy to use editor&nbsp;</li></ul>



Marketing automation &#8211; 4:30



Stampede’s marketing automation feature has undergone a redesign so you can track and implement a number of different campaigns quickly and efficiently to ensure you are reaching a return on investment.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Compare campaigns</li><li>Cash value ROI tool</li><li>Send limit</li><li>Create audiences</li><li>&nbsp;“And” rule to send multiple campaigns to customers</li><li>“Or” rule for more targeted campaigns to customers&nbsp;</li><li>Send SMS and email campaigns</li><li>Stampede’s email builder has lots of new features to create eye-catching emails&nbsp;</li></ul>



Reviews &#8211; 8:31



The Reviews tool has an easy to use filter system so you can manage all your reviews in one place efficiently. The review email template has also undergone a modern upgrade that autofill images and text from your splash page to create a stylish, branded design automatically&nbsp;



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Filter based on website or time&nbsp;</li><li>Email template upgrade</li></ul>



Stories &#8211; 9:41



WiFi Stories allows you to promote news, offers, events and more in a dynamic way. On your Connect account, you can now create tiles for individual promotions and messages, that will be shown to returning visitors to your venue, after they login back into the WiFi. Each tile will be shown for 12 seconds before moving on, with a countdown timer along the top.



You can track impressions from the Stories and track clicks and interactions on these in the Connect platform, alongside our improved dashboard, analytics, and other marketing tools.



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>How to create stories</li><li>How to track impressions</li></ul>

Connect Version 4.0

The Guest Re-Engagement Workflow Every Venue Needs

Introducing – Marketing Workflows

Coming Soon – The Enquiry Pipeline

June Update – AI Review Insights, New Features and More

Build, Build, Build

A more effective ways to run Meta ads for hospitality

4 Ways CRM Data Can Be Used in Day-to-Day Service by Your Staff

How to Use Segmentation to Increase Guest Engagement in Hospitality

Introducing Quick Campaigns

The Hospitality Industry Is Leaving Money In Their Inbox [Industry Insight Report]

According to Tech Jury, <a href="https://techjury.net/stats-about/live-streaming/#gref">87% of businesses now use video as a marketing tool</a>. Despite this eye-watering statistic, not all restaurants create either live or pre-recorded video content. If you are yet to grasp video marketing through your website or social media channels, it can seem quite daunting. After all, you are in the business of creating food &#8211; not movies!&nbsp;







That being said, video marketing continues to create a tangible experience for customers of brands all over the world. Instead of reading about your restaurant on a poster or in a magazine, viewers can see in real-time your dishes being prepared, or even your patrons having a good time experiencing your hospitality. It can give a flavour of what to expect when people dine or hold events with you.&nbsp;



Further read: <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-video-marketing-can-boost-your-restaurant/">https://stampede.ai/blog/how-video-marketing-can-boost-your-restaurant/</a>



If you’re ready to embrace live video as an effective marketing tool for your restaurant. Here’s everything you need to know about why video matters and how to get started.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Why Video is a Gamechanger</h4>



<a href="https://www.smallbizgenius.net/by-the-numbers/video-marketing-statistics/#gref">Over 500 million hours of videos are being watched</a> every single day on YouTube alone. That’s a staggering level of audience retention that cannot be ignored, especially when you are looking to market your business.&nbsp;



In the old days, you’d need to watch tv or rent a video (remember those?!) to view such content, but now video is everywhere we turn. In fact, it’s within just a couple of swipes or clicks. Before you know it, you’ve fallen down the video black hole and are watching something completely unrelated to what you first clicked on. Normally involving cats!&nbsp;



Video is not just a fad, and our addiction to watching hours of content means it’s the perfect place to market your business. Like live videos or even pre-recorded video ads that run before the video is played. Either way, it’s completely changed the way we consume content and is here to stay. If you’ve ignored live video up to now, it’s time to sit up and listen.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">How to Go Live</h4>



There are many ways you can create live video content in your restaurant. With the likes of Facebook and <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-hospitality-businesses-can-use-instagram-stories-more-effectively/">Instagram live</a>, it’s never been easier to shoot rolling content that goes out to all of your followers without the need for a professional film crew.&nbsp;



First things first, you should make sure the orientation is correct. Landscape works best! Choose a location that has good lighting and isn’t too noisy, so that your viewers can hear the audio and see your content properly. It’s also possible to buy an external mic or even headphones with a mic. If either the lighting or sound isn’t up to scratch, it’s worth picking up a cheap solution on Amazon that will make your broadcast shine, <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Selfie-Supplementary-Lighting-Enhancing-Smartphones/dp/B01E3NSBFA?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_1">such as this selfie ring light</a>.



