Most likely followup question: Exactly how many hours have you spent on the Taco Bell website in the past year, anyhow? Why would you spend any time there?
(If it weren't for the XBox One giveaway I'd expect the average answer to the first question to be indistinguishable from zero for everyone reading this.)
Argh, I forgot my "HN is a big website and I'm sure there's a dozen people who will pop up and say they do" disclaimer. Yes, hello down there... but you are the exceptions, and frankly I still don't believe most of you popping up to post something aren't just being contrary anyhow. (Nutritional data I'll believe, but a mobile app will be better at that anyhow! I too have tried to use websites to get nutrition info... I've only only found one that was any good at their mobile experience.) To a first approximation, nobody uses the Taco Bell website for any significant amount of time.
Type 1 diabetic here; Anytime I eat out I check to see if there is a website with carbohydrate counts so I can use the proper amount of insulin. Usually it's something like this...
Google Search -> How many carbohydrates in Taco Bell 7 layer burrito -> I'm feeling lucky -> Taco Bell's website with nutritional information.
Many restaurants if you ask at the establishment do not have this information, but it is typically available through their corporate websites.
As someone who has tried to use such apps to actually count calories, unless you've got a barcode, finding the right thing, especially for fast food, is a massive PITA, and they're not always up-to-date. Websites are way faster and more reliable.
Recipes and menus change faster than calorie counting apps can keep up. Additionally most of these apps are not comprehensive. I do use Calorie King and others apps as well, but they are not a substitute for direct data from the company.
If I'm running to taco bell for a group of people, I want to pull up a menu. It's static content. Mom and pops put up PDFs. It's not that hard and it makes my life easier.
None on Taco Bell, but a lot of other fast food websites. Most common use-case is looking at the menu to decide what people want before we set sail to the establishment.
For example someone wants a salad. What types of salads do they have? What is in them all? These questions are better resolved before you're sitting at a drive-through window.
I often access menus using a PC/web-browser. I don't currently have any establishment's custom app installed.
I don't see how this helps them. Was this an attempt at a viral campaign? Sort of like, hey look at us, we got rid of clothes because like, they were annoying.
I'm not a taco bell fan either, but presumably we aren't their target market, so they don't care what we think-- nor should they. It's only stupid if their target market thinks so, right?
(Edit: I don't want to imply that you're not allowed to criticize their decision. I just don't think it should be judged based on how well it works for people that have no interest in being a customer.)
See my other post in here about the reason WHY this impacts me and how they have just lost a customer. I'm not a big fan of Taco Bell; but would eat there occasionally since they are open later than most places in my area.
That's a fair point. Just a shot in the dark, but maybe their calculus is-- they will lose some customers, but for the customers they get to download the app, they'll get a lot more engagement / repeat visits through push notifications or other spam, or just an easier ordering system.
It sounds stupid to me also, but I'm trying to assume that whoever's in charge there knows what they're doing. I guess that might not be the case though.
Hang on, would that actually make you not stop by a Taco Bell? You're driving down the road, feeling like eating something dirty, and you don't stop at Taco Bell because they don't have a website?
One of the dozen checking in. The taco bell drive-thru person that gave me the whole spiel this morning was confused when I asked if they had an app for windows phone.
Well, you know there's a taco bell in your area because you see it when you drive by it. I'm not sure they really need a lot of visibility in search engine result pages. It's not like you're buying tacos over the internet.
And really if taco bell loses search ranking for "taco bell" then the problem is with Google.
From the meta description tag: the original website was used for 'nutrition guide, locations, franchise information, and career opportunities'.
While I've never seen anyone actually browse the Taco Bell website, it seems like they will still need a web presence for hiring and making nutrition guides available (if not legally, practically). Taco Bell probably doesn't drive many sales from their website, but I have heard of people applying for jobs or checking out nutrition info online.
Found the press release on their website (which isn't actually dropped I think). The press release makes it seem like its a temporary blackout on all Taco Bell social media. It doesn't specifically mention dropping the website permanently.
Appears to be a big publicity stunt that means very little except Taco Bell has a new mobile ordering app.
Excerpt:
"Today, Taco Bell’s highly followed social media platforms – including Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram – have gone dark, revealing the new way to Taco Bell is #onlyintheapp. While silent, each social media platform, as well as tacobell.com, will provide only a disruptive message and link to download the new app -- with all previous content removed. Consumers with the previous Taco Bell mobile app will receive an update for the new mobile ordering app."
So anecdotal and probably niche but since you asked: I don't go to Taco Bell frequently, but every now and then I have a craving. I don't know their menu well enough to just swing by and order. I use the website to check out that their deals are, and what's the crazy special of the season (e.g, that taco with a Doritos shell, or the burrito wrapped in a quesadilla).
A more mainstream use someone else mentioned: nutrition information.
I don't eat at Taco Bell. But even if I did I wouldn't want their stupid app on my phone. Also, the app likely gives them additional access to you which they didn't have using the website alone. This is really bad for consumers.
Horrible! Install...View permissions...Whoa! no way...Cancel. One less pesky customer to bother about.
I've seen it happen too often - apps that don't really require access to contacts or call information, still ask for them. The Android permission system is of course broken, but there's a lot of developer laziness too.
