Productive families: starting to sell from home

The productive families category is for people who make or prepare their products at home: food and sweets, handicrafts, perfumes and incense, and handmade goods. The difference between an account that sells occasionally and one that builds a customer base is presentation and consistency.

Start with a small, well-made range

Do not list twenty items on day one. Start with three to five you have fully mastered and keep their quality constant. Consistent quality creates repeat demand, and matters far more than variety early on.

Photography is your storefront

Homemade products sell with the eye first. Shoot in daylight on a calm-coloured surface, and present the product the way it will actually reach the customer. Avoid over-styling that makes the delivered item look different.

• A clear photo of the complete product.
• A photo showing realistic size or quantity.
• A photo of the packaging as it will be delivered.

Write the details people ask about

• Ingredients, especially potential allergens.
• Exact quantity, weight, or size.
• Preparation time needed before collection.
• Delivery areas or pickup location.
• Shelf life and storage instructions for food items.

Reliability builds reputation

With homemade products, lateness loses customers fastest. Set a realistic preparation time and stick to it, and do not accept more orders than you can handle in peak seasons. One satisfied customer returns and recommends you — the cheapest marketing there is.

Keep your orders organised

Keep a simple order log: name, item, quantity, delivery date, and amount. As orders grow this record becomes essential to avoid mistakes and to see which item is genuinely worth expanding.

Finally, review the regulatory requirements for your activity — especially for food products — before scaling up.