Make Your Restaurant App Go Viral with App Clips – Just Like Explode
Introduction
Ever wish your restaurant’s mobile app could spread like wildfire? Think about those fast-rising apps that everyone suddenly talks about—apps like Explode, which blew up practically overnight. Explode’s viral success wasn’t just luck—it was fueled by smart growth tactics pioneered by product minds like Nikita Bier, known for launching apps that thrive on network effects. One of the not-so-secret ingredients fueling Explode’s viral success was App Clips (also known as Instant Apps on Android). This technology lets people launch a slimmed-down version of an app instantly—no searching the App Store, no lengthy download, no sign-up hassle.
App Clips can do wonders for restaurant owners because they remove the biggest obstacle to app usage: the dreaded “download barrier.” In a saturated attention economy where every brand fights for smartphone real estate, winning over a new user is more challenging than ever. With App Clips, you can hook customers immediately—whether they’re visiting your website or scanning a QR code while sitting at your table. Below, we’ll break down:
- What App Clips (Instant Apps) are and why they matter
- How Explode leveraged them for explosive virality
- Four practical ways restaurants can use App Clips in marketing
- Why Curate’s solution makes implementing this technology seamless
Let’s dig in!
What Are App Clips (Instant Apps), and Why Should Restaurants Care?
App Clips are a lightweight version of your full app that loads almost instantly from a link, QR code, or NFC tag. Android calls this concept Instant Apps—same idea, different name. The point is to fulfill a specific, immediate need (like viewing a menu or placing an order) without making the user go to the App Store, press “Download,” and wait.
For restaurants, this is a game-changer because:
- Fewer Barriers = More Engagement
People no longer need to wade through multiple steps just to see your menu or place an order. Instant gratification wins every time.
- Higher Conversion Rates
By capturing customers’ attention in the moment, you turn casual interest into immediate action—like ordering takeout right when the craving strikes.
- Built-In Upgrade Path
After a positive mini-app experience, you can prompt users to download the full version. In fact, Curate finds that 60% of App Clip users go on to download the complete app, skyrocketing your total installs and customer engagement.
Why This Tech Matters More Than Ever
We live in an age of infinite distractions: people’s phones are jam-packed with apps, notifications, and marketing messages. Getting someone to commit to a full app download is tougher than ever. App Clips (or Instant Apps) sidestep that attention hurdle, letting you show off your app’s best feature right away—and that immediate payoff can hook people in ways a “Download Now” button can’t.
Explode: Right Before Frictionless Sharing
A social app called Explode used App Clips as a key driver for its incredible virality. Nikita Bier, the founder behind apps like Gas and TBH, has shown time and again that removing friction is critical for viral loops. Explode’s use of App Clips followed a similar playbook—making it effortless for users to experience the app instantly. The basic premise: send disappearing photos to your friends—a playful twist on the ephemeral messaging craze. Here’s how App Clips supercharged its success:
- Frictionless Sharing
If a user sent a photo to someone who didn’t have Explode, that friend could still view it instantly via an App Clip. No forced download meant virtually anyone who received a link could experience the app’s fun factor right away.
- Activity Modules & Countdown Timer
Explode went a step further by using activity modules on the iPhone’s home screen and Dynamic Island (for compatible devices). A countdown timer on the lock screen added urgency and excitement—turning the app’s ephemeral content into an even bigger hook. This created a “fear of missing out” effect and fueled a viral loop.
- Overnight Growth
Because recipients could engage immediately—and see that ticking countdown in real time—Explode gained massive traction in a matter of days. The simpler you make it for someone to try your product, the more likely it is to spread.
Lesson for Restaurants
While Explode wasn’t a restaurant app, the principle is the same: the easier and more exciting you make it to interact with your core feature, the more people will share and stick around. App Clips (Instant Apps) are the perfect tool to deliver that instant value, prompting new users to say “Wow, that was easy!”—and hopefully return for more.
4 Ways App Clips (Instant Apps) Can Level Up Your Restaurant Marketing
1. Instant App Access for Website Viewers
Ever notice how many restaurant websites link out to a separate web-based ordering platform? This can be a forgettable experience—visitors might place an order once, then vanish. Instead, App Clips let your website visitors tap an “Order Now” button and instantly open a mini-app. Suddenly, they’re in your ecosystem, not a generic web ordering form. Here, you can highlight your loyalty program, special deals, or next-day promos—all while making the ordering process friction-free.
