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Whether you’re selling cake or cupcakes, it’s important to settle all the terms upfront with your client. This will help you avoid customers changing, postponing and/or cancelling orders.
Also, ask them if they’re okay with your minimum order amount. This will save you the hassle of chasing them down later to get their contract signed and deposit paid.
Customization
In the ideal world, a customer orders a highly customized cake and you bake it exactly how they want it. But with the reality of back-of-house staff forgetting the details of a complex or expensive order, or customers canceling their orders at the last minute, you need an online submission form to streamline the process.
The form should ask for basic information like the wedding theme or style, rough budget, date and number of guests. It should also allow the submitter to list any preferences or special requests. Some cakers ask for a design sketch at this stage, while others prefer to wait until the customer has accepted the quote before creating one.
Use Jotform’s drag-and-drop Form Builder to customize your cake order form template with additional fields and a bakery logo. Then, integrate with a secure payment gateway like Square or PayPal to accept payments automatically and eliminate transaction fees. Keep all customer data in a single place with Jotform integrations, and get your custom cake orders ready to go in no time.
Pricing
One of the most important things to ask a custom cake customer is how much they want to spend. This can help you determine whether the order is worth your time, or if you should decline it. This question can also be helpful for setting your minimum cake price. If you have a price point that is too low, it may discourage potential customers.
Another important question to ask is if the customer wants any special fillings or frosting. These can increase the cost of the cake, so you should give them a clear estimate before they place their order.
You should also ask them if they will be able to pick up the cake, or if you will have to deliver it. This can help you decide if you need to charge an additional delivery fee. It can also help you plan your schedule and make sure that the cake is ready by the required date.
Delivery
If you are making a cake for delivery, it is important to ask the customer where they would like the cake delivered. This will help you determine if you need to charge for transportation or if you can make an adjustment to your price. It will also help you understand if you need to make the cake extra sturdy or if it can be made in advance.
It is best to place the order at least one week in advance, especially if you are ordering a large cake. This gives the bakery time to work their magic and ensures that your cake will be perfect. It will also help if there are any hiccups, such as the bakery running out of ingredients.
If you’re looking to boost your bakery’s sales, consider using a customizable Cake Order Form to accept orders online. This free template allows customers to select a cake flavor and filling, upload photos, and list special instructions. Submitted orders will be stored in your Jotform account, easily accessible by you and your staff.
Payment
For larger events that require a consultation and tasting, a deposit may be required to lock in pricing. This is also the time to discuss any rental fees, like cake stands and vintage china display items, for which a refundable deposit might be taken.
After the deposit is collected, it’s a good idea to have the customer sign a contract, detailing the payment schedule, delivery details and any other relevant terms and conditions. This ensures both parties have a clear understanding of what is expected of each other and can avoid any confusion or disputes down the road.
Jotform makes it easy to collect and process custom cake orders online with a variety of secure, reliable payment methods. Use our drag-and-drop Form Builder to customize your Cake Order template, then integrate with over 30 trusted payment gateways to keep your inventory and cash flow in sync.