How to promote your digital menu on Instagram and WhatsApp and start taking orders

You created the digital menu. The link is live, the QR Code generated. And now?

Now begins the part that decides whether the menu will generate orders or be left without access. The tool exists — but it only works if people know it exists.

This post is a promotional plan for the first week. Run one point a day and by the seventh day you will have distributed the link to all the right channels.

Day 1: Instagram Bio

The link in bio is the only clickable link on Instagram outside of ads. It's the most visited place on your profile — and it should point to the menu, not the generic website.

How ​​to configure:

1. Access your profile → Edit profile
2. In the "Website" field, paste the digital menu link
3. In the bio, add a line drawing attention to the link:

🍕 Full menu with prices → link in bio

Test: open your profile on your cell phone and click on the link. The menu should open in less than 3 seconds.

Extra tip: If you use Linktree or similar, put the menu as the first item, before any other link.

Day 2: Stories with the direct link

Linked Stories are the most direct traffic channel from Instagram to your menu. A well-made Story can generate dozens of hits in just a few hours.

Story template that works:

• Photo or video of your most appetizing dish
• Overlaid text: "Our full menu is live 🔥 See everything with prices and order directly"
• Link sticker pointing to the menu
• On-screen CTA: "Drag up" (or "Click on the link")

Do this at least once a week, not just at launch. Stories disappear in 24 hours — anyone who didn't see it today didn't see it.

Content variations to recycle:

• "Dish of the day" story with link
• Behind-the-scenes kitchen story with link at the end
• Exclusive promotion story ("today only: 10% discount for orders via the link")
• Customer testimonial story with link

Day 3: Automatic message on WhatsApp Business

Every time a new contact sends a message, they should receive the menu link automatically. Without depending on anyone being online.

How ​​to configure on WhatsApp Business:

1. Menu → Business Tools → Greeting Message
2. Activate the option and edit the text:

Hello! Thank you for contacting [Restaurant Name]. Here is our complete menu with updated prices: 👉 [your menu link] Did you place your order? Send me here and I'll get back to you in no time!

This eliminates the main bottleneck: a customer who said "hi" and didn't respond for 5 minutes.

Day 4: QR Code on delivery packaging

Every order that leaves your restaurant is an opportunity to bring the customer back. The QR Code on the packaging does this work silently.

How ​​to apply:

• Small round sticker (4–5cm): cheaper, works on bags and boxes of any shape
• Printed on the kraft bag: if you already customize packaging, add the QR Code to the layout
• Paper tag attached to the order: for those who don't want to change the packaging, a simple tag will do the trick

The customer saves the QR Code for the next order. Those who order once and see the QR Code are much more likely to order directly the second time — without going to the marketplace.

Suggested text next to the QR Code:

Scan to see our menu and order directly 📱

Day 5: QR Code on tables and counter

For restaurants with a lounge, the QR Code on the table scans the in-person menu and also captures the contact details of those who are having lunch.

Practical formats:

• Table display (acrylic or plasticized paper): more durable, stays permanently on the table
• Adhesive on the table: cheap, easy to change, works on wooden and granite tables
• Totem at the counter: for those ordering takeout or waiting at the counter

Positioning that works: place at eye level of the person sitting, not on the table where it can be covered by glasses and plates. The top corner of the display or a vertical position near the salt shaker are ideal.

Day 6: Google My Business

Anyone who searches for your restaurant's name on Google or Maps sees the information panel — address, hours, phone number, reviews. This panel has a specific field for the menu link.

How ​​to add:

1. Access your profile onGoogle My Business
2. Go to "Edit profile" → "Contact information"
3. In the "Menu" field, paste the digital menu link
4. Save and wait for approval (usually in less than 24 hours)

After that, anyone searching for your restaurant will see the menu link directly in the search result. It's free traffic from people who were already looking for you.

Day 7: First campaign on WhatsApp for those who have already requested

If you have contacts of customers who have already ordered before — whether via WhatsApp or by registering —, the seventh day is the time to communicate the launch of the digital menu directly to them.

Launch message (manual sending or broadcast list):

Hi [Name]! We have news: our digital menu is live! 🎉 Now you can see all our dishes with photos and updated prices, place your order and send it to us directly via WhatsApp. Access here: [link] And to start: use the coupon DIGITAL10 and get 10% off your next order. Valid until [date].

The coupon is not mandatory, but it greatly increases the click-through rate and the first order through the direct channel.

What to monitor in the first week

After performing the 7 steps, follow:

• Menu access: how many people opened the link
• Where did they come from: Instagram, WhatsApp, Google or QR Code
• Order rate: how many hits became orders
• Orders via direct channel vs. marketplace: the proportion should start to balance

This data is available on the Quickap dashboard in real time.

The most common error in advertising

Post the link once and hope customers find it on their own.

The digital menu needs consistent dissemination, not a single launch post. The rule of thumb: every week there must be at least one Story with the link, and every order that goes out must have the QR Code.

Releasing a digital menu is not an event — it is a habit.

Create my digital menu and start promoting →