How to make a free digital menu with a QR code

You can make a free digital menu today without a developer: build a catalog in WhatsApp Business, design a menu in Canva and export it as a PDF, or publish a simple web page, then turn the link into a QR code. Pick the option that fits how your customers order, host the menu somewhere with a stable link, and print a QR code that points to it. Because the code points to a link, you can change prices later without reprinting anything.

Three free ways to make a digital menu

Choose by where your business is right now:

Many businesses end up using all three: the web page holds everything, the catalog receives orders, and the image becomes a social post.

Option 1: the WhatsApp Business catalog

If orders come in through WhatsApp, the menu should live there too:

1. In the WhatsApp Business app, open Catalog from the business tools;
2. Add each item with a photo, name, price and description, such as the main ingredients and how many people it serves. WhatsApp's help page on creating a catalog lists every field;
3. Share the catalog link in your Instagram bio, your status and local groups;
4. During a chat, send specific items straight from the catalog so the customer can build an order without leaving the app.

The full app setup, including quick replies, order labels and automatic messages, is in our guide to using WhatsApp Business to sell.

Option 2: a designed menu in Canva

Canva's free plan includes plenty of ready-made menu templates. Search for "menu", then:

• Swap in your own text, prices and colors;
• Use real photos of your dishes, taken in natural light, instead of the template's sample photos;
• Export a PDF for your QR code and for printing, and an image for posts and stories;
• When a price changes, edit the design and export it again in a couple of minutes. No more menus corrected with a pen.

Option 3: your own page, and where to host your menu

A simple page on your own address, such as menu.yourbusiness.com or yourbusiness.com/menu, can hold the menu, a WhatsApp order button, your address, hours and social links. You get a professional link that shows up on Google, and you do not depend on any one platform. If online orders become a real part of the business, the next step is in our guide to starting an online store.

These are free places where a menu can live:

• WhatsApp Business catalog. The catalog link is the menu;
• Google Drive. Upload the PDF and share it with "Anyone with the link". To update it, upload a new version of the same file (Drive's "Manage versions" option) so the link stays the same;
• Google Sites. Google's free website builder is enough for a one-page menu. Google's Sites help covers the basics;
• Canva. A design can be published as a simple web page on a free Canva address. Check Canva's help center for the current limits;
• Your Google Business Profile. Food and drink businesses can add a menu link, or build a menu inside the profile, so people who search for your restaurant see it at once. Google explains the menu options, and our guide on showing up on Google Maps covers the rest of the profile.

What to put on a digital menu

• Item names, grouped in clear sections such as starters, mains, drinks and desserts;
• A price on every item, in your currency;
• A one-line description with the main ingredients and the portion size;
• Dietary tags such as vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free, and any allergens. The rules on what you must show vary by location, so ask your local health department;
• Photos of your real dishes, at least for the items you most want to sell;
• Opening hours, your address and the exact way to order, such as a phone number or a WhatsApp link;
• An "Updated on" date, so customers know the prices are current.

Turn the link into a QR code for tables and the counter

1. Generate a free QR code that points to your menu link, whether that is the catalog, a hosted PDF or your page. On a computer, Chrome can do it for any page: open the menu, choose More, then Cast, save, and share, then Create QR code (Chrome's help page shows the steps). Any free static QR generator works too;
2. Test it with different phone cameras before you print anything;
3. Print it large, with a call to action such as "Scan to see the menu", and laminate it or use an acrylic table stand;
4. Point the code at a link, then change what sits behind that link. That way you update the menu without reprinting. Avoid generators that make "dynamic" codes through a trial account, because some stop working when the trial ends;
5. Keep a few printed menus for guests who prefer paper. Good service is about the customer, not the technology.

Mistakes that cost you orders

• Outdated prices online. They cause arguments at the register and erode trust. Update the menu the same day prices change;
• Stock photos that do not match the real dish. Guaranteed disappointment and a bad review;
• A heavy PDF that takes forever to open on mobile data. Compress it before you publish;
• A broken link behind the table QR code. Test it every week, and check that nobody has stuck another code over yours;
• No way to order. Every format should end in a clear action, such as "Order on WhatsApp: [link]". A menu that does not lead to an order is just a nice photo.

With the menu live, the next decision that moves your margin is whether to run your own deliveries or use delivery apps. Our guide on own delivery versus delivery apps walks through it.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest way to make a digital menu?

The WhatsApp Business catalog. It is free, easy to update and built into the channel where customers already order. For a restaurant table, a well-designed PDF or a simple web page opened through a QR code also works well.

How do I make a free QR code for my menu?

Many online generators create free static QR codes for a link. Point yours at the menu link, test it with a phone camera and print it large. Chrome can also create a QR code for any page from its share options.

Do I need a delivery app to have a digital menu?

No. A digital menu is independent of delivery apps. It can point to your own WhatsApp, where you take orders without paying an app's commission.

Sources: WhatsApp Help Center: how to create and maintain a catalog · Google Business Profile Help: about the menu editor · Google Chrome Help: share pages with a QR code · Google Sites Help: how to use Google Sites