Set up your digital menu in 5 minutes. Step-by-step guide from account creation to live QR menu. No technical skills needed.
Set up your digital menu in 5 minutes. Step-by-step guide from account creation to live QR menu. No technical skills needed.
# Getting Started with EasyMenus
Get your restaurant's digital menu live in 5 minutes. This guide walks you through every step.
What you'll need:
- Smartphone or computer
- Your current menu (printed or digital)
- 5 minutes
## Step 1: Create Your Account (2 minutes)
### Sign Up
- Go to easymenus.xyz/signup](https://easymenus.xyz/signup))
- Enter your email address
- Create a password (8+ characters)
- Click "Create Account"
Or sign up with:
- Google account (one click)
- Facebook account (one click)
### Verify Your Email
- Check your email inbox
- Click the verification link
- You'll be redirected to your dashboard
Didn't receive email?
- Check spam folder
- Wait 2-3 minutes (sometimes delayed)
- Click "Resend verification email"
### Complete Your Restaurant Profile
You'll see a welcome screen asking for:
Required information:
- Restaurant name
- Restaurant type (café, pizzeria, fine dining, etc.)
- Location/address
Optional (can skip for now):
- Phone number
- Website
- Opening hours
- Logo upload
Pro tip: You can add this information later. Click "Skip" to get to menu setup faster.
## Step 2: Upload Your Menu (3 minutes)
You have three options. Pick the one that works for you:
### Option A: Scan Your Printed Menu (Fastest)
Best for: Restaurants with existing printed menus
- From your dashboard, click "Scan Physical Menu"
- Take a photo of your menu with your smartphone
- Hold phone steady
- Ensure good lighting
- Capture full page clearly
- Upload the image
- Our AI automatically extracts:
- Menu item names
- Prices
- Descriptions (if present)
- Review and correct any mistakes (AI is 95% accurate)
- Click "Confirm"
Time: 3 minutes for a typical menu
Screenshot reference: See "Upload Menu" screen with AI-powered recognition
### Option B: Upload Menu Images
Best for: Restaurants with menu photos already
- Click "Upload Menu Images"
- Select images from your device
- JPG, PNG, or PDF accepted
- Multiple images OK (one per page)
- Upload
- AI extracts content (same as Option A)
- Review and confirm
Time: 2-3 minutes
### Option C: Create Menu from Scratch
Best for: New restaurants or major menu overhaul
- Click "Create New Menu"
- Click "+ Add Category" (e.g., "Appetizers", "Main Courses")
- Click "+ Add Item" within each category
- For each item, enter:
- Item name
- Price
- Description (optional)
- Dietary tags (vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.)
- Upload item photo (optional but recommended)
Time: 5-15 minutes depending on menu size
### After Upload: Quick Menu Review
Regardless of which method you used, review your menu:
Check these:
- ✓ All prices correct
- ✓ Item names spelled correctly
- ✓ Descriptions accurate
- ✓ Categories organized logically
- ✓ Dietary information included (if applicable)
Common issues after AI scan:
- Prices with decimals sometimes read as "1250" instead of "12.50" → Fix manually
- Similar item names may merge → Separate them
- Descriptions may be incomplete → Add details
Don't worry about perfection: You can edit anytime. Get it live first, perfect it later.
## Step 3: Customize Your Menu (Optional, 2 minutes)
### Basic Customization
Menu Name
- Give your menu a name (e.g., "Main Menu", "Dinner Menu", "Drinks List")
- Shows at top of customer's screen
Menu Description
- Add a short description (optional)
- Example: "Fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Updated daily."
Currency
- Defaults to USD ($)
- Change to £, €, or other currencies in Settings
Language
- Primary menu language
- Auto-translation available to 40+ languages
### Advanced Customization (Skip for now, come back later)
Branding (Pro Plan)
- Upload your restaurant logo
- Choose brand colors
- Custom fonts
Menu Template
- Choose from 5 pre-made templates
- "Modern", "Classic", "Minimal", "Bold", "Elegant"
Allergen Information
- Add allergen warnings to items
- Enable allergen filter for customers
## Step 4: Generate Your QR Code (30 seconds)
### Create QR Code
- Click "QR Codes" in left menu
- Your menu appears in dropdown (if you have multiple menus)
- Select menu: "The Old Plough" (example)
- QR code generates automatically
Screenshot reference: See "QR Code Generator" screen
### Customize QR Code (Optional)
Style:
- Square (default)
- Rounded corners
Color Presets:
- Classic Black
- Ocean Blue
- Forest Green
- Warm Orange
- Easymenus Red
- Dark Mode
- Or choose custom colors
Size & Format:
- Small (business card size)
- Medium (table tent)
- Large (poster)
- Extra Large (window display)
Pro tip: Classic Black is most reliable for scanning. Fancy colors look cool but sometimes scan slower.
### Download QR Code
- Click "Download QR Code"
- Choose format:
- PNG (for printing)
- SVG (for professional design)
- PDF (ready to print)
What to download:
- Table tents: Medium PNG
- Window poster: Large PDF
- Business cards: Small PNG
- Website: SVG
## Step 5: Print & Place Your QR Codes (5 minutes)
### Printing Options
DIY Printing (Cheapest)
- Print downloaded PNG/PDF on regular printer
- Use cardstock paper (thicker than normal paper)
- Laminate for durability (optional)
- Cost: ~$0.10 per QR code
Professional Printing
- Upload PDF to online printer (Vistaprint, Moo, etc.)
