I'm working on my website and I want to put a 'minimum' cake price. Something like- 'cakes start at $50' or '$50 base price for cakes.' I'm in a larger metro area and for a standard cake that is pretty fair. My DH thinks that I shouldn't do that- that I should have that in my head- but that I shouldn't put it on the website- that way people could call and I could talk up why my cakes cost $50 when Costco's cost $16.00.

What are your thoughts?

I'm an advocate of "put the pricing on the website" (otherwise what are you ashamed of?) The internet-mind cruises the web looking for information. Being "forced" to pick up the phone to get information is not part of the plan. This is so old-school sales thinking that it's archaic anymore. The ole 'let's get 'em on the phone and then we'll HOOK 'EM!" theory just doesn't work these days. There's too much information out there.

I've had brides tell me that when they are internet shopping, if the prices aren't on there, they are moving on. They will not be forced into a conversation and they are cautious about putting themselves into a "sales pitch" situation. So those who think having no prices will force the bride / customer to call so you can sales pitch them into accepting whatever you are pricing it at ..... may be very disappointed.

My prices are posted loud and clear. This is also a pre-qualifier for me. The ones who see my prices and agree those prices will work in their budget will call me and I'm half way there. Those whose budgets can't support my pricing will move on and I'm not spending any of my time with someone who isn't going to buy anyway.

You could put your "talk up the diff" between your cakes and Costco's right on your website. Let the website do the work for you! I've seen other threads that had a great paragraph on a website that explained that the cakes were custom designed and made to order and not your run-of-the-mill mass produced grocery store cake. It was a great explanation!

How much time do you want to spend explaining and justifying your pricing? Let the web do the work, so you can spend your valuable time in the kitchen being creative!

Totally agree with indydebbie! They save you a lot of time with people who are not interested in your price point. If people don't have the money, they don't have it. You'd be surprised, though, how many people don't read it. I have a $100 minimum, clearly posted, and there are some who are still shocked. In my mind disclosure saves you time and effort.

I recently redid my website, and posted base prices for all of my products. The response has been very positive. Since the pictures I posted are not "run-of-the-mill" cakes, no one who contacts me is expecting grocery store cakes at grocery store prices.
Go ahead and post your minimum prices; those who contact you already know what to expect...and if they call based on your website, you've got 'em mostly hooked.

Indydebi-very well said! I love your thought process and couldn't agree more. It's the same with any service. I browse the web for everything-supplies, exterminators, clothes, you name it. If something isn't on a website, I'm probably not buying it anyway and if it doesn't have a price, I can move on to one that does. I'm not interested in wasting my time being on the phone for every product I need.

Have to say, I totally agree. For me, if a price is listed, I know there is no haggling, no hidden costs. Whenever I run across a site that says call for pricing - no matter what it is, I move on to another site. I've found with the few times I did call that their prices are usually way out of line with everyone else and I never know if that's what they 'want" or what they expect to get, you know?

However, since cakes are so individualized, I can see how listing a price is tricky. Like basic 8" white/yellow/choco cake with buttercream frosting is $50, specialty flavors add $$, Fondant icing, add $, sugar gum decorations $$, etc.

People may expect a fondant cake with special filling and hand crafted decorations would still be $50 and may not understand that those are all extra as people don't read, but despite that, I still think you are better off listing ball park prices.

Good luck!

Okay- thanks for backing me up there. I'm going to do it then. I think that my product (sugar) is different then his (accounting and tax preparation) so it calls for a different business mindset.

Amber

Oh geesh, you're dealing with one of those accountant types! no wonder! My hubby is a 25 year banker, so I CAN relate!

i got one like that too - he's 'currently' employed as a macro-economist, but his specialty is risk management!!! he used to be an acting actuary, so that's why he's so hard on me for this making a business thing!

Melissa

Had a friend married to a CPA. When she wanted pizza, he'd go thru the "is it a need or a want?" I told her to tell him that she WANTED the pizza because she NEEDED to shove it up his ..... well, you get the drift!"

LOL that is too funny!

Melissa

thank you for all the information. I am trying to design a my web site at this time, so you guys once again answered a question before I even thought to ask. haha

you all are great!!


melody