Digital menu boards are revolutionizing the restaurant industry, providing a dynamic, flexible, and visually compelling way to communicate with customers. To ensure your digital menu boards are effective, you need a blend of thoughtful planning, smart design, and best practices. Below, we’ll walk through 12 actionable tips to help you create high-impact digital menus that enhance customer experiences and boost sales.
1. Choose the Correct Font Size
Your text should be large enough to read from a typical customer’s distance. Factors like screen size and placement matter here. Thankfully, digital menu boards allow you to test and adjust font sizes easily. With SmarterSign’s tools, you can quickly resize all text to find the ideal readability for your space.
2. Maintain Consistent Branding
Your menu board colors and design should complement your restaurant’s branding, but readability should always take priority. Avoid overcrowding with logos or unnecessary branding elements. Instead, design with a cohesive color palette that reinforces your brand while keeping the menu simple and easy to read.
3. Avoid Hard-to-Read Fonts
Decorative fonts, like cursive styles, might look elegant but can be challenging to read at a glance. Stick to clean, modern fonts to help customers quickly identify items, reducing ordering time and improving customer satisfaction.
4. Skip the Currency Symbols
Including currency symbols like “$” next to every price can draw too much attention to the cost of items, detracting from the customer experience. A Cornell University study found that menus without dollar signs encourage higher spending.
5. Group Items by Category
Organize your menu into clear categories like “Burgers,” “Drinks,” and “Sides.” This structure makes it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for. For specific dietary needs, like gluten-free or vegan options, consider creating clearly labeled sections.
6. Use High Contrast for Text and Backgrounds
Your text should stand out against the background for maximum readability. Solid, high-contrast backgrounds work best. Avoid placing logos or busy patterns behind your text—they can distract from the menu’s clarity.
7. Showcase High-Quality Images
If you include images, ensure they are professional and high-resolution. Low-quality, pixelated photos can reduce trust in your brand. Better yet, use pictures of your actual menu items for authenticity and appetite appeal.
8. Keep It Simple
Avoid overwhelming customers with too much text or too many images. Item descriptions should be short and precise, especially if you have calorie counts or other required information. A clutter-free menu enhances customer decision-making.
9. Highlight Popular Items
Make your best-selling items easy to find. First-time customers often look for recommendations, and showcasing popular options helps guide their choice while reinforcing customer satisfaction.
10. Spotlight Limited-Time Specials
Limited-time offers (LTOs) and seasonal items often have higher margins or serve as market tests for future menu additions. Use distinct colors or borders to draw attention to these items and ensure they stand out.
11. Use Animations Sparingly
Animations can direct attention to specific items, like upsells or special offers, but overuse can distract customers. A subtle animation, such as a small shake or glow effect, every 10 seconds is enough to catch the eye without overwhelming the design.
12. Avoid Paginated Menus
If your menu rotates between different pages due to limited screen space, it can frustrate customers who miss information or have to wait for their desired screen to return. Instead, prioritize key items or invest in additional screens to display your entire menu.
BONUS TIP: Avoid Static Menu Formats
Static images or video-based menus can make updating a chore, resulting in outdated content. Use cloud-based digital signage software, like SmarterSign, to edit your menu with a real-time, intuitive interface. With SmarterSign, you can update prices, add items, or tweak designs effortlessly without relying on a third party.
Why These Tips Matter
An effective digital menu board isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a powerful marketing tool. By following these tips, you’ll not only improve readability and customer experience but also increase order accuracy, promote high-margin items, and streamline operations.
Ready to transform your menu boards?
SmarterSign’s intuitive platform makes it easy to design, update, and manage digital menu boards from anywhere. Contact us today to see how we can help you take your menu design to the next level.