How to Start An Online Food Business

When the pandemic hit, many chefs turned to Instagram and Facebook to sell their dishes. These platforms were handy at first but soon fell short due to the complexities of running a food business.

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Chefs faced challenges with secure payments, business growth, professional presentation, and reliable order management—issues these platforms weren’t built to solve.

Selling on social media wasn’t sufficient for home chefs and food entrepreneurs ready to grow their online businesses. They needed a better solution to overcome these obstacles.

🔗 Read: Laid-off chefs are using Instagram for income during the pandemic

That’s where Cookin steps in, providing a secure, easy-to-use platform that simplifies online selling, transforming your home food business into a thriving online restaurant.

Discover the 5 steps to start selling food online with Cookin.

1. Choosing the right platform

Starting an online food business is like setting up your kitchen for the first time: the tools you pick are crucial. Social media platforms might seem handy but often fall short of serious business needs due to their:

Lack of customization: You’re stuck with generic layouts that don’t let your brand shine.
Limited professionalism: It’s hard to stand out and look professional among casual content
Scalability issues: Growing your business on these platforms can be like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

Here’s why Cookin stands out:

Ease of use: Don’t worry about coding; setting up shop is as simple as chopping vegetables
Specialized features: Tailored specifically for food creators, helping you to manage menus, orders, and customer interactions smoothly
24/7 support: Our team is always on standby to assist you and your customers, ensuring your online restaurant runs without a hitch
Focus on your passion: With the technicalities handled, you can pour all your energy into cooking and growing your business

Cookin is designed for food entrepreneurs who are ready to transition from hobbyists to professionals, providing all the right tools to make this shift seamless and successful.

2. Curating your menu and pricing

Your menu is the story of your creation.

It’s not just a list of dishes; it’s the heart of your food business, showcasing your unique flair and your restaurant’s identity. But striking the perfect balance between captivating menu descriptions and competitive pricing can be a tricky art.

That’s what the Cookin Support Team is all about.

They’re ready to dive in and help you polish your menu and tweak your prices, making sure everything looks irresistible to your customers.

Take inspiration from Fikar Fahd’s journey with Java Bali Kitchen.

🔗 Read: Maclean’s article ‘I couldn’t see a future as a gay man in Indonesia, so I sought asylum in Canada’

He was all about the love of cooking but didn’t know much about running a food business. With a little help from Cookin, he managed to turn his passion into a booming success. Today, he is a shining example of success on the Cookin platform!

“I even have an employee now, and selling 40-50 meals a day always puts smiles on our faces.”

– Chef Fikar, Java Bali Kitchen

3. Streamlining order management and logistics

Managing orders, handling deliveries, and keeping track of inventory are big challenges for food creators, especially when you’re stuck with old-school methods or jumbled systems. This chaos not only eats into your time but can also lead to errors that disappoint customers and hurt your business.

Say goodbye to sticky notes and endless DMs. With Cookin, managing an online food business becomes effortless, all from one comprehensive platform. Guess what? You can also choose your own fulfillment type, and delivery or pick-up method, and let customers pre-order and much more!

“I’ve been with Cookin for 1 year, and it made me so much more organized, cost-efficient, and creative.”

– Chef Olenka, Sabor Peruano

4. Building a strong brand

For food creators, your brand is more than just a name. Building a unique and compelling brand identity is crucial to stand out in the bustling online marketplace.

With Cookin, we offer customizable food ordering websites that capture the essence of your kitchen’s warmth and promotional materials crafted to share your unique story. Cookin is here to help food creators carve out a strong online presence, making your brand recognizable to food lovers everywhere. If you already possess an exceptional website, you can effortlessly integrate your Cookin Ordering page URL, seamlessly connecting the operational Cookin page with your existing web platform.

“Baking is my passion, and I always dreamed of starting my own business, but the thought of it was pretty intimidating. Right from the start, Cookin was a key part of my launch plan. They made it super easy for me to jump in and turn my baking passion into a full-fledged business.e been with Cookin for 1 year, and it made me so much more organized, cost-efficient, and creative.”

– Chef Patricia, Patreats

5. Marketing your food business

Last but not least, let’s get the word out. In today’s digital age, effective marketing is the secret sauce to reaching hungry customers far and wide and the cherry on top of your food business sundae. With Cookin, you get the cherry, the sprinkles, and the whipped cream, offering tools to make your marketing efforts as effective as possible.

🔗 Read: Social Media Marketing for food businesses (with visuals!)

Cookin doesn’t just leave you to figure it out alone; we offer a full pantry of marketing tools and personalized support to amplify your voice. With resources, blogs, and personalized marketing support, we’re here to ensure your culinary creations get the spotlight they deserve.

Wrap up

Embarking on the journey from social media selling to becoming a food entrepreneur is filled with exciting challenges. With Cookin as your partner, you’re equipped with everything you need for a successful online business: