Adding high-quality photos to your online menu is crucial for boosting sales, improving customer experience, and building a strong online presence.
It’s a simple yet powerful way to take your restaurant to the next level.
Visual Appeal Increases Sales:
Photos turn a boring text-based menu into something mouthwateringly tasty-looking.
Studies show that menus with photos can increase sales by up to 30% because photos make dishes more appealing and help customers visualize what they’re ordering.
Quality photos can lead to customers ordering more expensive items or adding additional items to their orders.
Better Customer Experience:
When customers decide what to order, photos give them a better idea of each dish and what it looks like. They can pick something that looks delicious rather than guessing.
This visual information makes it easier for them to choose which can lead to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Builds Trust:
High-quality food photos showcase your restaurant’s professionalism and commitment to quality.
Customers are more likely to trust a restaurant that takes the time to present its food appealingly. This builds trust and encourages them to try your dishes.
Increase Social Media Engagement:
Social media is a powerful tool for promoting your restaurant. Sharing mouthwatering photos of your food on Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms can generate excitement and attract new customers.
It’s a great way to build a following and keep people engaged with your takeaway.
Menu Clarity Minimizes Mistakes:
Misunderstandings and order errors can be costly for both you and your customers. Food photos eliminate confusion by clearly showing what each dish looks like. This reduces the chances of customers ordering the wrong item and ensures they get exactly what they expect.
Competitive Edge:
Adding food photos to your online menu gives you a significant edge over your competitors who don’t have food photos.
It makes your restaurant more appealing, memorable, and trustworthy, attracting more customers and boosting your revenue.
Supports Upselling:
Tempting photos can entice customers to add extra items to their orders. Seeing a delicious side dish or dessert can be hard to resist, leading to increased sales and higher average order values.
How Much Will It Cost to Take Quality Food Photos?
The good news is that you don’t need to spend a fortune on professional photography. With a smartphone, some simple editing software, and a few tips, you can take stunning food photos yourself.
There are plenty of free and affordable editing apps available, like Snapseed or VSCO, that can help you enhance your photos.
Taking Quality Food Photos for Online Menus with Your Smartphone:
Tools you’ll need:
- Smartphone: Most modern smartphones have cameras capable of taking high-quality photos.
- Natural Light: Utilize natural light whenever possible. It creates a more appealing and realistic look compared to artificial lighting.
- Simple Editing Software: Free or low-cost editing apps like Snapseed or VSCO can enhance your photos. You might not even need any of this with good natural lighting.
- Solid Background: A plain, uncluttered background helps the food stand out.
Process:
Preparation:
- Cleanliness: Ensure your dishes and surrounding area are spotless.
- Plating: Arrange the food aesthetically on the plate. Consider height, colour, and texture.
- Lighting: Position your food near a window or outdoors for natural light. Avoid harsh shadows.
Shooting:
- Focus: Tap on the screen to focus on the main subject, usually the food itself.
- Angles: Experiment with different angles – overhead, side view, close-up – to showcase the dish’s best features.
- Composition: Use the rule of thirds to create a balanced and visually appealing image.
- Multiple Shots: Take several photos from different angles and distances to have options.
Editing:
- Brightness & Contrast: Adjust to enhance the food’s natural colours and details.
- Cropping: Remove unwanted elements and improve composition.
- Sharpening: Sharpen the image slightly for a crisper look.
Tips:
- Styling: Add props like silverware, napkins, or garnishes to create a more inviting scene.
- Background: Use a neutral-coloured backdrop or a textured surface for visual interest.
- Consistency: Maintain a consistent style and lighting across all your food photos.
- Storytelling: Capture the essence of the dish and the restaurant’s atmosphere.
Photo Dimensions & Resolution:
- Online Menus: Aim for a resolution of 1000-1500 pixels on the longest side. File size should be around 50-100 KB for faster loading.
- Facebook Posts: Ideal dimensions are 1200×630 pixels. Keep file size under 2 MB for optimal performance.
Additional Resources:
Remember, practice makes perfect! Experiment, have fun, and capture the deliciousness of your food in stunning photos that will entice your customers.
Conclusion:
A picture is worth a thousand orders, and adding photos to your online menu is simpler than you think. Give it a go, and watch your customers eat with their eyes and order with their wallets.
Ready to up your online ordering game? You can add food photos to our online system that turns your menu into a visual feast!
Try our online ordering system with food photos for free. See all the features included.