Selling baked goods online can mean taking orders through your own website, listing on an online marketplace, collecting pre-orders through social media or messages, or using an online order form for local pickup and delivery. The right option depends less on the technology than on what the law lets you do: many US cottage food laws limit how you deliver, whether you can ship and whether you can sell across state lines, and UK distance selling rules set out what customers must be told. Check those limits first, then choose the channel that fits your products, volume and time.
Key takeaways
- Confirm what your cottage food law or food registration allows for online orders, delivery and shipping before choosing a platform.
- Some states require label information to be shown online before payment and limit who may deliver.
- Your own site gives control; marketplaces and social media give reach; simple pre-order forms suit small local trade.
- Shipping baked goods adds packaging, timing and food safety questions.
- US mail-order shipping rules and UK distance selling rules set duties on delivery times and customer information.
Check the legal limits before you choose a channel
Cottage food laws vary widely. Some states allow online orders only with in-person or personal delivery, and some allow shipping within the state. Our explainer on how cottage food laws work covers the basics.
Texas shows how specific the rules can be. Its health department’s cottage food page says online sales are allowed only if the operator, an employee or a household member personally delivers the food. Before payment is accepted, the labeling information must be shown as a legible statement on the website, and after payment the address or identification number must appear on the label. Our food labeling checklist for home bakers explains what that information is.
In the UK, anyone selling food from home or online must register as a food business, as set out in our guide on how to register a food business in the UK.
Selling baked goods online: the main options compared
| Option | Best for | Main trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Your own website with an order form or shop | Bakers who want control over branding, menus and customer data | Setup time, maintenance and the need to bring in your own visitors |
| Online marketplace for handmade or local food | Reaching buyers who are already browsing | Fees, platform rules, less control over presentation, competition next to you |
| Social media pre-orders | Small local operations with an existing following | Orders spread across messages, easy to lose track, payments need care |
| Simple online form for pickup or delivery slots | Weekly drops, bake days, local regulars | Limited reach; works best with a clear schedule |
| Selling through local shops or cafés | Steady volume without running a storefront | Often restricted under cottage food laws; check whether indirect sales are allowed |
There is no single right answer. Many home bakers start with pre-orders from people they know, add a simple order form, and only move to a full shop or marketplace once volume justifies the time.
What to look for in any online sales setup
Whichever channel you choose, judge it against these criteria:
- Legal fit. Can it show the information your rules require before payment, such as label details or allergen information?
- Order control. Can you cap orders per bake day, close ordering at a set time and avoid taking more than you can make safely?
- Delivery options. Does it support pickup slots and local delivery zones, and can you switch off shipping if your rules forbid it?
- Payments and records. Does it give you clear records of each sale for tax and traceability?
- Effort. How much time will listing, answering messages and updating stock take each week?
- Customer information. Can customers see ingredients, allergens and your contact details easily?
If you plan to ship
Shipping adds risks that local delivery does not. Choose products that travel well, use food-grade packaging, and think about temperature and transit time. Many cottage food rules do not allow shipping at all, or only within the state, so check before you offer it.
Delivery promises also carry legal weight. In the US, the Federal Trade Commission’s guide to the Mail, Internet, or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule explains that the rule covers most goods ordered by mail, phone or internet. Sellers must have a reasonable basis for any shipping time they state, or for shipping within 30 days if they state none, and must offer buyers the choice to accept a delay or cancel for a prompt refund if they cannot ship on time. Check with the FTC or an adviser how it applies to your products.
In the UK, GOV.UK’s guide to online and distance selling lists the information you must give before an order is placed, including your business name and contact details, a description of the goods, the price including taxes, delivery arrangements and times, and cancellation rights. It also says goods must be delivered within 30 days unless you have agreed otherwise with the customer.
Frequently asked questions
Can I ship cookies to another state from my home kitchen?
Often not. Many cottage food laws limit sales to within the state, and some forbid shipping entirely. Check your state’s rules; going further may require a licensed commercial kitchen.
Do I need my own website to sell online?
No. Pre-orders through messages or a simple online form can work for small local trade, as long as you can show the information your rules require and keep good records.
Should I list allergens online?
Yes, wherever possible. Customers cannot ask you face to face, and in some places, such as the UK, allergen information must be available before an online purchase and again on delivery.
Pick one channel and test it
Write down what your rules allow, choose the simplest channel that fits, and run it for a month with a cap on orders. Track time spent and orders taken, then decide whether to expand. More guides for home bakers are in our home bakers section.