Are You Ready to Sell Your Food Online? A Website Comparison
Are You Ready to Sell Your Food Online? A Website Comparison
We know how exciting (and a little overwhelming) it can feel when you finally decide to sell your food online. Many of us start out at farmers’ markets, pop-ups, or even selling to friends and neighbors—but at some point, the question comes up: Should I build a website?
The short answer? Yes.
A website not only makes your business look more professional, it also allows you to take orders in advance, get paid upfront, and give your customers an easier way to find you after they’ve tasted your food at an event. It builds trust and opens doors to opportunities you can’t get just selling in person.
But the real question is: what kind of website is right for you?
That’s what we’re diving into here—a real, honest comparison of platforms food entrepreneurs are using to sell online. We’ll share our experiences, concerns, and what to think about when choosing your own path.
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Why Selling Online Matters
Many of us start with markets and events because they’re fun and they connect us to our local community. People remember our faces, they trust us after meeting us in person, and they’re more likely to order from us again later.
But here’s the catch: if you don’t have your food available online, you’re missing sales the moment you step away from your booth. That means lost opportunities for repeat orders and growth.
When we show up online with a website, we instantly look more legitimate, and we give our customers a way to stay connected even after the market is over. It’s about building trust, keeping your food business visible, and making sales 24/7.
The Problem With “Contact Forms”
One of our biggest pet peeves when researching food business websites was this:
“Fill out this form and we’ll get back to you.”
Ouch.
That creates friction and frustration for both sides. Customers today expect to browse, click, and order instantly. If they’re hungry or excited, they don’t want to wait 48 hours for an email reply.
That’s why having a proper ordering system built into your site is so important—it removes barriers and makes the experience seamless.
Why This Matters for You
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your passion into something bigger, we hope our story encourages you to take that leap. A cottage food business can be the perfect stepping stone. It allows you to start small, learn the ropes, and grow at your own pace—all while doing something you love.
We’ve gathered these 30 insights to save you time, money, and stress. They’re practical, honest, and grounded in real experience.
Comparing Food Website Options
We’ve tested and researched different platforms that food entrepreneurs are using right now. Here’s what we’ve found:
Bakey
Designed for cottage bakers and home food businesses.
Low cost, easy to set up, and includes online payments.
Downsides: limited design flexibility, cookie-cutter templates, and no strong lead generation tools (like pop-ups for coupons or email capture).
Product images often appear very small, which doesn’t do your food justice.
If you just need something simple and affordable, Bakey might work. But if you want to build a brand, showcase your personality, and grow your customer base long-term, you’ll probably outgrow it quickly.
Shopify
Popular for food businesses selling packaged items like spices, jams, or snacks.
Tons of integrations, customization, and tools for scaling.
Higher learning curve and monthly costs, but great if you’re serious about e-commerce.
Custom Website Templates (like the ones we use)
Tailored for food entrepreneurs, so they’re built with your needs in mind.
Include order forms, lead capture, and branded design to help you stand out.
Gives you more control over customer experience and marketing.
What to Think About Before Choosing
When we talk about building food websites, it’s not just about selling today. It’s about:
Lead generation: capturing emails so you can market to potential customers later.
Customer experience: making ordering easy, clear, and fast.
Brand identity: creating a site that reflects who you are and why your food is special.
Scalability: choosing a platform that can grow with your business.
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. But if we want to stand out, build trust, and keep our businesses sustainable, we have to think bigger than just showing up at markets or waiting for Facebook messages.
We all want our food businesses to thrive—and a website is one of the best ways to get there. Whether you start small with a platform like Bakey, build something more robust on Shopify, or invest in a template designed for food entrepreneurs, the important thing is to get started.
Our customers are looking for us online. Let’s make sure they can find us, order easily, and come back again and again.
So the real question is: are you ready to sell your food online?
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