In the fiercely competetive business world of today, point of purchse displays can make or break a business. This is why marketers have spared no efforts to conceive new and fresh innovations in conveying their marketing message. Bright and bold electronic displays placed within the business premises can create a stupendous visual impact and make a big difference to sales.
Today, online technology has enabled marketers to design a menu board or any digital display board independently and quickly. Alternatively, there are online companies such as Sign Menu who can custom design a digital menuboard or any digital signage online. For details please see www.signmenu.com.
Conventions, which have for decades advocated the assitance of advertising agencies and freelance designers become redundant in this internet age. By opting to design the menu board online the marketer saves time and costs.
The objectives of designing a digital menu board are :-
- To communicate effectively with the customer ,ie, the digital signage spells out the menu items clearly to entice him to enter the restaurant .
- It enhances the aesthetics of the restaurant – makes it seem vibrant and a happening place.
- It enables the restaurant owner to have a proper time management grid as waiters do not have to explain details of the menu to the customers. Thus, proper coordination between the order and the kitchen can be maintained.
DESIGNING TIPS
The restaurant owner has access to unlimited templates. This makes his job easier.
- A structured template, with relevant columns and rows, delineating categories of items –is imperative. Eg, in the category of salads, all salad items should be listed. Similarly, in the sandwiches category , all sandwiches should be listed.
- There should be a hierarchy of texts. Premium items, or special dishes on offer should be given bold lettering and should be placed on top. Likewise, subcategories should be lighter, and the prices lightest. Care must be taken to maintain proper balance of fonts, sizes , and colour.
- It is imperative for the customer’s eye to feel comfortable reading the menu. Hence a proper balance of text and images need to be placed. To many images / graphics could disturb the visual The same for texts. Clutter must be avoided. If the menu is large with many items, two landscape or portrait boards could be used.
- At times there is a need for empty spaces around items. This makes the item important in the eyes of the customer.
- Another point to note is the screen placing and orientation. If placed indoors, appropriate lighting arrangements and the menu board proximity to the customer should be appropriate. Last, but not the least, the restaurant owner must find away to place his Brand/ Logo prominently on the digital menu board.