Before you hit the ‘go live’ button, it’s also a good idea to practice what you’re going to say, and have an idea of what you are going to show your viewers. For example, a quick kitchen tour that involves a demonstration of your latest dishes by your head chef. As a quick side note, always check that everyone is happy to be on camera before you start!&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Remember It’s an Advertisement</h4>



Whatever tone you take with your live video, whether it’s laid back or ultra-formal, remember that the content should reflect the character of your restaurant. Although you might be streaming through a social media channel, it’s not the same as posting on your personal account.&nbsp;



With video, it needs to be constantly engaging so avoid long talking headshots. One of the biggest mistakes video content creators make is assuming people will hang around for hours. With a live broadcast, people might not have time or they might have even joined a few minutes after you went live, so remember to keep this in mind. A good idea is to re-iterate every few minutes who you are and what you are showing people.&nbsp;



On social media especially, your followers will all be notified once you go live, so this can swell your audience up quite quickly. <a href="https://sproutsocial.com/insights/facebook-live-tips/">Make it worth their while, and let your restaurant really shine as you do so</a>. Why should people watch and ultimately book a table with you? Now is the time to tell everyone!&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Get Creative</h4>



While live video is a marketing tool for your business, that doesn’t mean to say <a href="https://medium.com/@matchthebar/3-easy-live-video-ideas-for-your-restaurant-150bca376ef8">the video you create has to feel like it</a>. Remember that food is a really engaging topic, not least because we all have to eat it several times a day. Aside from showing them the interior of your restaurant, what else can your team literally bring to the table?



Perhaps you want to educate your followers on how to create the perfect pasta. You could even launch a competition, whereby someone who tunes in and correctly guesses a question relating to your business wins a free meal for two.&nbsp;



You might even have a themed night coming up. Live video is the perfect way to show your customers what they can expect if they book with you. And by asking them to tag a friend to bring along in the comments this will up the viewer count even more. Eating is a sociable, fun experience so make sure your live video content reflects this.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Conclusion</h4>



One of the best ways video creators can <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/engaging-customers-through-wi-fi-marketing/">connect with their audience</a>, is to tailor the content directly to them. As a restaurant, you might struggle to understand exactly who your key demographic is, so what’s the solution? Here at Stampede, our software can help collate customer information through a <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-marketing-with-wifi-benefits-your-business/">customised portal</a>. Allowing you to understand and stay in touch with your customers through insightful marketing data.&nbsp;



Ready to make your restaurant centre stage? <a href="https://signup.stampede.ai/">Sign up for your free trial today</a> and discover how Stampede can skyrocket your marketing potential. Our technology is simple to set up and use and will allow you to increase your sales and customer loyalty. <a href="https://stampede.ai/product/captive-portal/">From live video to email marketing</a> &#8211; staying clued up about who your audience is could not be a bigger advantage when it comes to filling tables at your restaurant.&nbsp;



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>





<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>

How to Make Live Video Work For Your Restaurant – Lights, Cooking, Action!

If you&#8217;re a restaurant owner or operator looking to boost sales, improve operational efficiency and increase customer loyalty, then it&#8217;s time to invest in a reliable restaurant <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/what-is-a-hospitality-crm-system-a-full-guide">CRM (Customer Relationship Management) system</a>. 



In this blog post, we&#8217;ll explore the top 6 key features of a successful restaurant CRM and discuss how they can help you become more efficient at managing your customers.



Here are the 6 must-have key features that you should be looking for when choosing your CRM:



<ol class="wp-block-list">
<li>Customer profile management</li>



<li>Customer interaction tracking</li>



<li>Integrated marketing features</li>



<li>Automations</li>



<li>Reporting and analytics</li>



<li>Third-party integrations and reporting</li>
</ol>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Customer profile management</h2>



Efficient customer profile management is crucial for hospitality businesses to maintain strong relationships with customers.&nbsp;



The customer profile stores all the customer data, such as contact information and other interactions from different sources in one centralised place. From there they can be easily managed and updated. If kept well-maintained it can facilitate and improve direct customer communication and marketing.



For example, tags can be added to profiles to categorise and segment them so that businesses can develop campaigns tailored to their customer&#8217;s needs



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Customer interaction tracking</h2>



As a business, it&#8217;s important to understand how your customers interact with your brand.&nbsp;



By tracking and analysing all customer interactions across various digital touchpoints, such as Guest WiFi, table bookings or order &amp; pay app, you can gain a deeper understanding of their needs, preferences and pain points.&nbsp;



You can easily access the history of all previous interactions, enabling you to tailor your engagement to their specific needs and preferences.



