Creating Categories

Creating Categories

Menu categories help organize your offerings and make it easier for customers to find what they're looking for. A well-structured category system can significantly improve the customer experience and increase order efficiency.

Why Categories Matter

• Better Navigation: Customers can quickly find specific types of food
• Improved Order Flow: Logical grouping speeds up the ordering process
• Professional Appearance: Organized menus look more professional
• Menu Management: Easier for you to manage and update items

Category Creation Process

1. Go to Menu Management in your dashboard
2. Click "Categories" in the navigation
3. Click "Add New Category"
4. Fill in the category details
5. Save your category

Category Fields Explained

• Name (English): The category name in English
• Name (Arabic): The category name in Arabic
• Description: Brief description of what's in this category
• Image: Optional image to represent the category
• Sort Order: Controls the display order of categories
• Active Status: Whether the category is visible to customers

Organizing Categories

The way you organize your categories can make or break the customer experience. Here are some proven strategies:

Common Category Structures

By Food Type

• Appetizers / المقبلات
• Main Dishes / الأطباق الرئيسية
• Sandwiches / الساندويتشات
• Beverages / المشروبات
• Desserts / الحلويات

By Cuisine Style

• Traditional / التقليدي
• Fusion / المدمج
• Grilled / المشوي
• Fried / المقلي
• Healthy Options / الخيارات الصحية

By Meal Time

• Breakfast / الفطار
• Lunch / الغداء
• Dinner / العشاء
• Snacks / الوجبات الخفيفة

Category Naming Best Practices

• Keep it simple: Use familiar, easy-to-understand names
• Be descriptive: Names should clearly indicate what's included
• Use consistent terminology: Maintain the same naming style throughout
• Consider your audience: Use terms your customers will understand
• Avoid overlap: Make sure categories don't confuse customers

Multilingual Setup

RestoMenu supports both Arabic and English, allowing you to serve all customers effectively.

Arabic Category Names

When creating Arabic category names:

• Use clear, commonly understood Arabic terms
• Avoid direct translations that might sound awkward
• Consider regional Arabic variations
• Test with native Arabic speakers

English Category Names

For English category names:

• Use international food terminology
• Avoid overly complex culinary terms
• Consider non-native English speakers
• Keep names short and memorable

Translation Tips

• Cultural Context: Consider cultural differences in food naming
• SEO Considerations: Use terms people actually search for
• Consistency: Maintain consistent translation style
• Professional Translation: Consider professional translation for important terms

Reordering Categories

The order of your categories affects how customers navigate your menu. Strategic ordering can guide customers toward high-margin items or popular dishes.

Ordering Strategies

By Popularity

• Place most popular categories first
• Use analytics to determine popularity
• Adjust based on seasonal changes

By Profitability

• Lead with high-margin categories
• Place profitable items prominently
• Consider food cost percentages

By Meal Flow

• Follow natural meal progression
• Start with appetizers, end with desserts
• Consider customer ordering patterns

Reordering Process

1. Go to your Categories list
2. Use the drag-and-drop feature
3. Adjust the sort order numbers
4. Save your changes
5. Preview how it looks to customers

Category Images and Branding

Visual elements can make your categories more appealing and easier to navigate.

Image Best Practices

• High Quality: Use clear, high-resolution images
• Consistent Style: Maintain visual consistency across categories
• Representative: Images should clearly represent the category
• Appetizing: Use photos that make food look delicious
• Optimized: Compress images for fast loading

Image Specifications

• Format: JPG or PNG
• Size: 400x300 pixels recommended
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3 works best
• File Size: Keep under 500KB

Testing and Optimization

Once you've created your categories, test them thoroughly:

Customer Testing

• Ask friends/family to navigate your menu
• Observe how they interact with categories
• Note any confusion or hesitation
• Collect feedback on category names

Analytics Review

• Monitor which categories are viewed most
• Track time spent in each category
• Analyze ordering patterns
• Identify underperforming categories

Continuous Improvement

• Regularly review category performance
• Adjust based on customer feedback
• Seasonal updates for relevance
• A/B test different category structures

Remember, your category structure is the foundation of your digital menu. Take time to plan it well, and don't be afraid to make adjustments based on customer behavior and feedback.