The coffee industry is booming, and it isn’t slowing down anytime soon. In fact, Statista found that the industry adds a gross value of £690 million to the UK GDP. However, opening a coffee shop can come with a long list of expenses, so at-home coffee businesses are perfect for those looking to break into the market without breaking their budget.
With lower startup costs and a more flexible schedule, starting a coffee business from home is the way to go for new coffee entrepreneurs. If you’re looking to start your coffee business from home, here’s how to get started…
Establish Your Market
Before you even start selling coffee, you need to determine who you’ll sell coffee to. Will you only be marketing to individuals? Or will you also be working with local shops? Different audiences have different needs, so be sure to map out your audience ahead of time.
Solo shoppers may gravitate toward bags of coffee beans, whole or ground, that they can use at home, while larger cafes may be looking for larger quantities they can grind daily. It’s important to have options here since different coffee lovers prefer different flavours and types of brews. Having a handful of things to choose from will allow you to appeal to a larger audience.
Map Out Your Products
As a coffee business, there are plenty of routes you can take for your product line. Will you be offering cups for a Keurig? Coffee-brewing accessories? Bags of beans? Conduct market research before making any decisions to figure out what your audience is looking for. Then, you can create your product line around their unique needs.
Work on Your Brand
Good coffee and high-quality products are essential, but you won’t be meeting your sales goals if your brand itself isn’t just as polished. From your name to your logo to your branding, you need to ensure your business is visually appealing. Develop your story as well, so you can relate to customers on a more personal level.
It’s often best to work with a marketing professional here, so you can rest easy knowing your brand is well-developed and something your audience will gravitate toward. Think about the adjectives you want to be described as and work your way up from there. For example, a fun-sided brand may have brighter colours and language, while a modern brand may work with a monochrome colour palette and more sophisticated vocabulary.
Develop Your Online Assets
Once your branding is set in stone, you’ll want to focus on developing your website and social media platforms. Your website will be the place you sell all of your products, so it needs to be user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing. In addition, you should make it easy for customers to add items to their cart and checkout. Take a look at what each coffee business website needs here.
On top of your website, you’ll also want to talk to a social media manager about managing your different platforms. Determine where your audience is spending time online and create a strategy for showing up consistently on these networking sites. Make sure your branding remains cohesive whenever and wherever you’ll be sharing content about your business.
Create a Business Plan
Though this one may take the most time and effort, it’s vital if you want your coffee business to be successful. Before sharing any products, work on creating a solid business plan. Determine your pricing, overall goals, and a concrete timeline for when you want to go live. Know that your business plan may change in the future as your business continues to grow and develop.
Secure Your Suppliers
The right supplier can make or break your coffee business. That’s why it’s crucial not to cut corners here — take your time and only work with a supplier who works well with your overall mission and values. It’s okay to talk to multiple before determining which one is the best fit for your business. The last thing you want is to establish a working relationship with someone you can’t depend on.
Dive Into Marketing
Once your business is truly established, it’s time to spread the word. Posting on social media, attending networking events, and starting a loyalty program are great ways to break out into your community. You’ve worked incredibly hard to establish your business - so don’t be afraid to tell people about it.
Appreciate Your Customers
Remember that you wouldn’t be able to own a thriving business without the support of your loyal customers. As you continue to build your at-home coffee business, find different ways to show your audience your appreciation. Whether this is offering discounts or simply finding creative ways to say thank you, they’ll appreciate getting to know you and seeing how grateful you are.
Looking for the best coffee gear to sell in your business? Coffee Hit is your go-to for the best brewing accessories and equipment. Start a trade account with us today to wow your customers from the very beginning!