2. Referrals & Social Sharing
Just like Explode turned every user into a brand ambassador, you can harness referrals to fuel organic growth. After a customer finishes ordering or browsing in your App Clip, prompt them to share a referral link with a friend. That friend opens the link—voilà, the App Clip loads with a special discount. Because no download is required, your referral process won’t scare off new users. This self-perpetuating viral loop can multiply your audience rapidly.
3. Loyalty Program Sign-Ups
App Clips can handle simple account creation or sign-ins. That means new users can instantly join your loyalty program without the friction of a full download. Let them order once or twice via the mini-app, then offer an appealing reward: “Download our full app now to keep earning points!” Given that they’ve already had a positive first impression, they’ll be more inclined to take that next step. Over time, these new sign-ups can dramatically increase repeat orders.
4. In-Store App Clips for Seamless Ordering & Subtle Marketing
Sitting customers are a captive audience, so why not use that opportunity to advertise your app? Place a QR code on each table or in your menu that says: “Scan for a Faster Way to Order & Pay.” Within seconds, diners can launch your mini-app to order another round of drinks, view dessert options, or even settle the bill. This does two things:
- Elevates Customer Experience: Less waiting, more convenience.
- Subtly Markets Your App: Even if only 10% of customers keep the App Clip or download your full app afterward, that adds up to ongoing engagement over time.
Bringing It All Together with Curate
You might be thinking, “This sounds great, but how do I actually implement it?” That’s where Curate enters the picture. Curate specializes in restaurant mobile solutions—and includes App Clips (Instant Apps) right out of the box. Here’s why that matters:
- Quick Deployment
Implementing App Clips or Instant Apps yourself can be complex. Curate does the heavy lifting, ensuring your mini-app meets all Apple and Google guidelines so you can launch faster.
- Simple Integration
Already got a point-of-sale system, email marketing tool, or loyalty platform? Curate integrates with popular services, so your mini-app can pull menu data, handle payments, and sync rewards seamlessly.
- Analytics & Insights
Want to know how many people scanned your QR codes or tapped your “Instant Order” website link? Curate’s dashboard tracks these metrics, helping you refine what’s working—and what’s not. That data-driven approach can yield continuous improvements in conversion and revenue.
- Built-In Marketing Tools
From push notifications to special promos, you can re-engage customers after they first try the App Clip. For example, you might send a one-time use coupon to anyone who scanned your code but hasn’t ordered again in a week. By automating these nudges, you turn a casual user into a loyal diner.
The Curate Difference: 60% Conversion to Full App
Remember how we mentioned that 60% of App Clip users end up downloading the complete app in Curate’s experience? That’s huge for scaling your user base. Essentially, you’re giving a “free sample” that leads to a bigger commitment—perfect for restaurants looking to grow their repeat clientele.
Pro Tips for Making the Most of App Clips
- Include a Promo in Delivery Marketplace Orders
Want to convert third-party marketplace customers into your direct customers? Slip a small card or flyer into every delivery bag with a QR code or link to your App Clip. Offer a special discount for using the Instant App next time. It’s a simple way to reclaim margins lost to hefty delivery fees.
- Place QR Codes Strategically
High-traffic spots are key: windows, tables, even your packaging. Be explicit: “Scan for Today’s Special” or “Order & Pay Here.” Clear instructions boost engagement.
- Offer an Immediate Benefit
A first-order discount (like a free side or drink) can motivate users to try your App Clip right away. Everybody loves a deal, especially if it’s quick and easy to claim.
- Use Visual Cues
Show a small preview image or tagline: “Try our limited-time menu!” This piques curiosity and sets the expectation before they scan.
- Test & Refine
Track conversion metrics: Did they order? Did they share a referral link? If not, consider updating your messaging or your offer. Continuous tweaking ensures long-term success.
Final Thoughts: Let Curate Help You Go Viral
Restaurant success often hinges on visibility and convenience. In today’s crowded mobile app market, App Clips (Instant Apps) can give you a critical edge by eliminating friction for new users. Whether they’re browsing your website, scanning a promo in-store, or receiving a referral link, showing them your best features in seconds is the key to winning hearts—and wallets.
Call to Action: Schedule a Demo with Curate
If you’re ready to see how Curate’s App Clip/Instant App technology can help your restaurant tap into Explode-level virality (minus the disappearing photos!), click here to schedule a free demo. As Nikita Bier has demonstrated with his viral apps, the secret to engagement is reducing barriers—App Clips let you do just that for restaurant customers. You’ll discover how a frictionless mini-app can engage new customers faster, showcase your brand’s best offers, and ultimately drive more downloads of your full app. Don’t let the attention economy hold you back—give potential diners an instant taste of what you have to offer, and watch your restaurant truly take off.
Schedule a Demo with Curate
