Your First Week
Your market is live! Here's what to focus on during your crucial first week to ensure smooth operations and build momentum.
Days 1-2: Monitor Initial Activity
Watch for First Orders
- Check order notifications - Make sure you're receiving email alerts for new orders
- Review order details - Look for any unusual orders or potential issues
- Test customer experience - Place an order yourself to experience the full customer journey
- Monitor payment processing - Verify that Stripe payments are processing correctly
Support Early Adopters
- Reach out proactively - Contact customers who place orders to thank them and gather feedback
- Answer questions quickly - Respond to customer inquiries within a few hours
- Document common questions - Start building your FAQ list based on real customer questions
Days 3-4: Help Growers Succeed
Check In with Growers
- Review product listings - Help growers improve product descriptions and photos
- Verify pricing - Ensure prices are competitive and cover grower costs
- Test harvest notifications - Make sure growers receive and understand harvest emails
- Offer technical support - Help with any platform issues or questions
Optimize Product Presentation
- Review category organization - Adjust product categories based on what growers are offering
- Feature seasonal items - Use the featured products system to highlight timely offerings
- Check product photos - Encourage growers to add high-quality photos
Days 5-7: Refine and Scale
Analyze Your First Week
- Review order reports - Check total sales, average order size, and popular products
- Monitor pickup efficiency - Time how long customer pickups take
- Gather feedback - Survey both growers and customers about their experience
- Identify bottlenecks - Look for areas where the process could be smoother
Plan for Growth
- Recruit more growers - Identify gaps in your product selection
- Expand marketing efforts - Plan social media posts and local outreach
- Consider additional pickup locations - Evaluate demand for more convenient locations
Essential Daily Tasks
Morning Routine (15 minutes)
- Check overnight orders and payments
- Review any customer support emails
- Monitor grower activity and new product listings
- Check for any system alerts or errors
Evening Routine (10 minutes)
- Review the day's order activity
- Send any necessary follow-up emails
- Update growers on order volumes for harvest planning
- Plan tomorrow's marketing activities
💡 Pro Tip: Keep a simple daily log of key metrics like order count, new customers,
and any issues. This helps you track progress and identify patterns.
Common First Week Challenges
Low Order Volume
Expected: First week volumes are typically low as customers discover your market.
- Reach out to friends and family to place initial orders
- Post regularly on social media with product highlights
- Consider offering a small launch discount
- Email your mailing list with featured products
Grower Technology Issues
Common problems: Growers may struggle with adding products or uploading photos.
- Offer phone or video support for technical questions
- Create simple step-by-step guides
- Consider temporarily adding products for growers who need help
- Schedule training sessions for multiple growers
Customer Confusion
Common issues: Pickup logistics, ordering deadlines, payment methods.
- Add clear instructions to your market's homepage
- Send welcome emails to new customers
- Post signs at pickup locations with clear instructions
- Create a simple FAQ page
Success Metrics to Track
Customer Metrics
- Number of orders - Track daily order count
- Average order value - Monitor spending per order
- Customer retention - Count repeat customers
- Pickup completion rate - Ensure customers are collecting orders
Grower Metrics
- Active growers - Count growers adding products weekly
- Product listings - Track total available products
- Sell-through rate - Monitor how much inventory sells
- Grower satisfaction - Regular check-ins and feedback