Build Your Online Cake Shop With Modern E-Commerce Tools

Modern e-commerce tools make it easier than ever to sell custom cakes online. With the right setup, you can create professional order forms for customers to select flavors, sizes, and designs, upload reference photos, and even calculate complex pricing automatically.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to build a successful online cake business. We’ll cover choosing the right platform, setting up customizable product pages, managing orders, and implementing secure payment processing. You’ll see how WooCommerce’s product options help handle the unique requirements of cake shops, from delivery scheduling to design customization. 

Choose the right platform for your online cake shop 

Your first step is selecting the right e-commerce platform for your online cake business. Each option offers unique features that cater to different business needs, from customization options to ease of use.

1. WooCommerce/WordPress

WooCommerce, a plugin for WordPress, is a highly flexible option that allows full control over your online store. It’s free to start, though you’ll need to cover hosting, domain, and extension costs.

Pros:

• Fully customizable with endless design and functionality options
• No transaction fees, offering cost efficiency as your business scales
• Extensive plugin library, including Advanced Product Fields for additional functionality

Cons:

• Requires some technical know-how for setup and maintenance
• Hosting and security management are your responsibility
• Can become expensive with premium themes and extensions

2. Shopify

Shopify offers an all-in-one hosted solution with plans starting at $29/month plus transaction fees (or without transaction fees if you use Shopify Payments).

Pros:

• Easy to set up with a user-friendly interface, ideal for beginners
• Reliable hosting and security are included
• Access to a large app marketplace for added features

Cons:

• Limited customization unless you upgrade or use paid apps
• Additional transaction fees for third-party payment gateways
• Less flexibility compared to open-source platforms like WooCommerce

3. Weebly

Weebly is a budget-friendly option with plans starting at $6/month.

Pros:

• Simple drag-and-drop interface
• Good for basic online stores with minimal technical requirements
• Built-in tools for selling digital and physical products

Cons:

• Limited design and customization options
• Fewer advanced e-commerce features compared to WooCommerce and Shopify
• Transaction fees apply, and performance can lag with large product catalogs

For this guide, we’ll focus on WooCommerce due to its flexibility and powerful customization capabilities, perfect for the unique needs of cake businesses.

How to build product pages for your online cake store

Creating product pages in WooCommerce is simple and flexible. Here’s how to set up your first product:

1. Go to Products → Add New. 
2. Enter your cake’s name and description.
3. Add high-quality photos in the Product Image and Gallery sections.
4. Choose Simple Product for standard cakes or Variable Product for customizable options like size or flavor.
5. Under Attributes, create options (e.g. Size: Small | Medium | Large) and click on Used for variations. 
6. Generate combinations under Variations and set prices for each.
7. Assign categories (e.g. Custom Cakes) and tags to improve searchability.
8. Review your settings and click Publish to make your cake live.

This setup allows for easy product management while offering personalized options for your customers.

Add custom cake options with Advanced Product Fields

Advanced Product Fields (APF) for WooCommerce is a powerful plugin that allows you to add custom options to your product pages, making it perfect for cake businesses that need flexible order forms. With APF, you can create tailored product fields that capture every detail of a customer’s cake order.

Let’s see some real examples!

• For visual appeal, use image swatches to showcase icing colors or decoration styles, allowing customers to click on images rather than plain text. 
• If your cakes are made-to-order, add a date picker for customers to schedule pickups or deliveries.
• Need customers to share design ideas? The file upload feature lets them attach reference images for custom designs. 
• Include text fields where they can specify cake messages or note dietary requirements.

Finally, what makes APF even more dynamic is its conditional logic feature. No one likes a cluttered product page, and with this function, you can display additional fields only when specific options are selected. For example, you can hide the date picker field and only show it when customers choose to add delivery. 

This keeps the form clean and user-friendly, as the presented options are based on customer choices without overwhelming them​.

Every single custom field comes with the option to adjust the pricing of the final product, allowing you to be fully transparent and letting the customer see the final price before they decide to purchase. 

Include payment options in your WooCommerce store

To enable the different payment options in WooCommerce, you need to use a payment gateway plugin. Popular options include WooPayments and Payment Plugins for Stripe, Paypal, and Braintree.

They will allow you to integrate credit and debit card processors like Stripe and PayPal, as well as alternative methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Amazon Pay. Each payment gateway has its own fee structure, typically around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for popular options like Stripe​.

WooCommerce also supports manual payments, such as bank transfers or cash on delivery, which can help you avoid transaction fees. Setting up these options is simple – go to WooCommerce → Settings → Payments, then choose and configure the methods you prefer.

For recurring revenue, consider using the WooCommerce Subscriptions plugin. It allows you to create subscription-based products, perfect for offerings like a monthly cupcake box. This plugin supports automatic recurring billing with over 25 payment gateways, providing flexibility for your business and convenience for your customers​.

Online cake store examples

In case you need some inspiration, we’ve prepared two great examples of online cake stores that have taken slightly different approaches in how they offer their products. 

The first business is Ruwi’s Cakes and for their website, they’ve chosen a more simple form with drop-down menus for each option. 

Users can see the different selections of flavors, designs, and toppings in the product gallery and then make their choice in the form on the side. Each option has a price fee that is clearly shown so that customers are fully informed about how much everything costs. 

