The problem with PDF menus
- They’re fiddly on phones. Pinch, zoom, scroll sideways. Many people give up and look elsewhere.
- They’re slow. A PDF with photos can be several megabytes, which takes a while on a weak mobile signal.
- They go stale. Updating means re-exporting and re-uploading a file, so the online menu drifts away from what’s in the cabinet.
- They’re harder for search engines. Text on a normal web page is the simplest thing for search engines to read and match to searches like “gluten-free brunch near me”.
What a good menu page has
- Real text, in sections. Breakfast, lunch, cabinet, drinks. Short descriptions and prices.
- Dietary labels. GF, V, VG, DF, with a key. People with dietary needs often choose where to eat on this alone.
- A note on what changes. “Cabinet changes daily” is honest and saves you from listing every slice.
- Hours right next to it. Including public holidays and seasonal changes, matching your Google Business Profile.
- One tap to directions. A map link that opens in their maps app, plus a line on parking.
- Ordering links if you use them. Online ordering or table booking, linked from the menu itself.
Keeping it up to date
Keep it simple enough that changing a price takes a minute, or hand it to whoever looks after your site. Change your Google Business Profile hours whenever you change the site.
Still want a PDF?
Keep one for catering or functions if you like, as an extra download. Just don’t make it the only way to see what you serve.
Want a café site with a proper menu page?
We build café websites with the menu, the hours and the way in front and centre. Homepage design within 24 hours, live in 72 hours. See our café websites or look at a café design study.