This knowledge can empower you to make informed decisions and optimise business processes that lead to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. Integrated marketing feature</h2>



An effective CRM solution should include an <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/marketing">integrated marketing feature</a>, with the ability to send email and SMS campaigns that allow businesses to streamline their communication efforts.&nbsp;



The CRM data can be used to segment customers for personalised campaigns. By targeting specific groups with tailored messaging, businesses can foster more meaningful connections with their customers and drive growth.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Automations</h2>



Marketing automations have become increasingly popular in recent years as businesses look for ways to streamline their operations and save time.&nbsp;



Automated email and SMS campaigns, triggered by certain customer interactions are an effective way of delivering tailored content to them.&nbsp;



These automated campaigns can also improve operational efficiency. This allows businesses to focus on other core tasks while the marketing takes care of itself.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Reporting and analytics</h2>



As businesses continue to expand, it becomes increasingly important to understand the impact of each initiative on growth. This is where the power of reporting and analytics comes in.&nbsp;



With a comprehensive overview dashboard that presents important metrics, such as Return on Investment (ROI), businesses can track their performance across different venues. It also gives them an overview of the results of their marketing campaigns.&nbsp;



Specific hospitality <a href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/analytics">customer analytics metrics</a> such as the number of return versus new customers can also help businesses better understand their customer base and make informed decisions.



Furthermore, CRM reports can provide businesses with data-backed insights that are crucial for growth. With these powerful tools, businesses can easily track their performance and stay ahead of the competition.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Third-party integrations</h2>



When it comes to CRM integrations, third-party tools can play a crucial role in helping businesses enrich their customer data.&nbsp;



By integrating with multiple data sources, businesses can gain deeper insights into their customers and manage their relationships more effectively.&nbsp;



Don’t let manual data entry and outdated systems hold you back. Automated data sync eliminates the need for manual data entry, saving businesses valuable time and reducing errors. An automated data sync means that all your data is updated in real-time, ensuring that you have access to the most accurate information at all times.&nbsp;



With just a few clicks, businesses can integrate their CRM system with other tools they need for success.&nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-summary">Summary</h2>



<a href="https://stampede.ai/">A restaurant CRM</a> with all the key features mentioned above is essential to any business looking to upgrade its customer experience, streamline processes and boost profits.&nbsp;



An effective restaurant CRM should help hospitality operators to access data from one central place. Users should also be able to act quickly on customer interactions.&nbsp;



It&#8217;s also vital that the system is user-friendly, making it easy for staff to navigate on a daily basis.



By focusing on maximising every interaction with customers, businesses can build strong relationships and increase loyalty. This ultimately leads to improved profitability.&nbsp;

The 6 Must-Have Key Features Of A Restaurant CRM

Getting up early has never been easy. Luckily, we&#8217;re blessed with coffee and people who have a passion for preparing good coffee. While enjoying a cup of java, we met Tom Hyde, co- founder of Brew Lab Coffee, at his shop on South College Street in Edinburgh.
Brew Lab Coffee opened about five years ago and is now a crucial part of many people’s daily routine. Instead of simply supplying Edinburgh with good quality coffee, Tom decided to go a step further and diversify the business. Opening a training lab beneath the shop was adding the “Lab” to Brew Lab . It&#8217;s used to train professionals and coffee lovers to brew their favourite drink to perfection. Furthermore, Brew Lab started selling their homemade Cold Brew last year (which we tried and it was delicious!).
<iframe loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/tuFYIzShg8s" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
<h2>It&#8217;s all about customer experience&#8230;</h2>
For Tom it is always crucial to provide the best possible customer experience to guests and not only provide them with great coffee, but also with great atmosphere and the best WiFi experience. From day one, Brew Lab Coffee was providing WiFi to its guests &#8211; but encountered problems with the login, the number of allowed users and other restrictions.
“We used to have a WiFi password in a picture frame on the wall and we used to change that every five days. It was a real headache to manage”, Tom mentions. 
And who doesn’t know the hassle of walking over to the counter and asking for the password? 
<h3>&#8230;and your Brand!</h3>
As one of our first customers, we reached out to Tom and introduced him to Stampede Guest WiFi. He is now welcoming customers with a uniquely branded login screen and making it as easy as possible for them to use the WiFi in a fast and secure manner.
“I think delivering something like WiFi has an effect on your brand. We are quite a brand led business. We take a lot of care and time to make sure we project the image we want to and delivering a safe and secure WiFi network is part of that. It’s not going to be at the forefront of any customer’s mind but it should be something that works seamlessly in the background, so they don’t have to think about it.“
<h3>How our Guest WiFi Software Helped Brew Lab</h3>
Another advantage that Tom gets out of Stampede WiFi are the <a class="" href="https://www.stampede.ai/how-it-works#insight" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">powerful insights</a>. Even though Tom knows the shop inside-out and spends a lot of time at his business, he admits that it is very helpful to have an actual data source to rely on. 
Gaining insights into customer behaviour is very valuable for every business, as the data can be used to get to know your customers better and approach them on a personal level. Stampede helps you to setup automated marketing campaigns and reach out to customers that connected to your WiFi earlier. 
<h3>Want to Provide Awesome WiFi and an Epic Experience to your customers?</h3>
If you crave a fantastic cup of coffee, find Brew Lab right <a class="" href="http://www.brewlabcoffee.co.uk/the-cafe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. 
And if you crave the best WiFi solution for your business, then don’t miss your chance and start a free trial by clicking the button below or contact Stampede today!
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>

