If you love plants, then this home business is for you. So many of us frugal stay at home moms want a business that works well with our kids’ schedules. Creating an online plant delivery service is one of those flexible home business ideas. Moms can sit in the comfort of their home and make money online.
Work will still have to happen, for money to be made, but no checking in to a 9-5 job. Many year’s ago with my first son I worked a job that required me to be there 9 to 5. After five years, I started my own residential cleaning company. That’s why I love to point moms in the direction of working from home. Missing out on the everyday parts of their childhood is hard.
Creating an online plant delivery service is easy, but a knowledge of plants is important. So before starting any business, research ALL of the products and know them.
Online Plant Delivery Service
First, before starting an online plant delivery service is deciding how plants will be sourced. What kind of plants will you sell, and how will you get them? Answering these two questions is very important. Knowledge of the plants you are selling is important. For instance, if succulents are easy for you to grow, or obtain through sourcing they may be the avenue to focus on.
Next, after deciding what plants to sell is deciding on where you will obtain the plants, or grown your own. If you grow your own, a plan needs to be in place. Either they will be grown in a greenhouse during colder months, or a special room set aside. Depending on where you live will depend on the option taken.
If you decide to purchase plants and be a resource for specific plants, then speaking with local nurseries is part of the business plan. A set of questions and pricing needs to be in place prior to the online selling. All ducks need to be in a row before the first sale.
Online Selling Options for Frugal Moms
Most online selling avenues will be opened through a social media marketing plan or online website. Research for online selling and marketing is a must for this plant sales to grow. In person selling can also be a way to market for an online site. Setting up a booth in local craft fairs or plant sales can get the word of mouth referrals started.
Meeting and speaking with people in person is always helpful to grow a business. Word of mouth is free marketing for frugal moms. Customers like to do business with people they know and trust. Facebook Market place is another good networking option for online selling.
Showcase Plants to Sell
First, taking good pictures of the plants that will be sold is a high priority. The first photos should be of just the plant with good lighting. Other pictures can include staging designs and colorful backgrounds. Letting the customer see exactly what they are purchasing with clear photos is a good way to make sales.
Next, write a description so well that there are no questions. Tips for a good description are: include the actual size the plant will be, and good, accurate care instructions. Nothing is worse than receiving a plant where I followed the directions and it dies. For that reason, I would offer some follow up for good customer service reviews. If someone who knows nothing about plants has a question, ideally giving them 30 days of follow up help is good.
Finally, set the prices fairly. No need to price gouge. Plants sales and repeat customers will keep the business running smoothly.
Research Delivery vs. Shipping to Customers
In addition to all of the other advice in this post, package research costs are necessary. Having a very good understanding of how much it will cost to ship verses delivery will save on undue expenses. Couriers’ are another way to get a package of plants delivered.
Prior to the start up date, set aside to time to research the various delivery options and shipping costs. Creating a chart to see which will benefit the business the most will give a better vision. Setting goals both financial and concrete for the online plant business is a good path to success.
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Hi Michelle
Great post. I found your site at think tank Thursday and was curious as it’s a topic I’ve been working on. I recently became a SAHM, which is even more looed down on in the UK if you can believe it! Budgeting has become a focus of mine too and I thought you might be interested in this
http://mrsdbliss.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/food-budgeting-part-1-developing-pantry.html
I think the writing down everything you spend idea is a fantastic one and I’m going to find an old notebook and do that; we do it for diets after all don’t we? Why not a money diet 😉
God bless
Thanks so much for linking up at the Lovely Ladies Linky. I love this post. It’s easy (for me anyway) to get my priorities mixed up, but staying at home with my kids is the best decision I’ve ever made.