Glossary
Every term. One clear definition.
NFC, digital menu, self-ordering, link in bio - and more. No fluff, just what you need to know.
Technology
NFC (Near Field Communication)
A short-range wireless standard (up to ~4 cm) that lets two devices swap data instantly - no pairing, no app, no friction.
NFC Tag
A tiny, battery-free chip with an antenna coil that stores data - typically a URL - and wakes up only when a phone gets close.
QR Code
A 2D image code scanned by the phone camera that opens a URL - requires pointing the camera at the code.
QR vs NFC
Two ways to get from a physical object to a digital page: QR is scanned visually by camera, NFC is read by proximity; both land on the same page and work best together.
Save Contact / vCard
An action that adds the card owner's details straight to the phone's contacts, using the standard vCard file format.
PWA (Progressive Web App)
A website that behaves like an app - loads in the browser with no app store install, and can be added to the home screen.
NDEF
The standard data format for NFC tags, defining how information like a URL is encoded so any compatible phone reads it consistently.
Tap to Pay
Contactless payment made by bringing a card or phone close to a terminal, using the same NFC proximity technology that reads tags.
Restaurants
Digital Menu
A browser-based menu displayed on the diner's own phone instead of a printed one - updated instantly from anywhere, no reprint needed.
Table Self-Ordering
A flow where diners order - and sometimes pay - directly from their phone at the table, without waiting for a server to take the order.
POS System
The point-of-sale system where orders are recorded, payments processed, and invoices generated.
POS Integration
A technical connection between an external system (like a digital menu) and the POS, so a digitally received order is automatically recorded in the POS.
Profiles
Link in Bio
A single hub page that collects all of a business's links, used as the one URL that appears in a social media bio.
Digital Business Card
A digital version of a business card with contact details and links, shareable by tap or scan and saveable directly to the phone's contacts.
Leads
Enquiries from potential customers who leave their details via a form or digital button, forwarded to the business for follow-up.