Brew Lab Drips Success with Coffee Shop WiFi – Stampede SUCCESS STORY

[vc_row bg_type=&#8221;image&#8221; bg_image=&#8221;15605&#8243; bg_image_size=&#8221;responsive&#8221; bg_position=&#8221;center-top&#8221; padding_top_multiplier=&#8221;2x&#8221; padding_bottom_multiplier=&#8221;2x&#8221; equal_column_height=&#8221;middle-content&#8221;][vc_column vertical_content_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; width=&#8221;1/2&#8243; el_class=&#8221;on-top&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1583792399340{padding-top: 20px !important;padding-right: 50px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Our mission is to empower physical businesses with world class digital tools&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:div|font_size:40px|text_align:left|color:%231f2888|line_height:52px&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][fildisi_empty_space height_multiplier=&#8221;custom&#8221; height=&#8221;18px&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;main-page-text&#8221;]Since 2015, Stampede has provided businesses with intuitive tools enabling them to grow their business, whilst delivering an exceptional experience for their customers at the same time.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1/6&#8243; el_wrapper_class=&#8221;sliders&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1532536140578{padding-top: 20px !important;}&#8221; el_class=&#8221;m-hide&#8221;][/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1/3&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;We want to change the way offline businesses engage with customers online&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:30px|text_align:right|color:%231d1e2c|line_height:42px&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row padding_top_multiplier=&#8221;3x&#8221; padding_bottom_multiplier=&#8221;3x&#8221; columns_gap=&#8221;60&#8243; section_id=&#8221;contact&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243;][fildisi_gmap map_zoom=&#8221;5&#8243; map_height=&#8221;530&#8243; map_mode=&#8221;multiple&#8221; map_marker=&#8221;15975&#8243; map_points=&#8221;%5B%7B%22title%22%3A%22Stampede%20Scotland%22%2C%22marker%22%3A%2215975%22%2C%22lat%22%3A%2255.9770448%22%2C%22lng%22%3A%22-3.1731086%22%2C%22infotext_open%22%3A%22no%22%7D%2C%7B%22title%22%3A%22Stampede%20Wales%22%2C%22marker%22%3A%2215975%22%2C%22lat%22%3A%2251.479754%22%2C%22lng%22%3A%22-3.1556141%22%2C%22infotext_open%22%3A%22no%22%7D%5D&#8221;][/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Contact us&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:56px|text_align:left|color:%231f2888|line_height:60px&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;main-page-text&#8221;]Drop by our Scotland office at: 
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A flaw in WPA2, the encryption protocol used by routers to secure networks, <a class="" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/16/wpa2-wifi-security-vulnerable-hacking-us-government-warns" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">has been shown to have a massive flaw</a>, leaving networks across the globe open to cyberattacks.

