Baking is no longer restricted to occasional birthdays, where your skills are called upon to save the day; it is an industry in its own right. Running a bakery means you are managing a big business. Many bakers have shifted their services online to cater to a wider audience. Also, it is the logical way to proceed after the pandemic.
Now is a good time to set up an online bakery. However, the prospect can be daunting, especially if you do not know where to begin. In this article, we will show you how to grow your bakery business online with the maximum chance of success. Read on!
Building an Online Presence
First, you should leverage the advantages of the internet to build a strong online presence. You have to build a website with the help of a trusted website-building company like OrderEm so that your bakery stands out with custom logos, colors, fonts, and branding. Similarly, you must be visible on social media pages like Facebook and Instagram, where you will ideally showcase your bakery’s products and brand.
Ensure that your website is visually appealing, user-friendly, and has a lot of pertinent information about your baked goods. Your social media handles should be catchy, and the pages should reflect the variety of goods on offer, and new products in the pipeline, and be responsive to customer comments and suggestions. Use high-quality cameras to post enticing photos of your bakery’s special offerings.
Build an App for your Bakery
In today’s world of smartphones, it will hurt you if you do not have a dedicated app for your bakery. Research suggests that people spend a lot of time on their phones, and if you can make yourself visible through a custom app, it will do wonders for your business. OrderEm is a trusted App builder for bakeries, and they can custom-build your app with your requisite inputs regarding the theme, color, font, and logo. With the app, you can reach a wider customer base and improve traffic to your online bakery.
Use Search Engine Optimization
Search engine optimization is how your website can be optimized with content to make it rank higher in Google search rankings. As people rarely click on the second page of SERPs, getting your website onto the first page of Google SERPs is vital. To do that, you have to use the relevant keywords, add the right content, and structure the website so that it shows up readily in Google searches.
Optimizing your bakery website will make it easier for potential customers to find you because your website will have more visibility. Local search engine optimization is the way to go, as most people will be looking for a bakery in their vicinity or local area.
Enable Online Ordering
Online ordering is the way forward, especially with younger customers who are technology savvy. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, online ordering has increased exponentially, and you must take advantage of this trend by putting your baked goods up for online ordering and delivery. It will make it much easier for your customers to purchase your delectable offerings and boost your sales considerably. You can partner with online ordering platforms like Grubhub so that it is integrated with your bakery’s social media pages as well as the bakery’s website.
Apart from online ordering, it will be a bonus if you can offer curbside pickup and delivery. It will make it convenient for customers besides allowing your bakery to stay competitive alongside bigger bakery chains.
Create Good Content
If you want to grow your bakery business online, you must be able to create engaging content that is entertaining, informative, and bakery related. You should have a target audience in mind and craft your web content accordingly. You should create blog posts, vlogs, and social media posts with the sole aim of making them exciting and relatable to your audience. Your content has to provide value to the readers and also resonate with them.
Suppose your bakery specializes in birthday cakes. In that case, you can go ahead and create content based on how different cultures celebrate birthdays, what kind of birthday cakes were in vogue earlier, and so on. The online bakery’s popularity will hinge upon how carefully you curate content, and if you find this overwhelming, we suggest you engage the services of a freelance blogger.
Do Email Marketing
Nowadays, email marketing is considered a helpful tool for enhancing the growth of your online bakery. Build a list of emails for existing customers whom you can update about your bakery’s specialties and offer promotions to, as well as keep informed on the latest goings-on at your bakery. Email marketing can also be used to announce the arrival of new products, send discount coupons, and keep customers updated on bakery activities.
Remember that when you employ email marketing, your content must be engaging and valuable to your customers. Also, make it easy for existing and potential customers to subscribe to the email list through links on your website and social media pages.
Consider Partnering with Influencers
If you are concerned about growing your bakery business online, it is a good idea to team up with bloggers and influencers. They have a very large following on social media, and you can exploit their reach to advertise your standout bakery products. You could offer the influencer or blogger a custom hamper from your bakery in exchange for a favorable mention on their page or a review. However, remember that you should choose an influencer based on their suitability for your brand and products.
Promotions and Discounts
Discounts and special promotions are a great way to attract new customers and retain existing ones. You can give discounts on certain baked items, set up a customer loyalty program, or even go for seasonal promos. These special promotions should be marketed on your website and social media channels.
Promotions and discounts on your online bakery will ensure that you are always considered a go-to option when the customer is looking for a good deal. It shows that you offer more bang for your buck and that you are willing to go that extra distance with every order to make it a special purchase in the eyes of your customers.
Use Reviews and Testimonials
Online customer testimonials and reviews can be a meaningful, organic way of growing your bakery business online. If the review is favorable, it will attract new customers and also build bridges of trust with existing customers. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your website and social media channels.
It is equally important to respond appropriately to negative reviews. Responding to negative reviews shows people that you are open to improvement and committed to providing an excellent customer experience.
Conclusion
Setting up an online bakery and making it grow is challenging. However, nothing is impossible if consistent efforts are put into the task. If you are committed to the process and are willing to follow the above suggestions, it will make things much more manageable. It will also ensure that you have a loyal customer base while reaching out to new customers online.