How To Create Digital Menus That Drive Orders: The Horago Approach

A powerful digital menu is the cornerstone of successful modern hospitality. Learn how to design one that boosts sales, enhances guest experience, and streamlines operations with Horago's QR ordering system.

Key takeaways

• Design your digital menu with your brand identity for a consistent experience that builds customer loyalty

• Structure your menu strategically with AI-driven recommendations to increase average order size by up to 29%

• Leverage multilingual functionality to serve international guests in their preferred language

• Use high-quality images and compelling descriptions to drive higher-value orders

• Implement QR code ordering to reduce staff pressure and improve table turnover time

The Digital Menu Revolution

Your menu isn't just a list of dishes anymore—it's now the primary interface between your guests and your business. When customers scan a QR code at your venue, that digital menu becomes your silent salesperson, host, and ambassador all at once.

According to our latest hospitality industry research, 73% of guests prefer the convenience of QR ordering when given the option, and venues using digital menus see an average increase of 29% in order value. This isn't just about technology; it's about creating an experience that delights guests while boosting your bottom line.

Many restaurant and hotel operators struggle to transition from traditional paper menus to effective digital ones. But with Horago's approach, you can create a digital menu that works harder than your best staff member—available 24/7, never taking breaks, and consistently upselling.

In this guide, I'll walk you through how to create a digital menu that increases sales, enhances guest experience, and integrates seamlessly with your operations. Let's transform your menu from a simple list into a powerful revenue-generating asset.

1. Structure Your Digital Menu for Maximum Impact

First, decide what items you'll include on your digital menu. Unlike paper menus, digital formats give you more flexibility, but that doesn't mean you should overcrowd your offerings.

A well-organized menu with clear categories helps guests navigate options easily and makes decision-making simpler. Horago's data shows that menus with focused selections actually drive higher average order values than those with overwhelming choices.

We recommend these category breakdowns for optimal results:

• Appetizers/Starters: 5-7 items

• Main Courses: 7-10 items

• Sides: 4-6 items

• Desserts: 4-5 items

• Beverages: 8-10 items (including specialty drinks)

With Horago's AI-powered recommendation engine, your most profitable items will be automatically highlighted to guests based on their browsing behavior and previous orders, creating a personalized experience that drives revenue.

2. Optimize Your Visual Design

Before adding content to your digital menu, establish your visual identity. This includes fonts, colors, and overall layout that align with your brand.

Horago's platform allows you to maintain brand consistency while leveraging design principles that drive sales:

• Color psychology: Use warm colors like red and orange to stimulate appetite for food items, while cooler blues and greens work well for premium drink selections

• Typography: Choose easily readable fonts at various screen sizes—sans-serif options like Open Sans or Roboto work particularly well on digital devices

• Contrast: Ensure text stands out against backgrounds for easy reading in various lighting conditions

• Whitespace: Allow for breathing room between elements to prevent a cluttered appearance

Remember that your guests will view your menu on their personal devices, so your design must work across different screen sizes from smartphones to tablets.

3. Craft Compelling Menu Descriptions

Your digital menu descriptions do more than inform—they sell. With Horago's multilingual capabilities, you can create mouthwatering descriptions that appeal to international guests in their native language.

Effective menu descriptions should:

• Use sensory language that appeals to taste, smell, and texture

• Highlight premium ingredients and preparation methods

• Include origin stories for signature dishes

• Remain concise (50-60 words maximum)

Here's an example of an optimized description:

Slow-Roasted Mediterranean Sea Bass

Locally-sourced sea bass marinated in citrus and herbs, then slow-roasted to perfect tenderness. Served with organic roasted vegetables and house-made romesco sauce. A customer favorite that captures the essence of coastal Mediterranean cuisine.

When combined with Horago's multilingual support, these descriptions become even more powerful, allowing international guests to connect with your offerings on a deeper level.

4. Implement Strategic Pricing Display

How you display prices significantly impacts purchasing decisions. Horago's platform allows for flexible price formatting that can boost profitability.

Research shows that removing currency symbols ($, €, £) from digital menus can increase spending by making the transaction feel less transactional. For example:

Classic Beef Wellington...38

Instead of:

Classic Beef Wellington...$38.00

This subtle change helps guests focus on the experience rather than the cost. Additionally, Horago enables you to:

• Position high-margin items in prime viewing locations

• Create attractive combo offers with bundle pricing

• Implement dynamic pricing for different day parts or seasons

• Highlight special limited-time offers

5. Utilize High-Quality Imagery

Our hospitality data reveals that digital menus with professional photography increase order rates by up to 30% compared to text-only menus. Horago's platform is optimized for visual presentation, allowing you to:

• Feature high-resolution images that load quickly

• Display multiple angles of signature dishes

• Use consistent lighting and styling across all photos

• Update seasonal offerings with fresh imagery

While every item doesn't need a photo, strategic use of imagery for high-margin items and signature dishes can dramatically increase their selection rate.

6. Leverage the Digital Advantage with Horago

Unlike traditional paper menus, Horago's digital platform offers unique capabilities that drive additional revenue:

• AI-Powered Recommendations: Suggest complementary items based on current selections

• Multilingual Support: Automatically display your menu in the guest's preferred language

• Special Dietary Filtering: Allow guests to view only items that meet their dietary requirements

• Real-Time Updates: Change prices, add specials, or remove sold-out items instantly

• Order Tracking: Provide guests with transparent information about their order status

These digital advantages create a seamless experience that encourages higher spending while reducing operational friction.

7. Analyze and Optimize Performance

One of the most powerful aspects of Horago's digital menu system is the ability to track performance and make data-driven improvements.

Our analytics dashboard provides insights into:

• Most and least ordered items

• Average order value by time of day

• Popular item combinations

• Language preferences of your guests

• Click-through rates on featured items

Use these insights to continuously refine your menu. For instance, if data shows a particular dish gets frequent views but few orders, you might need to adjust its description, price, or imagery.

8. Implement QR Ordering for Seamless Guest Experience

With your optimized digital menu ready, the final step is implementation through Horago's QR code system. Place QR codes strategically throughout your venue:

• On table tents or built into table surfaces

• At reception or waiting areas

• In hotel rooms for room service

• On promotional materials

• In window displays for takeaway options

Each code takes guests directly to your beautifully designed menu, where they can browse, order, and pay without waiting for staff assistance. This not only improves the guest experience but also:

• Reduces service time by up to 15 minutes per table

• Allows you to serve more guests with the same staff

• Minimizes order errors

• Provides valuable customer data

• Enables seamless upselling through AI recommendations

Transform Your Hospitality Business with Horago

Creating an effective digital menu is no longer optional in today's competitive hospitality landscape. With Horago's QR ordering system, you can transform your menu from a simple list of offerings into a powerful sales tool that enhances guest experience while boosting your bottom line.

Our platform makes it easy to design, implement, and optimize digital menus that drive results. From AI-powered recommendations to multilingual support and seamless payment processing, Horago provides everything you need to succeed in the digital hospitality era.

Ready to see how Horago can transform your venue's ordering experience? Request a free demonstration today and discover why leading hospitality groups trust our platform to drive their digital success.