<img decoding="async" class="" style="width: 320px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/wifi-security.jpg" alt="wifi-security.jpg" width="320" />Let&#8217;s repeat that &#8211; WPA2, which is the wireless encryption standard used to keep wireless networks secure and used by just about every router in the world &#8211; is no longer secure. In super plain terms &#8211; that means that hackers can now spy on, eavesdrop and capture whatever data they want on just about every wireless network in the world.
The exploit, named KRACK, takes advantage of the fact that some of the encryption algorithms used by WPA2 aren&#8217;t quite as random as they should be and, with enough persistance, a <a class="" href="https://youtu.be/Oh4WURZoR98" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">hacker could eventually break onto the wireless network</a>. Details of the exploit were revealed by the researchers who discovered it at the website <a class="" href="https://www.krackattacks.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Krackattacks.com</a> on October 16.
Here&#8217;s a video made by the researchers that discovered the exploit of how it works.
(Spoiler alert: for the terminally techy only.) 
<iframe loading="lazy" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Oh4WURZoR98" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
This security exploit is present in just about every piece of wireless hardware sold over the past few years &#8211; including that extra fancy internet-connected refrigerator you just bought. Changing your password isn&#8217;t going to do any good.What&#8217;s that? Oh, you think this means you&#8217;re finally going to get around to changing the WiFi password you have hanging on the blackboard above your cash register? Or maybe think of something a little more creative than <a class="" href="https://www.teamsid.com/worst-passwords-2016/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Password123</a>?
So &#8211; yeah, you could say it&#8217;s bad.
<h3>How You Can Protect Your WiFi</h3>
Ok. So we&#8217;ll cut it with all the doom and gloom. There are a couple of bright spots here to takeaway.
<h3>HTTPS is still OK</h3>
<a class="" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/16/wpa2-wifi-security-vulnerable-hacking-us-government-warns" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">HTTPS (HyperText Transport Protocol Secure) is still secure.</a> This is the type of securityused by most financial and shopping websites like Amazon.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left;" src="https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/2735287/Blog/https-wifi-wpa2.png" alt="https-wifi-wpa2.png" width="244" height="84" />
You know the little lock you see in the URL window when you visit a site? That means that transactions are secured by HTTPS.
So you&#8217;re still good in the hood.
<h3>Automatic Security Upgrades</h3>
Companies that manufacture routers and connection points for use in businesses and public areas have been aware of the exploit for a while and have already started releasing patches and upgrades for their equipment. Companies like <a href="https://forum.mikrotik.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&amp;t=126695" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Microtik</a>, <a href="https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/10/severe-flaw-in-wpa2-protocol-leaves-wi-fi-traffic-open-to-eavesdropping/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ubiquiti and Aruba</a> have been pushing out patches automatically for their networked routers.
<h3>Update Your Router Firmware</h3>
If you have a wireless router you got from your cable provider or one that you picked up at the half off bin in the store, you&#8217;ve got some work ahead of you. In order to fix the security vunerabilities, you&#8217;re going to have to upgrade the firmware in your router, what is known as &#8220;flashing&#8221;.
It&#8217;s not quite as difficult as it sounds. You&#8217;ll need to follow your manufacturers diretions &#8211; which means digging through and finding the instructions for the router in the first place. <a href="https://kb.netgear.com/23442/How-do-I-update-my-NETGEAR-router-s-firmware-using-the-Check-button-in-the-router-s-web-interface" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Here&#8217;s an example</a> on how to do this with a Netgear router.
The good thing is that it&#8217;s typically a pretty fast process. The bad part is that, if you mess up, you could brick your entire router. If in doubt, take the router into a computer repair or IT service shop and have them do it for you.
<h3>Keeping Your Business WiFi Safe</h3>
If you&#8217;re a business owner, you&#8217;ve probably long known about the benefits of offering free WiFi for your customers. But, after seeing the security implications of hacks like the WPA2 exploit, you&#8217;re wondering how to keep your business WiFi safe and secure?
That&#8217;s an excellent question &#8211; because that&#8217;s where Stampede comes in.
No more writing down passwords on a blackboard. With Stampede, customers check into your network with an email or social media login. They&#8217;re securely connected and can surf the web knowing that their data is protected.
Because Stampede works with major manufacturers like Ubiquiti and MikroTik, your routers and access points can be upgraded automagically as soon as a security breach is spotted.
And let&#8217;s not forget <a href="/blog/press/marketing-with-wifi" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">about marketing</a>. With Stampede you can offer your customers a branded login screen to keep your business first and foremost in their mind. You can also use your login screen to <a href="https://www.stampede.ai/blog/articles/wifi-data-capture" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">capture customer data</a> for use in building mailing lists or SMS marketing.
Ready to make the switch to safe and secure WiFi? Try Stampede today!
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WPA2 Breach – Is Your WiFi Safe?

When was the last time you&nbsp;checked your 3-star reviews? Most businesses pay close attention to reviews on both ends of the scale but miss out on the valuable middle part. It’s often presumed that those 3-star reviews have minimal impact on scores and that customers probably won’t read them.&nbsp;



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



3-star reviews might be small in volume but they’re definitely the highest in value. 



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-why-3-star-reviews-matter">Why 3-star reviews matter</h4>



In general, 3-star or neutral reviews are a&nbsp;mixture of both negative and positive feedback in one review. Most of the time, those reviews are less emotional and written in a more neutral tone of voice.



A&nbsp;fair review with well-written text is much more insightful&nbsp;for your business and potential new customers reading through them. Using these insights you can then come up with action points to improve your customer experience.



Have a look at the below example. It can be categorised as a&nbsp;balanced neutral review, containing both positive and negative aspects.&nbsp;



Overall it provides a good insight into what potential customers can expect from their stay at this particular hotel. But it also contains parts that should be addressed and communicated back to the reviewer.&nbsp;



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><a href="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot-2021-10-21-at-11.41.59-1.png"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot-2021-10-21-at-11.41.59-1.png" alt="TripAdvisor Review Example" class="wp-image-20616" width="729" height="282" srcset="https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot-2021-10-21-at-11.41.59-1.png 729w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot-2021-10-21-at-11.41.59-1-300x116.png 300w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot-2021-10-21-at-11.41.59-1-150x58.png 150w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot-2021-10-21-at-11.41.59-1-592x229.png 592w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot-2021-10-21-at-11.41.59-1-155x60.png 155w, https://website-backend.stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Screenshot-2021-10-21-at-11.41.59-1-233x90.png 233w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 729px) 100vw, 729px" /></a></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator"/>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">How to respond to 3-star reviews</h4>



As with all reviews, it’s vital that you respond to your 3-star reviews as soon as you can. The tricky part lies in striking the balance of taking praise and acknowledging that there are areas that need your attention. Your response, therefore, needs to&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-respond-to-positive-and-negative-customer-reviews-online/" target="_blank">address both positive and negative comments</a>&nbsp;equally.



