Getting Started
Preparing for Your First Order
Before your first order lands, make sure your pickup windows, lead time, and slot capacity are realistic, your payment method is ready, and your packaging is sorted. When an order comes in you accept it, prepare it for the pickup window, and hand it off — and your full address is shared with that buyer only after you accept.
The first order is exciting — and much smoother when your setup is ready for it. A short pre-launch pass on pickup, payments, and packaging means your first customer gets a great experience.
Get your pickup logistics right
Confirm your pickup windows, set a lead time so buyers can't book before you can prep, and add a slot capacity if you can only handle so many orders per window. The full how-to is in setting up local pickup.
Make sure buyers can pay
Being visible isn't the same as being orderable — you need a payment method ready. Decide between card checkout and Pay at Pickup (a Pro option) in online checkout vs. pay at pickup.
The accept-to-handoff flow
- An order arrives in your dashboard — review and accept it
- Prepare and package the order for its pickup window
- Hand it off at your pickup spot during the window
- Follow up with a thank-you and invite a review
Have packaging and labels ready before launch so your first order isn't a scramble. A tidy, labeled handoff makes a strong first impression.
Ready to confirm everything's in place? Run the full launch checklist.
List your cottage food business
Create a free storefront, take local orders, and get discovered by buyers near you.
Frequently asked questions
What actually happens when I get an order?
You receive the order in your dashboard, accept it, prepare it for the chosen pickup window, and hand it off. If you enabled address privacy, the buyer sees your exact address only after you accept.
Explore the marketplace
Related guides
Selling Online
Setting Up Local Pickup for Your Food Business
Set up smooth local pickup for your homemade food business: choosing pickup windows, a safe handoff spot, clear instructions, and reducing no-shows.
Selling Online
Online Checkout vs. Pay-at-Pickup
Compare online card checkout and pay-at-pickup for your homemade food business: pros, cons, no-show risk, fees, and when to offer each (or both).
Getting Started
Your Cottage Food Launch Checklist
A complete launch checklist for new cottage food sellers: exactly what's required to go live, what you need to accept orders, and the recommended steps that win buyers.