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Digital Signage

What are Digital Menu Boards?

In today’s high-tech world, more and more businesses are making the switch from traditional printed menus to digital menu boards. Digital menu boards offer a number of advantages over their print counterparts, including the ability to change menu items and prices quickly and easily, engage customers with interactive content, and more. If you’re considering making the switch to digital, here’s what you need to know.

What are digital menu boards?

Digital menu boards are screen system that uses software and hardware to screen dynamic menus on screens. In addition to menus, the screens can also screen specials and promotions, live TV, customer reviews, and more. They can also provide customers with additional information such as nutritional facts or allergen information. Digital menu boards are a great way to show off your dishes and drinks to potential customers. Digital menu boards are usually installed inside of a restaurant or outdoors for drive-throughs. While the content displayed is the same, the considerations of an outdoor menu boards are different from those of an indoor one. They come in a variety of sizes and resolutions, so it is important to choose the right one for your business needs and budget requirements.

There are a few things to keep in mind when creating digital menu boards. First, consider the overall layout and design of the menu board. The goal is to create a visually appealing layout that is easy for customers to navigate. Second, decide what type of content you want to include on your digital menu board. In addition to your restaurant’s name and logo, you’ll need to include photos or videos of your food, as well as pricing information. Finally, make sure your digital menu board is easy for customers to use. Include clear instructions on how to navigate the menus and make sure the buttons are big enough to be pressed easily. By following these tips, you can create digital menu boards that are both informative and visually appealing.

While the content displayed is customizable, businesses that are best suited for digital menu boards are those that want to update their menus regularly or have a lot of specials and promotions to advertise. Digital menu boards also require less maintenance than traditional printed menus, but they can still experience technical difficulties from time to time. Troubleshooting these problems usually just requires contacting the vendor or manufacturer for support.

If you’re looking to improve your customer’s experience, a digital menu board is a great investment. They provide a wealth of benefits that can help your business save time and money while creating a more memorable customer experience.

The evolution of menu boards

The evolution of menu boards has been fascinating to watch. The first menu boards were simply chalkboards where words were written by hand to advertise the day’s specials. These were eventually replaced by printed boards that were static and didn’t change much from day to day. However, these static menu boards soon became outdated as digital technology began to take over. Today, digital menu boards are commonplace in both fast-food and casual dining establishments. These interactive displays offer a number of advantages over traditional menu boards, including the ability to show live pricing and suggestive selling features.

Then, digital menu boards came along and changed the game. They have revolutionized the restaurant industry, providing a more flexible and dynamic way to showcase food and drink offerings. With digital menu boards, restaurants could screen specials and promotions, live TV, customer reviews, and more. Digital menu boards are quickly becoming a staple in restaurants of all types and sizes. They’ve also made it possible for restaurants to provide more information to customers, including live pricing and suggestive selling.

Now, the latest development in menu boards is the ability to integrate with POS systems. This means that restaurants can download their menus and menu items directly from their point of sale, which is a major time saver. Not to mention, it eliminates the risk of inputting errors.

With the right POS system or right tech, Internet outages don’t threaten your menus. Certain technology isn’t reliant on an Internet connection. Menu boards stay up even if your connection is down.

Benefits

Digital menu boards are a great way to screen your menu in a modern and dynamic way. They have a number of benefits over traditional printed menus, including:

  • Easier updates: With a digital menu board, you can easily update your menu content as needed. This can be done from the phone or remotely, depending on the system you choose. This is especially beneficial for businesses that offer seasonal or daily specials. Rather than having to reprint entire menus every time a change is made, businesses can simply update their digital menu board content as needed. This saves time, money, and hassle.
  • Improved visibility: Digital menus are easier to read than traditional paper menus, and they can be displayed at a larger size for better visibility. Thanks to their eye-catching designs and dynamic content, digital menu boards can help businesses attract new customers. If your business is located in a high-traffic area, a well-designed digital menu board can help you draw in new business.
  • More engaging content: Digital menus can include more multimedia content than traditional menus, such as photos, videos, and customer reviews. This can help engage customers, keep them engaged while they wait for their food, and improve their overall dining experience.
  • Flexible design: Digital menu boards can be designed to fit any size or shape screen, so you can create a custom look that matches your branding. Need to add more screens? No problem! Digital menu boards are much easier (and less expensive) to scale up than traditional printed menus. You can simply buy additional screens and have them shipped and installed without having to worry about reprinting costs or destroying old menus in the process. Plus, since all content is managed centrally using CMS software, expanding your system is as easy as adding a new screen and linking it to your network—no manual updates are required!
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Two varieties

Digital menu boards come in two main varieties: indoor and outdoor. Indoor digital menu boards are typically installed in restaurants, while outdoor digital menu boards are designed for drive-throughs. The content that can be displayed on a digital menu board is the same regardless of the type, but there are some key considerations to keep in mind when choosing the right one for your business.

