Five Questions About the Gift Basket Business

October 10, 2008 · Filed Under Industry Information · 2 Comments

From How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business, by Shirley George Frazier. Many years ago I set up a frequently-asked pages section at GiftBasketBusiness.com.

It answers lots of queries, but more, very-smart questions continue to arrive from designers worldwide.

Here’s a sample of what’s on your minds.

1. Which accounting software is best for tallying my gift basket sales?

I’ve heard designers talk about QuickBooks more than other accounting software programs, but that doesn’t mean QuickBooks is the only choice. It seems that because the software is generally popular that designers might not consider anything else.

Your small business accountant can pinpoint which accounting programs are available and user friendly.

2. Will a toll-free number be helpful to my business or harmful to my pocketbook?

The answer can go in either direction, so before investing in a toll-free number, it’s wise to consider your clients’ locations.

If you are currently or planning to service people in your immediate region, then a toll-free number is not worth the cost. If you envision your business fulfilling gift basket orders received from a national or worldwide buyers, then a toll-free number is mandatory.

I invested in a toll-free number when I regularly displayed gift baskets to 22 million views on the Food Network. Problems arose when a person began abusing the number, calling me every minute, and after 30 minutes of abuse, I canceled the number. Thankfully, all of the false call charges were credited to my account.

Please do not let my experience turn you against the service. Plenty of designers have such a number for their clients‘ convenience, and their experiences are positive and profitable.

More about toll-free numbers are explained in How to Start a Home-Based Gift Basket Business.

3. What type of license do I need to sell gift baskets in person and on the Internet? Read more