Make sure you personalise each response. The following 4 core elements give you a framework on how to approach your responses:



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">1) Acknowledgement</h5>



First off, thank the reviewer for their feedback by addressing them with their name.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">2) Appreciation</h5>



Next, thank them for the positive feedback and emphasise the positive aspects of their experience.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">3) Apologise &amp; take it offline</h5>



Transition smoothly over to the negative areas to address and apologise for their sub-par experience (if needed). Take the recovery handling offline.



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">4) Follow-up &amp; invite them back</h5>



Communicate the steps you’ve taken based on your customers’ feedback. Invite them back to show you’ve taken their feedback seriously.



This is how a response based on the 4 steps could look like:



“Dear [insert name], thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback.&nbsp;



We are glad to hear that you’ve enjoyed [insert positive]. However, we are sorry to learn about [insert negative], as we always aim to deliver an outstanding experience. We will use your feedback to improve our service and to ensure this doesn’t happen again.&nbsp;



To fix this, it would be great if you could drop us an email or call us on the details below.



Thank you again for your feedback, and we look forward to welcoming you again soon.”



Make review management even easier for you and your staff with our&nbsp;<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://stampede.ai/how-it-works/automations/#reviews" target="_blank">reviews feature,&nbsp;</a><a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=&amp;body=" target="_blank">get in touch</a>&nbsp;to find out more.&nbsp;

How can hotels get ahead of their local competition? These days, it’s not only about defeating direct hotel competitors but more importantly the self-catering options that might be nearby. Keep on reading for our clever hotel promotion ideas that will help you get your messaging right.



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity"/>



The main message should be centred around the benefits of staying in a hotel. Remind customers why staying in a hotel is what they need right now to fully unwind.&nbsp;



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-how-to-get-the-messaging-right">How to get the messaging right</h4>



However you promote your rooms and venues, whether it is through email and SMS to existing customers; or on social media and adverts, there are widely applicable messaging strategies that you can use to capture potential guests&#8217; attention.



Here are some hotel promotion messaging ideas that will make your offers stand out.



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Focus on the price advantage</h4>



It goes without saying that this approach is aimed at price-sensitive consumers first and foremost. Let’s look at how to get their attention.



Go through the online booking and research journey like your customers would and have a closer look into your local self-catering competition. Research their prices as well as offers and deals they have. Now you’ve got the data to craft some carefully worded, price-based messaging based on their offers like this:



“Save £XX per night when you stay with us versus local self-catering options!”



<h4 class="wp-block-heading">Highlight your hotel amenities</h4>



When developing your messaging, really focus on what sets you apart from self-catering properties specifically. Why should guests choose to stay in your hotel? How can you create a unique and memorable experience for them?&nbsp;



Think about what you’re proud of and known for. What are the main reasons that your most loyal customers come back?&nbsp;



Here is some hotel amenities inspiration:



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">In your rooms:</h5>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Welcome surprise, gift basket with homemade/local treats</li><li>Coffee/tea kit, mini bar</li><li>Room service</li><li>Toiletries, slippers, bathrobe</li><li>Pillow menu &#8211; choice of different pillows</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">On-site facilities:</h5>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>F&amp;B offers &#8211; exclusive afternoon tea, wide selection of spirits, etc.</li><li>Experiences &#8211; cocktail masterclass, whisky tasting, etc.</li><li>Spa &#8211; special offers/deals (pamper spa weekend deal)</li><li>Fitness centre and classes</li><li>Essential travel items available (in case your guests forgot something)</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Things to do:</h5>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Seasonal events</li><li>Arrangements for special occasion &#8211; romantic getaway, birthday weekend</li><li>Activity breaks &#8211; bike, archery, tennis, etc.</li><li>Concierge services</li><li>Highlight must-see tourist activities around your hotel&nbsp;</li><li>Local business collaboration for food/drinks (distillery tours)</li></ul>



<h5 class="wp-block-heading">Travelling with furry friends:</h5>



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>VIP pet offer</li><li>Pet room amenities &#8211; food/water bowls, mats, bed, toys</li><li><a href="https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/pets/g23026561/homemade-dog-treats/">(Homemade) tasty treats</a></li><li>Special canine menu upon request</li></ul>



Have you read Part I of this article already with tips on <a href="https://stampede.ai/blog/how-to-outsmart-the-self-catering-competition-part-1/">how to draw in customers to outperform your local competition</a>?



Do you want some help reaching out to your guests via email or SMS marketing? <a href="mailto:contact@stampede.ai?subject=&amp;body=" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get in touch</a> with one of our team. We&#8217;re happy to help.

