While it is wise to have a website for potential Buyers to research your brand and find more information about your Farm, it is more important to build a streamlined eCommerce shopping experience first to fuel sales. Prospective Buyers can access eCommerce from email, social media, QR codes and your website. But, before you rush to build a website, consider how you intend to sell your products, your packaging and pricing, your inventory availability and fulfillment options.

Beef is regularly consumed by many Americans on a consistent basis - it is a staple for many households. When selling Beef products direct to consumer, it is crucial for Farmers to understand best practices to attract orders and meet Buyer expectations. Understanding the purchase habits of consumers can help increase sales and ensure your Farm can move all parts of the cow.

Before you announce your online Farm store to your entire community, it is wise to ‘soft launch’ it to trusted Buyers to receive their input on the shopping experience. Gather friends and family that you trust to give you honest feedback, and give them access to shop your products prior to your public announcement of the store.

Whether you sell meat online or in-person to wholesale or retail Buyers, direct sales are convenient for your customers and the business. Buyers want to know how their food is grown and access to an easy shopping experience. Build an independent Farm brand that aligns with your values and mission, and manage sales without a middle man.

Ahead of your initial launch and prior to each season, it is important to review your Farm store to ensure you have implemented best practices that will attract Buyers and be simple to maintain. Keep your product inventory limited to make it easy for customers to shop, with convenient fulfillments to access your goods. Make your Farm shopping experience consistent, so Buyers know what to expect, trust making a purchase from you and are encouraged to continue shopping with you.

Many websites lack thoughtful design. Thankfully, we’ve written up what to avoid and included best practices to help you attract more customers to your website.