Have you always wanted to open a flower shop but aren't sure where to start? No worries! Like any new business, opening a flower shop involves a lot of thought and hard work. It can be intimidating and overwhelming, but the payoff is so worth it. Check out our quick guide of the things you need to know when opening a flower shop.

Wholesale Vendors

In order to start your shop, you’ll need a product to sell! Finding supplies and figuring out what to order is a process in and of itself. First, you’ll need to find reliable wholesale suppliers that have the flowers and other floral products you need. (Find all the wholesalers you need with our partner, FGmarket!)

Supplies & Stock

Figuring out how much stock and all the supplies you need will be a learning process as you open your shop. Start with a smaller amount and then build from there as you get orders in. And don’t be afraid to talk with your wholesale partners to ask their advice! They have been in this business and know when the busy seasons are to help you prepare.

Software

One of the most important things to figure out before opening your shop is the software you are going to use. You can have great ideas and designs, but if you can’t accept orders or keep up with inventory, you won’t get very far.

Having a dependable Point-of-Sale (POS) system is critical to the success of your shop. A reliable POS system allows you to keep track of orders, customers, inventory, and so much more. It will become a foundation for your new business, so choosing the one that will work best for you is crucial. There are many florist-specific POS systems out there, and FSN interfaces with several of them!

Operations

The biggest things you need to figure out are the smallest details of operating a flower shop. How are you going to make deliveries? Are you going to hire staff? What training will you need to provide to them? All of these things are part of starting your business. Figuring out those things early on will help set your shop up for success in the long run.

Marketing

Promoting your business is one of the most critical parts of setting your business up to be successful. If people don’t know about you, they won’t order from you! Some quick things to note the help when marketing your business:

Website

Online shopping is more popular than ever, which means having a functional website that allows your customers to order online is crucial for your business. Taking good product photos, keeping your selection up-to-date, and promoting your website on other platforms will go a long way in helping your shop get more orders.

Social Media

Everyone is on social media and expects to find businesses there. Pick a platform and set up a profile for your business. We’ve found that Facebook and Instagram are the best platforms for florists since they are visually based and reach a broad range of demographics. Once you have the profile set up, start posting the beautiful arrangements you are creating!

Reviews

Word-of-mouth is extremely important, which is why staying on top of the reviews you get is critical. Don’t be afraid to ask for reviews! Add your social channels to the bottom of invoices and emails to make it easy for your customers to leave a review. And if someone leaves a not-so-happy review, make sure to resolve it and show other customers that you care about them and the problems they might have.

Helpful Services

There are numerous resources out there that can help you, like Flower Shop Network!

With FSN, you get dependable support every step of the way. Plus we’ve made our services with florists like you in mind. We strive to provide you with everything you need to be successful, from sending and receiving to powerful websites to email marketing made for you and so much more.

These are just a few helpful tips to get you started! Don’t be afraid to reach out to other florists around you. There are hundreds of groups and online communities that you can connect with to ask questions and get advice.