How to increase online sales for a small home based bakery.
In this article, we will teach you step by step how to increase the online sales of a small home bakery.
- February 2, 2026
- 7 minutes read
Having a home bakery is valuable. However, online selling may seem confusing and difficult at first.
The real problem is not baking skills. Usually, it is visibility, trust, and a clear purchasing process that determine success.
Many bakers post product photos on social media, get likes and views, but do not receive enough orders.
According to e-commerce trend data for 2026, online food businesses that use social media and messaging apps have up to 42% higher monthly sales than those that rely only on simple advertising. This means growth is possible—even from your kitchen.
However, growth, increased sales, and better visibility on social media require a strategy, which we explain fully below.
This guide will help you:
- Get more online orders
- Gain customer trust
- Choose the best sales platforms
- Create a simple sales system
- Find methods that can grow your business in the shortest possible time.
Understand why customers do not buy
Before learning how to increase online sales for a small home bakery, you must understand the main barriers that reduce product sales and customer trust:
Common problems in online businesses:
- Customers do not trust new sellers
- Prices are unclear
- The ordering process seems complicated
- Product photos are low quality
Customers do not buy cakes. They buy with confidence that the cake will be fresh, delicious, and delivered on time.
Therefore, customer confidence in your products is very important for increasing sales.
How to increase customer confidence:
- Reduce doubt and uncertainty
- Make buying easier
- Show real results (such as behind-the-scenes baking videos)
Choose the right sales platform (compare and select the best platform)
You have three ways to present and sell your products:
1. Social media (Instagram, Facebook)
Advantages:
- Free
- Suitable for online businesses
- Quick access to customers
- High income potential
Disadvantages:
- Managing many orders is difficult
- Requires patience and continuous effort
- This is the best marketing method for a small home bakery, and I recommend it.
2. Having a website (Shopify, Wix, WordPress)
Advantages:
- Professional appearance
- Automatic orders
- Increases customer trust
- Improves business credibility
Disadvantages:
- Time-consuming to set up
- Needs traffic
My recommendation:
This method can be very suitable because having a website makes you look more professional and helps customers buy from you with more confidence.
However, if your business is new, you do not need a website from the beginning. But if you can have one, it is excellent.
3. Food delivery apps or marketplaces
Advantages:
- High traffic and increased visibility
- Built-in trust
- Fast exposure
Disadvantages:
- Less control over your brand
- Price competition
This method is the best way to sell products quickly.
My recommended strategy for a new home bakery business:
Start with social media (Instagram, Facebook) + a simple order form (Google Forms or WhatsApp Business).
Then add a website later.
Properly presenting products on social media is one of the best marketing strategies.
Building a strong and professional brand for a business
To increase trust in your business, build a brand. Choose a brand name. You can use ChatGPT to help select a brand name.
Design a simple logo for your brand and print the brand name and logo and place them on your product packaging. This makes customers trust you more and buy your products with greater confidence.
Be sure to try this method. It works very well.
Trust = Sales.
What builds trust quickly:
- Real product photos (not stock images)
- Share behind-the-scenes baking videos on social media
- Customer reviews
- Transparent pricing
- Fast delivery
Pricing strategy:
Example:
Sponge Cake: $24 (Serves 7–10 people, order 20 hours in advance)
Use better product photos
The best way to take product photos with simple equipment and only a mobile phone:
- Natural light such as window light
- Clean and neat background
- One sliced view of the cake or bread
- One full view of the cake
- Take 3 to 5 photos for each product.
- Simple method:
- Take photos near a window
- Use white plates
- Take photos from the top and from the side
Write proper product descriptions
Bad example:
“Chocolate cake with cream.”
Good example:
Chocolate sponge cake with layers of cream and a dark cocoa coating, fresh and delicious. Suitable for birthdays. Baked fresh within 12 hours of delivery.”
Making the order placement process easy and convenient
Best methods:
Method 1: Use WhatsApp Business
- Product catalog feature
- Automated replies
- Labels for orders
Method 2: Use a Google order form
- Name
- Cake type
- Delivery date
- Payment method
Design a form like this.
Method 3: Payment through a website
If you have a website, customers can place orders through the website.
Best setup for beginners:
Instagram → WhatsApp Business → Google Form
This is the best method for new businesses.
Use content that attracts buyers (not just viewers and likes) Best types of content:
- Before-and-after cake videos
- Order packaging process videos
- Customer reactions
- Price list videos
- Limited-offer posts (only 5 of this cake left)
Compare marketing methods
Paid advertising:
Advantages:
- Fast traffic
- Scalable
Disadvantages:
- Expensive
- Requires skill
Organic content (reels, posts):
Advantages:
- Free
- Brand building
- Long-term growth
Disadvantages:
- Requires patience and continuous effort
- You need to post for 1 to 2 months to gain experience
Product discounts:
Advantages:
- High trust
- Low cost
- Faster sales increase
Disadvantages:
- Lower profit
My recommendation:
70% organic content
20% product discounts
10% paid advertising
This balance keeps costs low and sales stable.
Smart pricing (not cheap)
Low prices attract difficult customers and low profit.
Present your product properly and have a competitive advantage so customers choose your products.
Turn one-time buyers into regular customers
Give gifts to previous customers. This gift can be a discount for the next order or a thank-you message.
Final summary: What you learned
Now you know how to increase the online sales of a small home bakery by:
- Building trust
- Choosing the right platform
- Making ordering easy
- Using content that attracts customers
- Correct pricing
- Customer retention
- This method is completely effective and is written based on my own experience.
FAQ:
Question 1: How long will it take for our business to grow?
Most home bakers, if they post consistently and simplify ordering, see significant growth within 4 to 8 weeks. This also depends on your experience in online sales.
Question 2: Do I need a website to start?
No. Start with Instagram + WhatsApp Business. Add a website later.
Question 3: Should I offer discounts?
Only for:
- First-time buyers
- Avoid giving too many discounts to customers.
Question 4: What type of content generates the most sales?
Videos of:
- Cake slicing
- Packed orders
- Customer reactions
- These build trust.
Mohammad Hossein
SEO expert and online business consultant
My name is Mohammad Hossein. I am an SEO specialist and an online business consultant, and here I share my experiences with you.
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