How do you test and evaluate the effectiveness of your menu typography?

1 Conduct a visual scan

One of the simplest ways to test your menu typography is to conduct a visual scan. This means looking at your menu from a distance, as if you were a customer, and noticing what catches your eye, what stands out, and what blends in. You can also ask someone else to do the same and compare notes. A visual scan can help you identify if your menu typography is clear, readable, and consistent, and if it highlights the most important or profitable items.

2 Use a heat map tool

Another way to test your menu typography is to use a heat map tool. A heat map tool is a software that tracks and displays where people look on a screen or a document. You can use a heat map tool to analyze how your customers scan your menu, where they focus, and where they skip. A heat map tool can help you optimize your menu typography for eye movement, attention, and engagement.

3 Collect feedback from customers

A third way to test your menu typography is to collect feedback from your customers. You can do this by conducting surveys, interviews, or focus groups, or by using online platforms that allow customers to rate and review your menu. You can ask your customers questions such as how they felt about your menu design, how easy it was to read and understand, how appealing it was, and how it influenced their ordering decisions. Collecting feedback from customers can help you understand their preferences, expectations, and satisfaction.

4 Compare with competitors

A fourth way to test your menu typography is to compare it with your competitors. You can do this by browsing their websites, social media, or physical menus, and analyzing their typography choices. You can also ask your customers or potential customers to compare your menu with your competitors' and tell you which one they prefer and why. Comparing with competitors can help you benchmark your menu typography against industry standards, best practices, and customer demands.

5 Measure your sales performance

A fifth way to test your menu typography is to measure your sales performance. You can do this by tracking and analyzing your sales data, such as the number of orders, the average check size, the profit margin, and the popularity of different items. You can also conduct experiments, such as changing the typography of certain items or sections and observing the effects on sales. Measuring your sales performance can help you evaluate the return on investment of your menu typography and identify areas for improvement.

6 Test and iterate

A sixth way to test and evaluate your menu typography is to test and iterate. This means that you should not settle for one design, but rather try different variations and combinations of fonts, colors, sizes, and layouts, and test them using the methods mentioned above. Testing and iterating can help you find the optimal menu typography that suits your culinary concept, your target audience, and your business goals.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?