How do I price my cakes?

Calculate ingredient costs, add labor time (your hourly rate × hours of work), packaging, and delivery. Apply a 50-70% markup for retail. Research local competitors to stay competitive.

How far in advance should orders be placed?

For simple cakes, 48-72 hours. For custom designs with fondant or elaborate decoration, 1-2 weeks. For wedding cakes, 1-3 months. Always specify this clearly in your catalog.

Do I need a food permit to sell cakes?

In most U.S. states, cottage food laws allow selling baked goods from home with certain restrictions. Check your state's specific regulations. For larger operations, you may need a food handler's permit and a commercial kitchen.

How do I deliver cakes without damage?

Use sturdy cake boxes, non-slip mats on the car seat, and drive carefully avoiding sudden stops. For tall or elaborate cakes, assemble decorations on-site. Include delivery fees based on distance.

Food & Beverages

How to Sell Cakes via WhatsApp

The U.S. bakery market is worth over $65 billion annually. Cakes are a 100% visual product: your customers choose by looking at photos of previous work. A digital catalog organized by occasion turns inquiries into orders.

Why Cakes Sell So Well via WhatsApp

Every celebration needs a cake: birthdays, weddings, quinceañeras, baptisms, graduations. This means constant demand throughout the year. Customers want to see options, ask about flavors and sizes, and customize their order — all of which is natural in a WhatsApp conversation.

Unlike a physical bakery, selling via WhatsApp lets you work from home, manage your time, and reach customers far beyond your neighborhood. A well-organized digital catalog allows customers to browse your creations at any time and place their order with a single message.

5 Tips for Selling Cakes via WhatsApp

Photograph every cake you make

Use a white or marble background with natural light. Take photos before delivery so your catalog stays always updated. Each finished cake is your best advertisement.

Organize by occasion, not by flavor

Quinceañeras, weddings, children's birthdays, baptisms. Your customers search by event type. Create sections in your catalog for each occasion and make choosing easy.

Be clear with sizes and pricing

Publish base prices by serving count (10, 20, 50 servings). Include what's included and what costs extra (custom toppers, fondant figures). Transparency builds trust.

Show the process, not just the result

Share stories of cakes in progress: mixing ingredients, decorating, final touches. This humanizes your brand and shows the value behind each creation.

Ask for advance notice

Clearly indicate the minimum lead time for orders (48-72 hours for simple cakes, 1+ week for custom designs). This avoids last-minute stress and ensures quality.

What Your Cake Catalog Needs

High-quality photos of finished products with consistent lighting

Customization options (size, flavor, filling, decoration style)

Base prices per serving with clear listing of extras

Sections organized by event type for easy browsing

Lead time and delivery zone information

Marea Alcalina lets you create a professional digital catalog with all these features in minutes.

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