Building better menus: a complete workflow guide

title: 'Building better menus: a complete workflow guide' description: 'Step-by-step guide to creating effective digital menus — from planning your content strategy to deploying across multiple displays.' date: '2026-01-12' slug: workflow author: alex thumbnail: /content/assets/help/workflow-thumb.svg thumbnailAlt: Menu workflow guide thumbnail heroImage: /content/assets/help/workflow-hero.svg heroImageAlt: Step by step workflow diagram tags:

• getting started
• menus
• workflow draft: false

Creating an effective menu display isn't just about throwing products on a screen. This guide walks through a complete workflow for building menus that engage customers and drive sales.

Phase 1: Plan Your Content Strategy

Before diving into the dashboard, think about:

What do you want to highlight?

• Daily specials or promotions
• New arrivals
• Staff picks
• High-margin products
• Seasonal items

Who's your audience?

• First-time visitors who need guidance
• Regulars looking for deals
• Medical patients looking for specific effects

Where will the display be located?

• Entry area (first impressions, popular items)
• Counter area (upsells, quick purchases)
• Waiting area (education, brand story)

Phase 2: Organize Your Products

With your strategy in mind, set up your product catalog:

Step 2.1: Add Products

1. Navigate to Products
2. Click Add Product
3. For each product, include:
   • Clear product name
   • Strain information (if applicable)
   • Product type
   • All available sizes and prices

Step 2.2: Create Strategic Collections

Build collections that support your goals:

To create a collection:

1. Go to Collections → Create Collection
2. Give it a compelling name
3. Add relevant products
4. Write a brief description (shown on some themes)

Phase 3: Design Your Menu

Now build the actual menu experience:

Step 3.1: Create Your Menu

1. Navigate to Menus → Create Menu
2. Name it descriptively (e.g., "Main Floor - Day Menu")

Step 3.2: Add Content Pages

Add pages in the order you want them to rotate:

Example Menu Structure:
├── Page 1: "New This Week" collection (15 seconds)
├── Page 2: Promo video (30 seconds)
├── Page 3: "Staff Picks" collection (20 seconds)
├── Page 4: "Top Sellers" collection (20 seconds)
└── Page 5: Brand/welcome image (10 seconds)

Step 3.3: Set Page Timing

Consider attention patterns:

• Product pages: 15-25 seconds (enough to scan, not too long)
• Media pages: Match your content (full video length for promos)
• Info slides: 8-15 seconds (less to read = shorter duration)

Phase 4: Upload Media

Great media elevates your menu:

Image Guidelines

• Resolution: 1920×1080 minimum for HD displays
• Format: JPG, PNG, or WebP
• Style: Clean, well-lit product photos

Video Guidelines

• Format: MP4 with H.264 codec
• Resolution: 1080p recommended
• Duration: 15-60 seconds ideal
• Audio: Consider that displays may be muted

To upload media:

1. Go to Media Library
2. Click Upload
3. Select your files
4. Wait for processing to complete

Phase 5: Deploy and Test

Step 5.1: Link Your Device

1. Install the Trikome app on your TV
2. Note the 4-digit code
3. Go to trikome.co/link
4. Enter the code and select your menu

Step 5.2: Review the Display

Watch at least one full rotation and check:

• All pages display correctly
• Text is readable from viewing distance
• Images aren't stretched or cropped oddly
• Timing feels natural
• No technical issues

Step 5.3: Get Feedback

Ask staff members:

• "Is anything hard to read?"
• "What questions do customers still ask?"
• "What would make this more useful?"

Phase 6: Iterate and Improve

Your first menu is a starting point:

• Track what works: Notice which products get more attention
• Update regularly: Refresh content weekly or with inventory changes
• Seasonal updates: Adjust for holidays, events, or promotions
• A/B test: Try different collection orders or media

Quick Reference

Need Help?

• Having technical issues? See Troubleshooting
• Questions about media formats? See Video Format Guide
• Still stuck? Contact Support