ScanOrderGo

The Art of the Digital Menu: 4 Tips for a Better Customer Experience

Emily White

Switching to a QR code menu is the first step. The next is designing a digital menu that is not just functional, but also engaging and intuitive. Here are four essential tips for crafting the perfect digital menu experience with ScanOrderGo.

1. Invest in High-Quality Photography

The single biggest advantage of a digital menu is the ability to use visuals. Your food is the star of the show, so let it shine!

  • Be Authentic: Use real photos of your actual dishes. Avoid generic stock photos.
  • Good Lighting is Key: Natural light is best. Avoid harsh shadows and ensure the colors of the food look appealing.
  • Showcase Your Best-Sellers: Make sure your most popular and profitable items have the most impressive photos.

A great photo can make the difference between a customer ordering a standard item and upgrading to your signature dish.

2. Write Compelling Descriptions

Your descriptions should do more than just list ingredients. They should tell a story and entice the senses.

  • Use Sensory Words: Instead of "Chicken breast with sauce," try "Pan-seared chicken breast with a zesty lemon-caper sauce."
  • Highlight Origins: Mentioning local or special ingredients can increase perceived value (e.g., "Featuring heirloom tomatoes from a local farm").
  • Keep it Concise: Be descriptive, but don't overwhelm the customer with a wall of text. A short, punchy paragraph is perfect.

3. Structure Your Menu Logically

A confusing menu is a frustrating menu. Organize your items in a way that makes sense to the customer.

  • Use Clear Categories: Stick to conventional categories like "Appetizers," "Soups & Salads," "Main Courses," and "Desserts."
  • Create a "Specials" Category: Use ScanOrderGo to mark items as "Special." This automatically adds them to a featured category at the top of your menu, drawing immediate attention to them.
  • Guide the Customer: Place your most profitable items near the top of their respective categories.

4. Make Customization Easy

Customers love to feel in control. A well-designed variations and add-ons system can improve their experience and increase your revenue.

  • Use Variations for Required Choices: For things like steak temperature ("Rare," "Medium," "Well-Done") or size ("Small," "Large"), use a "Variation" group and mark it as required.
  • Use Add-ons for Optional Extras: For things like "Extra Cheese" or "Add Avocado," use the "Add-ons" feature. This makes upselling simple and non-intrusive.
  • Price Modifiers: Be clear about how customizations affect the price. ScanOrderGo makes it easy to add price modifiers to each option.