"I need a website with online ordering."
A woman who bakes custom cakes at home wrote to me. All her orders came through Instagram, but she felt that a real business needed a real website. She had a budget and was ready to start.
the website I didn't build
The most useful thing I've done for a business so far was talking the owner out of hiring me. Here's what happened.
the request
what the questions showed
How do orders come in today?
All through Instagram messages. Mostly regulars and their friends. Not one customer had ever asked for a website.
What annoys you the most?
Answering the same questions all day - prices, flavours, delivery dates. That was the real problem, and her customers were already on Instagram.
What would a website change?
Honestly - nothing. People already found her and already trusted her. The problem was repeated chats and lost time, not visibility.
what I recommended instead
-
1
A price list where customers already are
A pinned Instagram highlight with prices, flavours and delivery terms - the answers to most questions before they're asked.
-
2
A Google Business profile
Photos, hours, location, reviews. Free, and it shows up when locals search for cakes nearby.
-
3
Saved replies
Template answers for the questions that still come in. Minutes to set up, hours saved every week.
what it cost
One evening. No budget spent.
We set it all up in one evening. She kept her money, the repeated questions dropped, the orders didn't. When she opens a real storefront and actually needs a website - she knows who to call.
Not sure whether you need a website?
Ask me. If you don't need one, I'll say so - and it costs you nothing.
start a conversation →