Our other example, Crumbs & Doilies, offers an abundance of cakes that customers can choose from: 

They also offer a custom cake builder where buyers can fully customize every aspect of the final piece and even see a live update as they change the different parts. 

Allowing users to customize and see the changes in real time is the best strategy to ensure they go through with the purchase and come back in the future. Advanced Product Fields has a Live Preview add-on that allows you to do just that – you can see for yourself in our product demo for a custom gaming controller. 

How to successfully price your cakes

Pricing your cakes effectively ensures your business is profitable while remaining competitive. Here’s how to structure your pricing:

• Calculate direct costs: Start with the basics: Factor in the cost of ingredients (cake batter, fillings, frosting), packaging materials, and any decorative elements like fondant, edible flowers, or garnishes.
• Factor in indirect costs: Include utilities (electricity, water, gas) and equipment depreciation. Divide monthly expenses like rent and marketing by your average monthly sales. Don’t forget kitchen tool maintenance costs.
• Account for labor costs: Consider the time spent baking, decorating, and handling custom designs. Complex designs require more hours and specialized skills, which should be reflected in the price.
• Research market rates: Analyze local competitors’ pricing and consider regional price variations. Position your business – whether as a premium or standard bakery – to align with your target audience.
• Set profit margins: Aim for a 30-50% markup on total costs. For specialty or intricate designs, apply higher margins to cover added labor and expertise.
• Implement pricing strategies: Use tiered pricing, bundle offers, or premium pricing for unique designs. Factor in design complexity with base pricing plus additional charges for detailed work.
• Include size variations: Calculate pricing per serving and offer volume discounts for larger orders or events. Adjust prices based on cake size and tier configurations.

Legal considerations for selling cakes online

Before you start selling cakes online, it’s crucial to understand the legal requirements in your region. 

• Research local laws to ensure compliance, and when in doubt, consult a legal advisor. In the US, check if your state has cottage food laws, which often regulate home-based food businesses. These laws typically require registration with local health departments and set rules for packaging, labeling, and permitted food types.
• For labeling, clearly list ingredients and allergens, following national guidelines. In the EU, mandatory information includes ingredient lists, allergen disclosures, nutritional facts, and storage instructions​.
• Include a privacy policy and terms of service to meet online business regulations. If you’re shipping across state lines or internationally, verify legal requirements for food transportation, as rules may vary.
• Don’t overlook food safety certifications, and display any required licensing information on your website. 
• When shipping, ensure that you’re compliant with both your local laws and those of the destination to avoid legal issues.

Best practices for selling cakes online

To run a successful online cake business, consider these best practices:

Protect your business with proper insurance

Starting a cake business requires specific insurance coverage, so make sure to contact insurance providers who specialize in food businesses. They’ll help set up protection against common issues like shipping damage claims or food safety incidents. For example, if a cake arrives damaged due to a delivery mishap, your insurance can cover the replacement costs and potential refunds.

Master cake shipping and delivery

The success of your cake business depends heavily on reliable delivery systems. 

• Set up clear delivery zones – maybe offering a 25-mile radius for complex tiered cakes and up to 50 miles for simpler designs like cupcakes. 
• Package your cakes in temperature-controlled boxes with ice packs during the summer months. 
• Send cupcakes in specialized holders that prevent tipping, and secure tiered cakes with non-slip mats and support dowels.

Create stunning product photos

Great photos sell cakes, and thankfully, you don’t need expensive equipment to achieve impressive results. Here’s what you need to do: 

• Set up a simple photography area with natural light from a window and a plain white backdrop. 
• Capture close-up shots showing the texture of your buttercream, the shine of your glazes, and the detail of your sugar flowers. 
• Take photos from multiple angles, and always include a size reference object like a cake server. 
• Use photo editing tools to ensure your cake colors match reality – what customers see online should match what they receive.

Find your specialty

This can be a bit tricky, but a good starting point would be to research local bakeries and identify gaps in the market. If every local baker offers traditional wedding cakes, you could focus on modern geometric designs or vegan celebration cakes. Look at Google Trends and social media hashtags to spot rising cake trends in your area. For instance, if you notice a growing interest in “smash cakes” for baby photoshoots, you could develop a special line for photographers.

Build your online presence

Nowadays, if your business is not on social media, it might as well not exist, especially if you run a small business. 

So, if you don’t want to miss out, here’s what you need to do: 

1. Create a Google Business Profile and encourage happy customers to leave reviews. 
2. Use analytics tools to track which cake designs get the most interest and adjust your offerings accordingly. 
3. Share cake-decorating videos on Instagram and TikTok, and engage with other users in comment sections. 
4. Write blog posts about your custom cake processes and send monthly newsletters featuring seasonal flavors. 

This mix of marketing helps potential customers find and trust your cake business.

Start selling your cakes online today!

With WooCommerce and Advanced Product Fields, you have the perfect foundation to create a professional online cake shop. 

This powerful combination allows you to offer customizable order forms, manage complex pricing, and handle detailed customer requests with ease. Using the tools covered in this guide, you can start accepting orders right away, whether for custom cakes, cupcakes, or subscription boxes. Don’t wait – get your WooCommerce store set up today with Advanced Product Fields and start growing your online cake business with confidence and ease!