Design & Organize: Menu Layout & Item Order

What you’ll need

• Active Digital Menu subscription
• Permission: Manage online menu
• Access to the TaoRocket Console

1. The Power of Layout and Order

Your menu’s layout and item order set the stage for how customers discover your offerings.
A clear structure reduces decision fatigue and directs attention to key products, increasing satisfaction and revenue.

2. Customize Your Menu Layout

• Go to the Header & Style tab to personalize your menu’s look and feel.
• Choose from font families for titles and body text to align with your brand’s personality.
• Pick background colors or upload custom images for a distinctive ambiance.
• Decide which UI elements to show or hide (menu header, filters, categories) for a streamlined interface.
• Use the Apply Everywhere option carefully to maintain consistency by overriding individual item styles.

3. Organize Your Categories Thoughtfully

• Categories serve as the main navigation sections of your menu.
• Use descriptive, customer-friendly category names like “Chef’s Specials” or “Family Favorites.”
• Add background images or colors to categories to visually distinguish sections.
• Drag categories to reorder them, placing your most important or profitable categories at the top.

4. Manage Items Within Categories

• Add items into their respective categories and assign them clear names and enticing descriptions.
• Sort items by drag-and-drop to highlight new arrivals, best-sellers, or seasonal dishes.
• Use visibility toggles on items to quickly hide unavailable or seasonal items without deleting them.
• Add high-quality images to items where possible to increase appetite appeal.
• Don’t forget to accurately assign allergens and preferences to your items to support customer dietary needs and menu filtering. For detailed guidance, see our article Filter for Safety: Allergy Options.

5. Work with Item Variations

• Variations let you offer options like size, flavor, or extras without cluttering your menu.
• Organize variations by priority; place popular options first.
• Ensure allergen and preference filters are accurately assigned to each variation for customer safety – for more informations check Filter for Safety: Allergy Options.

6. Manage Translations for Multilingual Menus

• If you serve diverse customers, add multiple languages in the Language & Translations tab.
• Translate item names, descriptions, and categories to enhance accessibility and reach.
• Use the upload feature for bulk translation or edit languages individually.
• Learn more in Speak Their Language: Translating Your Menu.

7. Preview Your Menu Across Devices

• Switch between desktop, tablet, and mobile previews to ensure your layout and ordering look great everywhere.
• Adjust item descriptions, font sizes, and image placements as needed for each device size.
• Use preview mode to check the effectiveness of filters and visibility settings.

8. Save and Publish Your Masterpiece

• Regularly save your changes by clicking Update to avoid data loss.
• When your menu is ready, click Publish to make it live.
• Remember: publishing replaces the previous live menu version with your latest design and order.

Tips for Success

• Keep your menu clean and organized; avoid overwhelming customers.
• Use categories and item order strategically to guide purchasing decisions.
• Regularly update your menu layout based on customer feedback and sales data.

What’s next?

• 🔗 Speak Their Language: Translating Your Menu
• 🔗 Filter for Safety: Allergy Options

🎉 With thoughtful design and organization, your digital menu becomes a powerful tool to delight customers and grow your business.