Designing Digital Menu Boards: Why Simplicity Works Best

As a former digital marketing executive, I’ve tested many ways to upsell and promote products. Today’s digital signage software provides numerous tools to grab attention, like flashy graphics and immersive experiences. However, these “wow factor” tactics aren’t always the best approach, especially for Digital Menu Boards. In this post, I’ll explain why keeping your content simple is crucial.

 

The Importance of Simplicity in Digital Menu Boards

Digital menu boards are important in fast-food restaurants and quick-service restaurants. They help customers see their choices quickly and easily. Unlike ads that try to grab attention, menu boards have a simple goal. They aim to make ordering fast and easy.

A well-designed menu board makes customers happier by helping them choose faster and keeping the service moving smoothly. But if the design is too complicated or distracting, it can confuse customers, slow down orders, and cause frustration.

A Personal Anecdote: When Complexity Overwhelms

To show how important simplicity is, I want to share a quick story from my life. This was before I became a digital signage consultant.

One summer evening, after a long day on the golf course, I decided to stop by a popular fast-food chain. I expected a quick and easy ordering process. Instead, I found a digital menu board showing a promotional video for an item I didn’t want.

While I waited for the full menu, the screen showed just a few items. The messy display made me feel rushed and frustrated. I couldn’t find the information I needed fast. This experience taught me an important lesson: we should focus on simplicity and clarity.

Lessons Learned: The Case for Clarity and Functionality

This experience shows that digital signage, especially digital menu boards in busy areas, should have clear and simple content. It is important for the information to be easy to understand. This will help people make quick decisions. Here are some best practices for creating effective ordering experiences:

Keep it Simple: Focus on key items and avoid overcrowding the screen.

Ensure Readability: Use large, legible fonts and high-contrast colors for easy viewing.

Prioritize Popular Items: Display top-selling or most popular products prominently.

Minimize Distractions: Avoid full-screen animations or videos that take attention away from the menu.

Update Regularly: Ensure your items, prices, and promotions are up-to-date.

By following these guidelines, you can create solutions that improve the customer experience and streamline service.

 

 

Avoid Full-Screen Takeovers on Digital Menu Boards

While videos can be a great tool for promotions, they should never dominate the entire display. In busy places where video boards are used, customers want to see the full menu all the time.

Best Practices for Video Integration:

• Dedicated sections for videos: Instead of letting promotional videos fill the screen, set aside a small area for them. This way, all products stays visible.
• Timing matters: Avoid lengthy video loops that delay menu visibility. Promotional content should come after the main goal of the board. The board’s main job is to help customers choose their meals quickly and easily.

 

The Role of Technology in Simplifying Digital Menu Boards

Modern digital signage software has made it easier than ever to create effective, streamlined menu boards. Platforms like ScreenCloud and NoviSign offer simple tools for restaurant managers. They can update menus in real-time. This keeps the content relevant and does not need advanced design skills.

Harnessing Smart Analytics

Today’s digital signage solutions have built-in tools that track how customers interact with menu boards. Restaurants can improve their layout and content by seeing which items customers choose most often. This helps enhance the customer experience and boost sales.

Using Content Scheduling

Content scheduling allows restaurants to change menus throughout the day (e.g., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) without overwhelming customers. Seasonal promotions, limited-time offers, and rotating specials can be shown easily. This keeps the digital menu board fresh and interesting.

General Best Practices

Choosing the Right Hardware

Bright, high-resolution screens make menus easy to read in any light. Touchscreens let customers interact with the menu, making the experience more engaging. Strong, commercial-grade displays last longer and work reliably, saving on repairs and reducing downtime.

Content Management and Scheduling

Managing content well keeps things simple. Scheduling allows menus to change automatically for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Seasonal promotions and special deals keep the menu interesting and encourage customers to come back.

Consistency Across Multiple Locations

For restaurant chains, consistency is key. Centralized systems ensure menus look the same everywhere while allowing for local updates. Using a standard design makes it easier to manage content and gives customers a smooth experience no matter which location they visit.