20 hours ago, Tri2Cook said:
You'd think that but wait until you start getting deep into the packaging, shipping and climate control issues that come along with online sales of chocolates. Unless you already have that stuff worked out. I did a little peeking into the shallow end of that pool and decided it wouldn't be worth the headache for what I do. But it is an easier way to potentially reach a larger market at a lower initial investment. I'd just replace "easier to start this way" with "cheaper to start this way".
Shipping in cold weather isn't so bad. It does add cost for a box, bubble wrap, and time to pack and bring to the post office. Shipping in warm weather is a lot trickier. You can add an ice pack but that adds a lot of weight, and you can ship next day air but that's very expensive, especially with the added weight of the ice pack.
If you end up shipping hundreds of packages a month, there are volume discounts with various carriers, or you can have them pick up from your lab.
I usually only get a handful of website orders per month. I have a stash of various sizes small boxes and get free bubble wrap recycled from my SIL's workplace, and with a USPS account, I can create and pay for my shipping label online from home and not have to wait in line at the post office. I did have to drop off orders every day last week, but I'm within 3 miles of 2 different post offices, so it's not too far out of my way.
My main tip is to pack your boxes as full with bubble wrap as possible. The one time I didn't, the box got crushed. I always think of my brothers ordering heavy things like boxes of ammo, I want my bonbons safe even if a heavy box gets thrown on top if it.
If you have any tips on SEO or online customer acquisition, I'd love to read them! I built my own website with Squarespace, it works but there is a lot of room for improvement. Aren't you supposed to imbed keyword into all your photos or something? I'm always curious when someone across the country orders from me. I wonder if they found me by searching, maybe got a gift from someone local or one of the subscription boxes I've worked with? It's kind of exciting, though!