[Part 2] Hotel Promotion Ideas to Outsmart the Self-Catering Competition

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[vc_row bg_type=&#8221;color&#8221; padding_top_multiplier=&#8221;4x&#8221; padding_bottom_multiplier=&#8221;2x&#8221; bg_color=&#8221;#17183f&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;20718&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][/vc_column][vc_column vertical_content_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; width=&#8221;1/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627558955383{padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;WiFi that brings customers back.&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h1|font_size:60|text_align:left|color:%23ffffff&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;main-page-title&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627558966591{padding-top: 40px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;main-page-text&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627556606493{padding-bottom: 45px !important;}&#8221;]&#8220;The captive portal makes it easy to capture GDPR compliant customer data to build genuine relationships with our customers.&#8221; 
Jamie Ward, Digital Marketing Manager, The Yard Coventry[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][fildisi_button button_text=&#8221;Get Started&#8221; button_hover_color=&#8221;primary-2&#8243; button_shape=&#8221;extra-round&#8221; button_link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fstampede.ai%2Fget-started%2F|title:Get%20Started&#8221;][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=&#8221;color&#8221; padding_top_multiplier=&#8221;3x&#8221; padding_bottom_multiplier=&#8221;3x&#8221; separator_top=&#8221;curve-left-separator&#8221; separator_top_size=&#8221;60px&#8221; separator_top_color=&#8221;#17183f&#8221; bg_color=&#8221;#f7fafc&#8221; section_id=&#8221;portal&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;20717&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;fadeInLeft&#8221;][/vc_column][vc_column vertical_content_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; width=&#8221;1/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627557919790{margin-top: 30px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Captive Portal&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:60|text_align:left|color:%23ff3c9b|line_height:1.5&#8243; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;main-page-title&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;main-page-text&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627552187149{padding-bottom: 45px !important;}&#8221;]Opens automatically when customers and guests connect to your WiFi. A one-off login and people will reconnect instantly when they return to the venue.
Customers use their email, Facebook or Apple ID to login, and you can ask for additional details like phone or date of birth.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][fildisi_button button_text=&#8221;Get Started&#8221; button_hover_color=&#8221;primary-2&#8243; button_shape=&#8221;extra-round&#8221; button_link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fstampede.ai%2Fget-started%2F|title:Get%20Started&#8221;][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][fildisi_divider line_type=&#8221;custom-line&#8221; line_width=&#8221;144px&#8221; line_height=&#8221;3&#8243; line_color=&#8221;custom&#8221; line_color_custom=&#8221;#edf2f7&#8243; padding_top=&#8221;30&#8243; padding_bottom=&#8221;15&#8243;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;text-includes&#8221;]CAPTIVE PORTAL INCLUDES:
<ul>
<li>GDPR compliant for customers and businesses</li>
<li>Easy to build with custom fields</li>
<li>Keep your business WiFi network separate and secure</li>
</ul>
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=&#8221;image&#8221; bg_image=&#8221;20243&#8243; separator_top_color=&#8221;#f7fafc&#8221;][vc_column mobile_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627561435894{margin-top: 30px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Stampede Tips&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;main-page-title&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Collect information like date of birthday or dietary information to create super personalised communications!&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h5|font_size:30|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:1.5&#8243; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; el_class=&#8221;main-page-text&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1642003002280{margin-right: 10% !important;margin-left: 10% !important;}&#8221;][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=&#8221;color&#8221; padding_top_multiplier=&#8221;3x&#8221; padding_bottom_multiplier=&#8221;3x&#8221; bg_color=&#8221;#f7fafc&#8221;][vc_column width=&#8221;1/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;20716&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;fadeInLeft&#8221;][/vc_column][vc_column vertical_content_position=&#8221;middle&#8221; width=&#8221;1/2&#8243; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627563561798{margin-top: 40px !important;padding-top: 30px !important;padding-right: 15px !important;padding-bottom: 15px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Customer Experience&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:60|text_align:left|color:%23ff3c9b&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;main-page-title&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;main-page-text&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627553264136{padding-bottom: 45px !important;}&#8221;]Create a brilliant customer experience with your custom designed login page to match your branding.
No more customers asking for the password. Instead, a fast and secure way for customers to join your guest WiFi network.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][fildisi_button button_text=&#8221;Get Started&#8221; button_hover_color=&#8221;primary-2&#8243; button_shape=&#8221;extra-round&#8221; button_link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fstampede.ai%2Fget-started%2F|title:Get%20Started&#8221;][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][fildisi_divider line_type=&#8221;custom-line&#8221; line_width=&#8221;144px&#8221; line_height=&#8221;3&#8243; line_color=&#8221;custom&#8221; line_color_custom=&#8221;#edf2f7&#8243; padding_top=&#8221;30&#8243; padding_bottom=&#8221;15&#8243;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;text-includes&#8221;]A BETTER CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE:
<ul>
<li>Reassuring, compliant login</li>
<li>Easy to use, improves login rate</li>
<li>Branded to your company with logos, colours and images.</li>
</ul>
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row bg_type=&#8221;image&#8221; bg_image=&#8221;20245&#8243; separator_top_color=&#8221;#f7fafc&#8221; margin_bottom=&#8221;40px&#8221;][vc_column mobile_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627563092355{margin-top: 30px !important;margin-bottom: 30px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Hemmingways Bar &amp; Restaurant&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h3|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;main-page-title&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;&#8220;A branded splash screen is essential for Hemingways as it helps promote our brand in a sophisticated way. The splash screen is highly customisable and easy to edit. &#8220;&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h5|font_size:30|text_align:center|color:%23ffffff|line_height:1.5&#8243; google_fonts=&#8221;font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal&#8221; el_class=&#8221;main-page-text&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627561965671{margin-right: 10% !important;margin-left: 10% !important;}&#8221;][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row disable_element=&#8221;yes&#8221; padding_top_multiplier=&#8221;3x&#8221; separator_top_color=&#8221;#f7fafc&#8221; el_class=&#8221;try-it&#8221;][vc_column css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1627558178666{margin-top: 30px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-bottom: 40px !important;background-image: url(https://stampede.ai/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/banner-bg2.png?id=15813) !important;border-radius: 20px !important;}&#8221;][vc_custom_heading text=&#8221;Try Stampede for free&#8221; font_container=&#8221;tag:h2|font_size:30px|text_align:center|color:%231f2888|line_height:65px&#8221; use_theme_fonts=&#8221;yes&#8221; el_class=&#8221;full-weight&#8221;][vc_column_text el_class=&#8221;main-page-text&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1584018887988{padding-bottom: 30px !important;}&#8221;]
Get started growing your business with a 14 day free trial.
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Setting up a business isn’t easy, but I’m sure no one told you it was. In addition to having stock and seats for your customers, you’ve got to ensure that the infrastructure &#8211; like phones and your internet connection &#8211; is ready to go. 

