Digital Menu Setup
Topic 03
Categories guests can scan on mobile
Structure for thumbs
Use names guests already say out loud. Too many categories make a phone menu feel longer than the kitchen.
In 30 seconds
- Rename categories to guest language, not kitchen codes.
- Merge tiny categories that only hold one or two items.
- Put bestsellers near the top of their section.
Why this matters
A quick visual for busy owners.Replace with a real Menu item editor with photo and price screenshot when ready.On mobile, category names are the map. If guests cannot find Lunch, Wings, or Drinks fast, they leave.
Category habits
- Few clear sections beat many clever ones
- Guest words over internal slang
- Stable order week to week
- Specials belong in Promotions, not a mystery section
Example
7 days
30 days
90 days
Menu · Category views
- Categories7
- Top categoryWings
- Orphan items0 target
- Avg scroll depthImproved after merge
Recommendation
Merge the tiny sectionsIf a category has one item, fold it into a neighbor guests already understand.
Data to decisions
| What you notice | What to do |
|---|
| Guests ask where an item lives | Rename or move it |
| Twelve categories on 30 items | Consolidate |
| Specials buried mid-menu | Use Promotions |
The takeaway
Categories are navigation. Make them speak like your customers.
