Do you want to start a homemade cookie business with low investment? Find here a detailed business plan guide to starting a cookie business from home.
Most people prefer cookies. And it is always better if anyone can purchase delicious and good quality cookies from home.
If you are a passionate cookie maker and want to start earning out of your passion, this business is just perfect for you. Also, you can initiate the business with a small investment.
Additionally, homemakers, housewives, and moms can earn extra money from this part-time business. However, any individual can earn his or her living from this business.
10 Steps To Start a Home-Based Cookie Business
1. Learn to Make Cookies
If you are already an expert in making cookies then it is great. If not, you can take classes for getting the skill and knowledge. Additionally, you can read several books with delicious cookie recipes.
There is also another option. You can procure the cookies from others. From any other individual who can make delicious cookies at home. And you can sell those cookies with your company brand name and from your site.
2. Select your Niche
Determine your target audience. You must identify a niche. As you are starting with low capital investment, you can’t cater to a wide range of consumers. Additionally, there are thousands of reputed brands in the market. And anyone can buy cookies from stores or bakeries. So, you must create something special that people can’t find in traditional bakeries.
3. Write a Business Plan
Take some time off and start writing the business plan for your cookie business. Aspects like products, where you are going to sell, pricing strategies, financials, and a marketing plan must be included in your plan document.
Some of the basic topics your cookie-making business plan must address are as follows:
- Initial and recurring costs
- Target customers
- Pricing plan
- How do you plan your cookie items?
4. Check Legalities
First of all, check the licensing and tax liabilities of your area. It depends on the location where you are operating the business. As this is a food item, You must be careful about specific licensing the business demands.
5. Select a Business Name
Selecting a relatable business name goes a long way toward the long-term success of any business. It holds true for the home-based cookie businesses too. Do not forget to check that the selected name is not already trademarked.
Read: How to Name Your Business? Step-By-Step Guidelines
6. Register your Cookie Business
Registering your business under an appropriate business structure is essential to running a hassle-free home-based cookie business. Every country and state offers different types of business structures based on the size and scale of the business entity. Select the one that fits you best.
For example, if you are from the United States, one of the most popular business structures that most serious small owners prefer is LLC. It not only protects your personal assets from business ones but also helps in the smooth annual filing of taxes. You can form an LLC of your own or hire a reputed registered business formation agent to do the job.
7. Make Good Packaging
Packaging is an important aspect of every product-based business. You must try unique but durable packaging. Additionally, you will need to have the arrangements for bulk packaging.
8. Pricing of Cookie Items
Pricing is another important aspect. It is easier to attract consumers by underpricing. However, it is not good in the long term. However, you can offer your consumers good quality products with competitive pricing. Additionally, you can offer discounts for bulk purchases or party purchases.
9. Go Online
You must buy a domain name that relates to your cookies business. That is the most important aspect of starting your online cookie business. A relevant domain name always helps to get a better position in search engines.
Additionally, you have to purchase an eCommerce solution for your business. There are several companies that provide small online shop platforms with payment integration.
Related: How to Create an Online Store
10. Promote Your Cookie Business Online
You can’t sell your cookies if you can’t sell your brand. Make sure that everything about your brand looks professional. And you must have a solid plan for how you will effectively communicate with your customers about your latest offerings.
You must promote your business online. One of the effective ways is social media. You can promote your products on Facebook, Pinterest, etc.
Additionally, you can sell your cookies from other online marketplaces. Just sign up for seller registration.
You must have a blog on your website. Craft useful and informative content for your users there.
Related: Low-Cost Ways To Promote Your Business
Promote your cookies that are festival-specific. Such as Christmas cookies, Valentine’s cookies, etc. Additionally, you can find out numerous options to promote your cookie business online. Happy baking!
Editorial Team at 99BusinessIdeas is a team of experts led by Rupak Chakrabarty with over 25 years of experience in starting and running small businesses. Started in 2010, 99BusinessIdeas is now one of the largest free small business resources in the industry.