A lot of times, with games, the permissions are added because the ad network tells you to include them. Lots of ad networks will work just fine with just the Internet requirement though, which are the ones I prefer when I go the ad-route.
So, they'd like me to download a 31MB app with "Precise location", "Read contact data", "Modify or delete USB storage", and "Full network access" (among others!) so I can order tacos? I'll pass, thanks.
I don't often eat at Taco Bell, but when I do, I'm just driving by and have no other choices.
Seriously, what's with wanting to app-ify everything? I can't remember the last time I visited the websites of any of the fast food joints, much less used them for ordering or install their app on my phone.
The only websites I have used are from pizza joints because it actually is easier to order a pizza online than calling someone on the phone.
...and with access to your contacts, precise (GPS) location, nearby WiFi access points, camera, phone number, the ability to silently install packages (!) and prevent sleep, and with full network access[1].
66 comments
[ 4.5 ms ] story [ 122 ms ] threadMost likely followup question: Exactly how many hours have you spent on the Taco Bell website in the past year, anyhow? Why would you spend any time there?
(If it weren't for the XBox One giveaway I'd expect the average answer to the first question to be indistinguishable from zero for everyone reading this.)
Argh, I forgot my "HN is a big website and I'm sure there's a dozen people who will pop up and say they do" disclaimer. Yes, hello down there... but you are the exceptions, and frankly I still don't believe most of you popping up to post something aren't just being contrary anyhow. (Nutritional data I'll believe, but a mobile app will be better at that anyhow! I too have tried to use websites to get nutrition info... I've only only found one that was any good at their mobile experience.) To a first approximation, nobody uses the Taco Bell website for any significant amount of time.
Google Search -> How many carbohydrates in Taco Bell 7 layer burrito -> I'm feeling lucky -> Taco Bell's website with nutritional information.
Many restaurants if you ask at the establishment do not have this information, but it is typically available through their corporate websites.
I am not going to install their app just so I can reference their data, which I guess is a win for them for hiding that information.
Maybe these are minor concerns but "app only" sounds like a half-baked MBA's new strategy.
For example someone wants a salad. What types of salads do they have? What is in them all? These questions are better resolved before you're sitting at a drive-through window.
I often access menus using a PC/web-browser. I don't currently have any establishment's custom app installed.
One more reason, other than their food tasting like crap, why I won't be eating there anytime soon.
(Edit: I don't want to imply that you're not allowed to criticize their decision. I just don't think it should be judged based on how well it works for people that have no interest in being a customer.)
It sounds stupid to me also, but I'm trying to assume that whoever's in charge there knows what they're doing. I guess that might not be the case though.
Idiots.
http://www.tacobell.com/food/tacos
http://jacksmunchiemeal.com
Having tried that they will no longer get my patronage either, not that its quality got me there very often anyway.
Thankfully, every calorie-counter website/app out there has it built in for every restaurant.
edit: Looks like it's currently just their home page anyway: http://www.tacobell.com/nutrition/ works fine.
All I see here are free ads for Apple and Google. Good job, Taco Bell :-)
And really if taco bell loses search ranking for "taco bell" then the problem is with Google.
> It's #onlyintheapp
Well, that's a relief. I'm glad to hear their app doesn't use the Internet.
While I've never seen anyone actually browse the Taco Bell website, it seems like they will still need a web presence for hiring and making nutrition guides available (if not legally, practically). Taco Bell probably doesn't drive many sales from their website, but I have heard of people applying for jobs or checking out nutrition info online.
[edit for clarity]
Found the press release on their website (which isn't actually dropped I think). The press release makes it seem like its a temporary blackout on all Taco Bell social media. It doesn't specifically mention dropping the website permanently.
Appears to be a big publicity stunt that means very little except Taco Bell has a new mobile ordering app.
Excerpt:
"Today, Taco Bell’s highly followed social media platforms – including Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram – have gone dark, revealing the new way to Taco Bell is #onlyintheapp. While silent, each social media platform, as well as tacobell.com, will provide only a disruptive message and link to download the new app -- with all previous content removed. Consumers with the previous Taco Bell mobile app will receive an update for the new mobile ordering app."
A more mainstream use someone else mentioned: nutrition information.
App is not available on android yet (for me), though it does show up in the Play store autocomplete.
- Contacts/Calendar
- Location
- Phone
- Photos/Media/Files
- Wi-Fi Connection Information
- Device ID & Call Information
I've seen it happen too often - apps that don't really require access to contacts or call information, still ask for them. The Android permission system is of course broken, but there's a lot of developer laziness too.
i remember seeing them tweet at customers about their experiences so it's a bold move - i'd be willing to bet it's temporary to promote this app.
Seriously, what's with wanting to app-ify everything? I can't remember the last time I visited the websites of any of the fast food joints, much less used them for ordering or install their app on my phone.
The only websites I have used are from pizza joints because it actually is easier to order a pizza online than calling someone on the phone.
Do people really use these apps?
As a publicity stunt it could be brilliant.
Yup, just what the world needs.
[1]: http://www.appbrain.com/app/taco-bell-mobile-app/com.medlmob....