Before Getting Started
A first step is to look at the point of sales systems and website providers that an agribusiness is currently using. Some of these systems offer features that can be used as an online sales platform. The online sales platforms listed in this document may provide additional services to help manage this market channel for agribusinesses. What is best for each agribusiness will vary.
Questions to Consider When Getting Started With Online Sales
Here is a list of questions to consider while planning to get started with online sales. These questions are helpful to consider as part of a business plan and questions to consider asking customer service representatives of the online platforms.
- Does the company already work with farmers in North Carolina?
- What kind of IT or customer service support is provided?
- Is farmer sales data collected and stored? What level of privacy is there?
- What happens if the farmer decides not to use the platform anymore? Will the data be stored?
- What is the total cost to use the platform? What are the monthly fees and credit card transactions fees? Who pays for the transactions fees?
- What does it take to get set up? Can farmers get set up on the platform on their own, or do they need to work with a company representative?
- Can a farmer integrate the platform into their farm’s website, or does this involve building a new website?
- What does a farmer need to do from getting their product posted to getting the payments entered?
- Can the farmer alter the prices? Can they sell to different customer groups, such as restaurants and individuals? Can they offer promotional prices?
- What do customers see? Can the farmer set limits so customers know when they sell out?
- What are the customer payment options? Can the farmer accept EBT?
- How are payments deposited into the farm account? How often does that happen? How are taxes handled?
- Will this platform integrate with farm accounting software?
- If custom boxes are offered, will the platform create labels or lists to help with packing?
- How does the platform provide delivery support?
- Is there anything else farmers should know about?
List of Online Sales Platforms
This is a list of online sales platforms to consider. There are many online sales platforms, so this list is not complete. Many of these companies have specific customer service resources in response to COVID-19. Most platforms offer multiple payment options for consumers, allowing for online or in-person payments. Most platforms allow the sale of products besides food and drinks.
Note: NC State does not endorse any of these platforms. This list is for informational purposes only.
| Platform | Features | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
|
In select Southeastern regions, the sale of food bundles like bags or boxes, targeting primarily vacationers, requires vetting by the local Extension office. |
No startup or monthly fees; 18% transaction fee. |
|
| Barn2Door | Storefront with different price points for different markets, easy sharing capabilities (social, newsletters, web, and mobile), and marketing assistance. |
Webstore + website has a startup cost of $399 and is $79 per month. |
| Harvie | CSA management, marketing assistance. |
$500 set up fee; $0 monthly fee, 7% transaction fee + 2.9% + $0.30 per credit card sale. |
| Food4All | Online shopping carts. | Free to producers (buyers cover the cost of the software). |
| Local Food Marketplace |
CSA management, storefront with availability lists, multi-farm sales- including food hubs, delivery planning support. |
See pricing website; pricing starts at $499 start-up and $79 per month. |
| Square Online Stores | Multiple payment options; capital, payroll, and other services are available. Targeted for multiple types of businesses, not just food and farms. |
The payment app is free, 2.6% + $0.10 per credit card charge. *NC State Extension webinar on starting a square store. |
| Open Food Network | Online storefront, multi-farm/food hub sales. |
Open source; free for less than $500 in sales per month, over $500 per month is a 1% turnover fee. |
| Farmigo | CSA management, online storefront, multi-farm, and food hub sales. |
2% of deliveries (minimum of $150 per month, only charge months where delivery happens). |
| Farm Fresh Web | Farmers and shoppers app, communicate inventory with consumers who have the app. | 90% of their services are free—no payment is required. |
| Cropolis | Online sales, availability lists. |
Packages range from $29–99/month + credit card transactions fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. |
| CSAware | CSA management. |
2% of sales (minimum of $100 per month), credit card transaction fees. |
| Farmers Web | Availability lists, online store. | The basic plan is free, the unlimited plan is $75 per month. |
| HarvestHand | CSA management. | The first 10 members are free, then $10 per member per year. |
| Local Line | Storefront for farms and food hubs. |
Packages from $0–79.99 per month. See their pricing webpage for more information. |
| Local Orbit | Food hub and multi-farm sales, delivery management, and marketing assistance. |
Depends on the size of the business. Plans range from $70–450 per month. See their pricing webpage for more information. |
| Shopify | Storefront. Not just for food and farm businesses. |
Plans range from $29–299 per month. See their pricing webpage for more information. |
| Bulk meat storefront serving NY and NC. | No cost. |
Hesitant About Online Sales?
If online sales are not something you are interested in adopting, consider reaching out to your local food hub or farmers market to see if they have new (or not-so-new) options. Multi-farm CSAs organized by farmer co-ops, existing farmers markets, and food hubs can be viable options during this time that are convenient for consumers. Your local N.C. Cooperative Extension center may be able to direct you to local resources.
Publication date: Oct. 12, 2022
N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status.
N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment regardless of age, color, disability, family and marital status, gender identity, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation and veteran status.