A few months ago, I started thinking carefully about why our business wasn't making more money. It just seemed like no matter how hard we tried, we just couldn't turn a profit. Fortunately, a friend of mine suggested evaluating our shipping procedures. It didn't seem like the logical decision at the time, but since he was a successful business owner, I decided to listen to his advice. After carefully evaluating things, I realized that we really did have a few lags in our system. We went through and carefully reconfigured a few things, and it was amazing to see how much of a difference our changes made. Within a few weeks, we were able to speed things up and reduce lost packages. Read this blog to learn more.
Running a bakery business has many challenges. Choosing the right location and business model are only the beginning steps of opening up a bakery. Here are two important aspects you should consider when you are establishing and getting your business going.
Select the Right Packaging
One of the most important things about creating a successful product is the presentation of your bakery items. It is a common saying that customers shop with their eyes, especially when looking for a sweet treat, and the way you present your dessert items can help them to look even more delicious.
When your customers purchase bakery items, don't stuff them into a paper sack where they disappear from view. Box up their purchases in an appropriately-sized window box so your customer can see the item or items inside as they leave your business.
For example, you can use a custom cupcake-sized box for a single cupcake purchase or a larger box to fit one-half or a full dozen cupcakes. Larger packaging boxes can be fit with cardboard spacer inserts to separate the items to prevent them from smashing together. Cake pops can be sold in an appropriately-sized window box with an interior base with holes cut for each cake pop stick to hold the pop upright inside the box.
Packaging is especially important when your customer is buying the bakery items as a gift for someone else. The receiver of the gift may be more inclined to be a future customer if they are pleased with the packaging along with the items inside. This is also important if you are providing a delivery service of your items to the customer. In such a case, you may actually want custom corrugated boxes to ensure everything stays intact. The way the package looks and being able to see the items inside the window of the box can make it look more visually appealing and increase their satisfaction with their purchase.
Choose and purchase your packaging boxes and other supplies from a reliable supplier who can provide you with a good selection of colors, sizes, and packaging materials at an affordable price.
Provide Popular Products
The bakery products you offer to your customers are also an important part of your business success. If the packaging looks attractive but your bakery items don't have a good flavor or aren't part of a variety of options, your customers may not return. Provide an assortment of flavor creations, including fresh fruits, chocolate and mocha, yogurt, coconut, and maybe even bacon.
As it is important to cater to every taste preference, it is also important to consider dietary restrictions that are becoming more common today. Gluten-free products are becoming more widely available in restaurants and grocery stores, as the diagnosis of celiac disease has increased. One percent of Americans have celiac disease today, which accounts for one out of every 133 people. One percent may seem like a small percentage of customers to cater to until you consider the actual number of customers this means for you.
Along with offering gluten-free bakery items, it is important to also provide organic products, dairy-free options, and maybe even a few vegan items as well. You never know what food preferences or needs your customers may have, so it can be helpful to cater to several different common preferences.
It can also be a good idea to offer beverages of many types for your customers to combine with their order. Offering drinks, such as chocolate milk, coffee, juice, and soft drinks, can increase your sales if you offer a beverage to complete each customer order. You can make many of the beverages available in bottles for single purchases, then brew coffee and make hot chocolate fresh each day.
Share25 May 2017