Internet, more now than ever, is vital to make your business ready to operate and thrive. Every modern organization and business, whether you’re operating in hospitality, events or retail, relies on internet for internal planning, making orders and communication.
Having an Internet connection and a fast WiFi service in your venue is vital for many of your business processes. Since you’ve got the WiFi setup and going for your business, why not let your guests login and use this network? No need to have another network. Right? WRONG!
If you want to learn how and why sharing the same network with your guests might ruin your business, <a class="" href="https://get.stampede.ai/wifi-mistakes-ebook" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">have a look here</a>. (SPOILER ALERT: It&#8217;s bad.) You’re using the backoffice WiFi network to full extent, but are you sure you’re deploying the Guest WiFi to full extent?
Using a <a class="" href="https://www.stampede.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">proper Guest WiFi solution</a> isn’t rocket science. Easily set up, a secure WiFi solution will not only give your guests the advantage to freely and safely connect to the Internet, it also offers immense benefits for your business. Envision the internet connection you’re offering to guests as a literal connection you are establishing with customers. Inviting your business patrons to <a class="" href="https://media.giphy.com/media/IwTWTsUzmIicM/giphy.gif" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">surf in your venue</a>, gives you the unique chance to get to know them on a personal level. 
When customers make use of your Guest WiFi, you can ask them to leave some information about themselves. Customer Data like name, gender or email address can be collected easily and your business can get to know your customers. 
Gathering certain information also enables a business to build customer profiles and learn about their guests’ behaviour, like how often they visit the venue or how long they usually stay. Information like this is extremely valuable to any business, as the venue might be adapted to these insights. For example, if customers tend to linger over a cup of coffee or a meal and work during their visit, installing extra power sockets for laptops and smartphones can make a trip to your venue even more pleasant and uncomplicated for customers.
The great thing about this approach to customer intelligence is that customers only need to go through the <a class="" href="https://www.stampede.ai/how-it-works#marketing" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Captive Portal</a> once!
Once registered, guests will be automatically logged into the Guest WiFi in seconds. Not only does this help the guests easily use your connection, it also helps you to generate data about them and gain insights for every single visit to your venue. Let&#8217;s say your customer visited a venue in New York, USA and your venue in Glasgow &#8211; as long as both places are using Stampede, guests will be able to login seemlessly in either venue. Now that’s what we call smooth&#8230;
All you need is a single login
Most of your guests will be grateful for the opportunity to use Guest WiFi and they’ll make use of it without a second&#8217;s hesitation. That’s how it should be, as the business is also gaining valuable data in return. Creating a win-win situation here is very easy. In case your customers are rather reluctant to use the WiFi or don’t want to exchange their email address for internet access, here’s a little tip:
After going through the Captive Portal, redirect your customers to whichever website you want them to see. So, why not redirect them to a separate Landing Page that includes a little treat like 50% off the next drink? This guarantees you happy customers AND data to profile your visitors. Let’s be honest &#8211; ever heard someone say “no” to a discounted drink and free WiFi?
If you want to find out more about how Stampede can help you boost your business, connect to customers and turn them into loyal visitors, click right below and find out.
<a class="eut-modal-popup" href="https://calendly.com/stampedeae/stampede-demo-request?month=2020-02">Click here to get started.</a>