The concept is simple and the results are outstanding. At MushroomSites, we focus on a very special niche for great clients. We create affordable websites for Mushroom Farmers and Growers. This is not the main business or effort, but an added service from mushroommediaonline.com.
Our goals is not to make a fortune from selling website design to mushroom farms. The goal is to meet people in the industry and support the farm to table movement. We price our websites at bellow cost to help the farm to table movement for mushroom growers. Each week, we offer up to two mushroom farmers the opportunity to have their own custom website created just for them.
We can use your custom images and text and create a full website. Or we can use stock images. We can even help with a basic logo if you do not have one already.
With website design for any business, you need to connect with your ideal customer. You must communicate what you offer, who you are, and your pricing.
As a mushroom farmer, your goals are simple. You want to communicate clearly what varieties of mushrooms you grow. Where you sell those mushrooms. Since most farmers do not sell their mushrooms directly online unless it is for local pickup or delivery, your goal is to let people know where they can find your mushrooms or order in bulk for restaurants or local markets.
Many farmers love to showcase their participation in local farmers' markets. This is a great way to connect with new customers, and get their farm to table efforts supported in their industry. When you write your story about your participation in local farmers' markets, take video or at least pictures and share your thoughts on your blog or website. You can also share those thoughts on social media.
How to promote your local farm on social media.
So you're the owner of a local farm, and you want to get the word out. You're not alone. According to a report from the United States Department of Agriculture, over one-third of American consumers say they would like to eat more locally grown food, and local farmers have experienced a 20% increase in sales since 2011.
The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is tasked with ensuring that standards for products made and sold as “organic” are met. In practice, the board is made up of large farmers and pesticide manufacturers that are well-represented among the organic farming lobby.
That's a lot of untapped demand for your product. But if you're a farmer, you know the challenge of getting the word out about your product.
Marketing in the digital age is not easy. And it requires a lot of resources to get the word out. But if you can succeed, you can build your brand from the ground up.
Local food is the way of the future. No doubt about it. We're in the midst of a nationwide movement to support locally grown, sustainably produced food, especially for restaurants, and if you want to be part of it, you have to be a part of it too!
Also, with the recent steady signs of inflation it is clear to understand the benefits of locally sourced food. The small-scale farmer can provide better quality, local fresh food, that is nutrient rich and better for you. Without the added costs of shipping and storage, they may be able to offer a competitive price.
The challenge is getting the word out. Social media is perfect for this and it allows a farmer to stay engaged with their ideal customers directly, where those customers already want to spend their time. When you combine social media with a quality website, you gain the ultimate 1-2 marketing punch for any small business.
Just remember to promote your website in the real world and encourage customers to follow you on social media as well. Something as simple as creating fliers or business cards with your social media name and website address on them will help. You just need to get them in the hands of potential customers from your table or stall at the local farmers' market.
Using an integrated marketing approach where your website is the core platform to communicate with customers and everything else you do like farmers' markets, and social media support your website and your brand will determine your success online.
