Did you hear about the big issue with some popular commercial baby food brands?
Apparently, some baby foods are tainted with dangerous levels of heavy metals. For now, parents are advised to give babies soft table foods instead of commercially available options. They can also make their own baby food to limit their children’s exposure to heavy metals.
Of course, if you plan on selling food online, you may be thinking, “Well, I have no interest in baby food, so this doesn’t concern me.” However, it would help if you remembered that safety is always a concern with food.
That said, let’s talk about all the things you need to keep in mind if you’re determined to start an online food business.
Know The Rules
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If the question is, “Can you sell food online?” the answer is obviously yes. Anyone can start an online business. You can even sell home-cooked food online if that’s what you want.
Don’t forget, though, that not everyone will take the time to research the rules for starting an online food business. If you fail to do this, you put your customers at risk since there’s so much you can get wrong, from the ingredients you choose to the packaging you pick to the regulations you ignore.
For home-cooked food, following the “Cottage Food Laws” is a must. You also need to secure a business license, government permits, zoning clearance, and other pertinent documents.
Having a food safety plan is also crucial, as is taking courses on food safety. If all these seem too much to take in, consider hiring a food business consultant to help you.
Work With Reliable Business Partners
Besides obtaining a license to sell food online, don’t forget the value of having the best business partners. These include suppliers, packaging experts, and branding consultants.
To work with the best suppliers, check online reviews and take time to check their supply chains and where they source ingredients. Transparency is a priority when dealing with food, as you don’t want to sell foods that are about to expire.
As for packaging and branding, be sure to go beyond shelf appeal. Follow labeling rules to ensure you don’t leave anything out like quantity of contents and manufacturer/distributor/packer information.
Promote Your Business Online
You have a website, and you’ve set up social media accounts for your food business.
Since you’re competing with many online food companies, you have to invest in digital marketing. Of course, you can also do online marketing on your own. You can create a YouTube channel, post recipes on Pinterest, etc.
However, you might find that as your food business grows, it’s more challenging to focus on marketing campaigns. Consider working with a digital marketing agency if you find you don’t have enough time to devote to promoting your brand online.
Selling Food Online: Are You Ready To Become A Food Entrepreneur?
Now that you know the basics of selling food online, do you think you’re ready to launch your food business?
If you need more tips and advice, don’t hesitate to check our other posts. We have articles related to running a food business that might interest you.
