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Today, not many among us can spend an entire day without diving into a hot cup in the morning. A heavenly shot of morning caffeine buzz has become such an everyday staple that it’s difficult to imagine life without it.
Also, as a result of the pandemic, many online coffee businesses are currently thriving. People still have to perform well every single day, and coffee helps them through it all. Besides, most people can’t spare any extra time to brew coffee at the start of the day. So, they quickly head off to work, making one quick stop at their favorite coffee shop.
However, wouldn’t it be better if someone was to deliver such a beverage to them? Right when they need it the most? Hence, there’s an opening for everyone who revels in preparing warm, creamy, and uplifting drinks. By catering to such passion, you can combine work and pleasure. According to Yurii Brown, Certified Barista and Founder of Coffeegeeklab.com: “The best online coffee vendors offer the convenience of delivering a hot cup of joe right to their customer’s doorstep. This option alone is enough to make people consider changing their morning routines. At least according to statistics.”
So, there’s a lot of potential in starting an online coffee shop today. Many budding businesses stick to the vision of quality and manage to climb to the top. If you are looking for some pointers on this topic, we got you covered. Next, let’s share some tips and tricks.
Lay the Groundwork
Deciding the Product
Before you dive into the complexities, you need to lay some groundwork, starting with the niche of your business. When it comes to coffee beans, there are thousands of varieties available. Hence, you need to keep a clear focus on what you want to sell. You can go for quantity, but it is better to stick with a few classics. That approach works best until your business takes off. Some of the most popular types of coffee beans are:
- Arabica
- Robusta
- Liberica
- Excelsa
Once you have gained some traction, you can start thinking about expanding the menu. Steadily, introduce new flavors and break some new grounds.
Finding a Vendor
A label coffee roaster is probably the most important step after settling on a concept. Coffee roasters are generally private companies that provide you with the product along with packaging, ready for you to start selling. However, more than one brand takes part in this. In practice, at least two sides play a specific role. The first is tasked with sourcing, while the other governs packaging and distribution.
Before signing up for anything, you should make sure that the roaster shares your enthusiasm. They should be able to provide you with big or small orders under reasonable deadlines.
Who Do You Want to Sell To
The next thing on the list is figuring out your customers. An online business doesn’t mean you should only target individual coffee consumers. Instead, try and sell your product to restaurants and cafés as well. Once you establish a network, you can then determine the packaging and sizing accordingly.
Make Your Brand
Whether directly or indirectly selling your products, you need to build a brand identity that sets you apart. Coming up with a name, designing a creative logo, and tailoring the content are the first things to do. After that, you can move on to the product’s packaging and fine-tune every inch of the presentation.
For the name, you should come up with a meaningful yet catchy tag. It should be easy to remember and fun to pronounce. An attractive logo is also a must. The right combination of coffee associations goes a long way here.
The rest of the theme could go along the same lines. If you are selling to individual consumers, go for a more ‘homely’ look. Locals should instantly recognize your product and look forward to tasting it. However, selling to other businesses requires a different touch. In that case, you can skip the glitz and the glamour and strive for professionalism.
Open an Online Store
To place your product, you must have a platform. You could set up your website or sell on popular e-commerce platforms such as:
- Shopify
- Amazon
- Etsy
Whatever you decide to go with, it should be easy and intuitive to use. It is better if the website is to the point and effortless to navigate. Too much clutter and excess information can throw a customer off.
Also, keep pace with the times. Nowadays, people use their phones more than anything. So, make sure your app is compatible with as many devices as possible. The goal here is to deliver an excellent customer experience by providing convenience at every point. Additionally, ensure that your site is secure, as users will be putting in their info during checkout.
Marketing
Lastly, you should know how to market your brand. Having a strong social media presence and posting ads is the key to gaining recognition. You can start a blog to get the word out there and further promote your brand. Another great way to divert attention is to offer deals and discounts. People relish an opportunity to save on something they are using every single day. So, coffee as an end-product is an excellent anchor point for such a move. In the long run, this calculated risk may turn in some hefty revenue.
Closing Thoughts
Getting your online coffee business started means you’ll have to pay your employees regularly very soon. Check out the paystub creator today and get your paystubs created in 5 minutes! Also, you do need to have a clear goal regarding your products and target audience in mind. Additionally, you also need to develop marketing strategies that will position your brand higher.
In any case, strive to find passion in what you’re doing. Once you get that down, success is likely to follow. If you keep it up, your brand may become synonymous with ‘good coffee’.