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."
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.
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.
I would guess that more people probably visited tacobell.com today than on any other day in its history... and all that traffic is funneled to install Taco Bell's Android or iOS app. Seems to me like a very clever and successful campaign to boost app awareness and installs. As a temporary campaign it's totally brilliant; but the message "#onlyintheapp" is pretty risky as a lot of people might not "get it" and negatively associate Taco Bell with technological regression. It's ironic and a little post-modern that the site hosts a message about it's own non-existence and by doing so becomes the primary source of downloads for the app.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wonder whether there are any cases where it actually DOES make sense to drop an existing site and move to app only? Guess lots of examples of companies launching mobile-first or mobile-only solutions (e.g. Sprig) but any examples of companies making a clear switch away from web?
In my opinion, there wouldn't be a good reason. Maybe I can find your app directly in the app store, but what the 'Web provides is a human readable (and rememberable) address. Without it, you would need to search the app store or web search for [specific product/app name] (this assumes I learn about your product elsewhere and know that the app exists and how to get it).
I myself want to know as much as I can about an app before I download it, so would always check a website. I dislike ending up on a splash page with nothing but a screenshot of the app and a link to the app store. So I don't feel that any app for any device (or any product that you are trying to sell for that matter) would not benefit from an informative, accessible web presence. After all, I need to be sold on the idea of downloading the app. I confess I do prefer web over native app in most cases as a personal preference.
It is an interesting question, and the one my mind immediately went to upon seeing this. Because, yeah, I'm not seeing how this is a good idea for Taco Bell or anyone really. I will keep thinking about it and would be interested if anyone thinks otherwise.
[+] [-] crazypyro|11 years ago|reply
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."
[+] [-] andrewstuart2|11 years ago|reply
http://www.tacobell.com/food/tacos
[+] [-] kristofferR|11 years ago|reply
http://jacksmunchiemeal.com
[+] [-] bhups|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jackmaney|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] DonGateley|11 years ago|reply
Having tried that they will no longer get my patronage either, not that its quality got me there very often anyway.
[+] [-] randomdata|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] chc|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Stratoscope|11 years ago|reply
> It's #onlyintheapp
Well, that's a relief. I'm glad to hear their app doesn't use the Internet.
[+] [-] _nickwhite|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dpcan|11 years ago|reply
- Contacts/Calendar
- Location
- Phone
- Photos/Media/Files
- Wi-Fi Connection Information
- Device ID & Call Information
[+] [-] hsod|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jtokoph|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] numo16|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] ninov|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] RobLach|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] claar|11 years ago|reply
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.
[+] [-] kyboren|11 years ago|reply
Idiots.
[+] [-] schnable|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jerf|11 years ago|reply
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.
[+] [-] potench|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] rancor|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] quasse|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] brbcoding|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gjvc|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] jackmaney|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] got2surf|11 years ago|reply
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]
[+] [-] robomartin|11 years ago|reply
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.
[+] [-] schnable|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] swartkrans|11 years ago|reply
And really if taco bell loses search ranking for "taco bell" then the problem is with Google.
[+] [-] pulkitpulkit|11 years ago|reply
[+] [-] oldmanpants|11 years ago|reply
I myself want to know as much as I can about an app before I download it, so would always check a website. I dislike ending up on a splash page with nothing but a screenshot of the app and a link to the app store. So I don't feel that any app for any device (or any product that you are trying to sell for that matter) would not benefit from an informative, accessible web presence. After all, I need to be sold on the idea of downloading the app. I confess I do prefer web over native app in most cases as a personal preference.
It is an interesting question, and the one my mind immediately went to upon seeing this. Because, yeah, I'm not seeing how this is a good idea for Taco Bell or anyone really. I will keep thinking about it and would be interested if anyone thinks otherwise.
[+] [-] unknown|11 years ago|reply
[deleted]
[+] [-] josegonzalez|11 years ago|reply
App is not available on android yet (for me), though it does show up in the Play store autocomplete.
[+] [-] TY|11 years ago|reply
All I see here are free ads for Apple and Google. Good job, Taco Bell :-)