- Order table tents or stickers
- Delivered in 3-5 days
- Cost: $0.50-2.00 per QR code
Our Recommendation:
Start with DIY. See if customers use it. Order professional prints once you know it works.
### Where to Place QR Codes
Table Tents (Most Important)
- One on every table
- Stand upright, visible
- Text: "Scan for Menu"
- Replace weekly if damaged
Window Display
- Large QR code visible from outside
- Text: "View our menu - Scan here"
- Attracts walk-by customers
Counter/Register
- For takeaway customers
- While they wait in line
- Text: "Browse menu while you wait"
Receipts/Business Cards
- Add small QR code
- Encourages return visits
- Takeaway bags/boxes
## Step 6: Publish Your Menu (Click one button)
### Make It Live
- From dashboard or Menu Editor, click "Publish"
- Confirm: "Yes, publish menu"
- Menu is now live (immediate)
What happens when you publish:
- QR codes become active (start working)
- Menu accessible via link
- Changes go live to customers
- Analytics tracking starts
Before publishing checklist:
- ✓ All prices correct
- ✓ Menu organized logically
- ✓ At least 1 photo (recommended)
- ✓ Restaurant info complete
- ✓ Test QR code yourself
### Test Your Menu
Scan your own QR code:
- Use your smartphone camera
- Point at QR code
- Tap notification that appears
- Menu should load in 2-3 seconds
Check these:
- Menu loads quickly
- All items visible
- Prices display correctly
- Images show properly (if uploaded)
- Categories organized well
- Text is readable on mobile
Common first-time issues:
- Menu shows as "Unpublished" → Click "Publish" button
- QR code doesn't scan → Re-download and reprint
- Menu loads slowly → Compress images (Settings → Menu → Optimize Images)
## Step 7: Train Your Staff (5 minutes)
Your staff needs to know how to help customers with digital menus.
### Quick Staff Training Script
"We now have digital menus. Here's how they work:"
- Customer scans QR code on table
- Use phone camera (no app needed)
- Tap notification that appears
- Menu loads on their phone
- If customer asks for printed menu:
- "Of course, here you go" (hand them backup printed menu)
- We keep 10-15 printed menus for this
- If customer can't scan QR code:
- Ask: "Is your camera on?"
- Show them: Point camera at code, tap notification
- If still doesn't work: Give them printed menu
- If customer asks questions about menu:
- Answer as normal (digital menu doesn't change your job)
- They can filter by dietary needs (vegetarian, etc.)
- They can translate to their language automatically
That's it. Simple.
## You're Live! What's Next?
### Immediate Next Steps (First Week)
Day 1-2: Monitor Customer Adoption
- Watch customers using QR codes
- Ask for feedback: "How's the digital menu working?"
- Fix any obvious issues immediately
Day 3-5: Optimize Menu
- Add item photos (if you haven't yet)
- Improve descriptions
- Add allergen information
- Organize categories better
Day 6-7: Check Analytics
- See which items customers view most
- Notice any items never clicked
- Check peak viewing times
### First Month Goals
Week 1:
- ✓ Menu published and working
- ✓ Staff trained
- ✓ QR codes on all tables
- ✓ Test with real customers
Week 2:
- Add professional photos (or good smartphone photos)
- Complete all item descriptions
- Set up dietary filters
- Add seasonal specials
Week 3:
- Review analytics data
- Adjust menu based on customer behavior
- Test different QR code placements
- Gather customer feedback
Week 4:
- Optimize high-traffic items
- Remove items nobody views
- Update pricing if needed
- Consider upgrading to Pro Plan
## Common Questions After Setup
"How do I update prices?"
- Go to Menu Editor
- Click item → Edit → Change price
- Click "Save" → Changes live immediately
"Can I hide an item temporarily?"
Yes. Menu Editor → Click item → Toggle "Visible" off. Item hidden but not deleted.
"How do I add daily specials?"
- Create "Daily Specials" category
- Add today's special
- Remove tomorrow when it changes
- Takes 30 seconds
"What if I run out of an item during service?"
- Pull out phone
- Open Menu Editor
- Hide that item (toggle off)
- Customers stop seeing it immediately
"Do I need to republish after every change?"
No. Once published, all changes go live automatically when you save.
## Need Help?
Still stuck on setup?
Ready for advanced features?
## Upgrade to Pro
Free Plan is great for:
- Single-location restaurants
- Testing digital menus
- Basic features
Upgrade to Pro when you need:
- Multi-location menu management
- Advanced analytics
- Custom branding (your logo, colors)
- Priority support (4-hour response)
- Real-time inventory sync
Compare Plans →
## Version Control
- Version: 1.0
- Date: 29 October 2025
- Format: Step-by-step setup guide
- Estimated completion time: 5 minutes (basic), 15 minutes (comprehensive)
- Target audience: New EasyMenus users, zero technical knowledge assumed