Crafting the perfect online menu for higher conversions
Your online menu is more than a list of dishes; it’s a powerful tool that can drive sales and increase customer satisfaction. In fact, 70% of consumers prefer to order online direct from restaurants instead of third party apps, making it essential for restaurant owners to perfect their digital menu offerings . Here's how you can create a menu that converts and attracts more orders
1. Keep it Simple and Clear
When it comes to menu design, less is more. Overloading customers with too many options can lead to decision fatigue, often resulting in fewer orders or even cart abandonment. Keep your online menu concise and easy to navigate:
Prioritise clarity: Use simple, descriptive language for dish names and descriptions.
Display prices clearly: Ensure that prices are visible and transparent to avoid confusion.
Organise your menu logically: Arrange items by categories like starters, mains, sides, and desserts for easier browsing.
2. Highlight Popular and Profitable Items
To boost sales, strategically position your best-selling and most profitable dishes:
Place popular dishes in prominent spots, such as the top or centre of the menu.
Use bold text, icons, or a different colour to draw attention to high-margin items.
Consider the "golden triangle" layout that guides the customer’s eye to your most profitable dishes.
3. Use High-Quality Photos
Visuals are key to enticing customers online, with food photos increasing order conversion rates by 30% . High-quality photos make dishes more appealing and can persuade customers to add extra items:
Invest in professional photography to maintain consistency and showcase your food in the best light.
Ensure the images are authentic and represent the actual dishes to avoid disappointing customers.
4. Optimise for Mobile Devices
With majority online orders coming from mobile devices , a mobile-friendly menu is essential:
Use responsive design to ensure your menu looks great on any screen size.
Test your menu across various devices to guarantee readability and seamless navigation.
5. Incorporate Upselling and Cross-Selling Tactics
Maximise your online sales by encouraging customers to spend more through upselling and cross-selling:
Suggest add-ons like extra toppings or sides with high-profit margins.
Offer meal deals, combos, or "bundles" with a slight discount, encouraging larger orders.
Display offers such as "add a dessert for only £2" to increase the average order value.
6. Make Customisation Easy
Today’s diners expect flexibility in their orders. In fact, customers are more likely to order from a restaurant that offers easy customisation:
Allow customers to personalise their meals by selecting toppings, flavours, or portion sizes.
Use checkboxes or dropdown menus to streamline the customisation process and avoid overwhelming the customer.
7. Include Dietary Tags and Preferences
With an increasing demand for dietary-friendly options, make it easy for customers to find dishes that suit their preferences:
Clearly label vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, or nut-free options.
Consider adding filters so customers can quickly sort through options that cater to their dietary needs.
8. Keep Your Menu Updated
Outdated menus can lead to customer frustration and lost sales. Keep your menu fresh and accurate:
Update it regularly to reflect seasonal changes, ingredient availability, or price adjustments.
Synchronise updates across all platforms where your menu is available, including your website, delivery platforms, and Google My Business listing.
By optimising your online menu, you not only enhance the customer experience but also position your restaurant for higher conversions and profitability. At Flipdish, we help restaurant owners in the UK and Ireland streamline their online ordering systems for maximum efficiency and revenue growth. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how we can help your restaurant thrive in the digital age.