Outdoor digital menu board

If you’re considering an outdoor digital menu board, the first thing you need to take into account is the weather. Outdoor digital menu boards need to be able to withstand direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. They also need to be visible from a distance, so make sure the screen size is large enough and the resolution is high enough for customers to see clearly.

Indoor digital menu board

Indoor digital menu boards, on the other hand, don’t have to worry about weather conditions. But you’ll still need to consider the placement of the screen. Indoor digital menu boards are typically mounted on walls or placed on stands, so make sure there’s a clear line of sight from all angles. You’ll also want to make sure the screen is the right size for your space – too big and it will be overwhelming, too small and it will get lost in the shuffle.

Single screen vs. video walls for digital menu boards

When it comes to digital menu boards, there are two main options: single screens and video walls. Single screens are great for smaller restaurants or those with limited space. Video walls are perfect for larger restaurants or those who want to make a big impact.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when deciding between single screens and video walls for your digital menu board:

  • Size: How large is your restaurant? How much space do you have to work with?
  • Budget: Video walls are more expensive than single screens. Keep this in mind when making your decision.
  • Impact: If you want to make a big impact, go with a video wall. If you’re looking for something more subtle, a single screen will do the trick.
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What software features are important for creating digital menu boards?

There are a few key software features to look for when creating digital menu boards. First, you’ll want to choose a platform that’s easy to use. The last thing you want is to spend hours trying to figure out how to use the software. Second, you’ll want to choose a platform that offers templates. This will make it easy to create beautiful, professional-looking menus. Finally, you’ll want to choose a platform that offers a wide range of features. This way, you can customize your menu boards to fit your specific needs. Finally, it should be affordable.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing software for your digital menu board:

  • Ease of use: The last thing you want is to spend hours trying to figure out how to use the software. Choose a platform that’s easy to use.
  • Templates: Templates will make it easy to create beautiful, professional-looking menus.
  • Features: Choose a platform that offers a wide range of features. This way, you can customize your menu boards to fit your specific needs.

How to create digital menu boards

There are a few different ways to create digital menu boards.

The first is to purchase a pre-made template. This option is great for those who want an easy, turn-key solution.

Another option is to create your own digital menu board using Navori digital signage software and its built-in Content Manager and Data Feed Manager. This option gives you more control over the design of your menu board.

Finally, you can always hire a professional designer to create a custom digital menu board for your restaurant. This is the most expensive option, but it’s also the one that will give you the most unique and impactful results.

No matter which option you choose, creating a digital menu board is a great way to take your restaurant to the next level. Not only will you save time and money, but you’ll also create a more memorable customer experience

How to use live data in your digital menu boards

Digital menu boards are a great way to screen live data. This could include things like the current time, weather, stock prices, or even social media feeds. Live data is a great way to keep your customers informed and engaged.

There are a few different ways to use live data in your digital menu boards:

  • Screen the current time: This is a great way to let customers know how long they have to order.
  • Screen the weather: Customers can see what the weather is like before they decide to eat outside.
  • Screen product prices: This is a great way to keep your customers informed about the pricing.
  • Screen social media feeds: This is a great way to show off your restaurant’s social media presence.

What hardware do you need for digital menu boards?

Digital menu boards require a few pieces of hardware. The first is a computer, tablet, or mobile phone to run the content management software. Second, you’ll need a digital signage player. This is a small device that connects to your displays to show the content on screen, like the StiX 3700 from Navori. Finally, you’ll need one or more screens. These can be LCD TVs, LED signs, or even projection screens.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing hardware for your digital menu board:

  • The size of your restaurant: You’ll need to choose a screen size that’s appropriate for the space.
  • Your budget: Digital menu boards can be as simple or as complex as you want. Keep this in mind when choosing your hardware.
  • Your goals: What do you want to achieve with your digital menu board? Keep your goals in mind when making your decisions.

Best practices for your digital menu boards

Here are a few best practices for your digital menu boards:

  • Update regularly: Keep your menus up to date with the latest specials and promotions.
  • Choose your software wisely: Choose a platform that’s easy to use, reliable, and offers the features you need.
  • Be creative: Use your digital menu board to create a memorable customer experience.

Conclusion

If you’re looking to take your customer’s experience to the next level, a digital menu board is a great investment. Digital menu boards offer a number of advantages over traditional printed menus. They’re easy to update, they’re engaging, and can help reduce perceived wait times. With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why they’re becoming increasingly popular in businesses of all types. So what are you waiting for? Start shopping for the perfect digital menu board for your business today!