Managing Products
Learn how to create, update, and manage your product listings effectively
Creating Product Listings
Well-crafted product listings are essential for attracting customers and communicating value.
Essential Product Information
- Product Name: Clear, descriptive name (e.g., "Organic Red Bell Peppers" not just "Peppers")
- Description: Include variety, growing methods, size, and serving suggestions
- Price: Set competitive prices that reflect quality and growing costs
- Unit Size: Clear packaging (1 lb bag, 6-count, bunch, etc.)
- Quantity Available: How many units you have for sale
- Category: Help customers find your products easily
Product Categories
Organize your products into logical categories:
- Vegetables: Fresh produce, root vegetables, leafy greens
- Fruits: Tree fruits, berries, melons
- Herbs: Culinary herbs, medicinal herbs
- Dairy: Milk, cheese, yogurt, butter
- Meat & Poultry: Beef, pork, chicken, eggs
- Baked Goods: Bread, pastries, preserves
- Prepared Foods: Ready-to-eat items
- Plants & Flowers: Seedlings, cut flowers, potted plants
💡 Category Tip: If your market allows growers to edit categories, create
subcategories that make sense for your products (e.g., "Tomatoes - Cherry," "Tomatoes - Slicing").
Product Attributes and Options
LocallyGrown.net supports various product attributes to help you describe and manage your offerings.
Special Handling Flags
- Cold Storage Required: Products that need refrigeration
- Bouquet/Arrangement: For flowers and decorative items
- Live Plant: For seedlings, potted plants, trees
- Fragile/Special Care: Items requiring careful handling
Product Types
- Regular Products: Standard items available to all customers
- Wholesale Products: Bulk quantities for restaurants or resellers
- Featured Products: Highlighted items that appear prominently
- Seasonal Specials: Limited-time offerings
Pricing Options
- Fixed Pricing: Set price per unit
- Volume Discounts: Lower prices for larger quantities
- Market Surcharge: Additional fee per product if needed
- Wholesale Pricing: Separate pricing for bulk buyers
Inventory Management
Keep your inventory accurate to prevent overselling and disappointed customers.
Inventory Tracking Methods
- Exact Quantities: Set specific numbers available (12 heads of lettuce)
- Estimated Quantities: Approximate amounts for bulk items (20 lbs of tomatoes)
- Stop-at-Zero: Automatically disable product when sold out
- Manual Control: Turn products on/off as needed
Availability Management
- Weekly Planning: Review what will be ready for harvest
- Set Availability: Mark products as available early in ordering cycle
- Monitor Orders: Watch sales throughout ordering window
- Adjust Quantities: Increase or decrease based on harvest reality
- Disable if Needed: Turn off products if harvest comes up short
Best Practices for Inventory
- Start with conservative quantities until you understand demand
- Check your listings daily during ordering windows
- Communicate early if you need to reduce quantities
- Keep a buffer for quality issues or harvest shortfalls
- Document what sells well for future planning
Product Photos and Presentation
High-quality photos significantly increase sales and customer satisfaction.
Photography Guidelines
- Natural Lighting: Take photos outdoors or near windows
- Clean Backgrounds: Use plain backgrounds that don't distract
- Multiple Angles: Show products from different perspectives
- Size Reference: Include hands or common objects for scale
- Packaging View: Show how products will be packaged
- Lifestyle Shots: Occasional photos showing products in use
Photo Requirements
- File Format: JPG or PNG files
- Size Limits: Maximum file size varies by market settings
- Resolution: High enough for clear viewing on mobile devices
- Orientation: Square or landscape orientation works best
Updating Photos
- Update photos seasonally to show current products
- Replace photos if product appearance changes significantly
- Add new photos when introducing product variations
- Remove photos for discontinued products
📸 Photo Tip: Customers are more likely to order products with clear, appetizing
photos. Invest time in good photography - it pays off in increased sales!
Product Descriptions and Marketing
Compelling descriptions help customers understand and connect with your products.
Writing Effective Descriptions
- Start with Benefits: What makes this product special?
- Include Variety Details: Specific cultivars, breeds, or types
- Mention Growing Methods: Organic, pasture-raised, heirloom, etc.
- Suggest Uses: Cooking methods, recipes, storage tips
- Share Your Story: Brief details about your farming practices
Description Examples
❌ Poor Description
"Tomatoes, $4/lb"
✅ Great Description
"Cherokee Purple Heirloom Tomatoes - These deep purple beauties have a rich, smoky flavor perfect for slicing. Grown organically in our heritage garden. Each tomato weighs 8-12 oz. Great for sandwiches or caprese salad. Store at room temperature for best flavor. $4/lb"
Seasonal Marketing
- Spring: Emphasize freshness, first harvests, spring cleaning
- Summer: Peak season, abundance, preservation, entertaining
- Fall: Harvest celebration, storage crops, comfort foods
- Winter: Greenhouse goods, preserved items, hearty meals
Managing Orders and Fulfillment
Once customers place orders, you'll need to prepare and deliver their products.
Order Review Process
- Check Orders Daily: Monitor what's been ordered
- Confirm Availability: Verify you can fulfill all orders
- Communicate Changes: Contact customers about substitutions
- Plan Harvest: Schedule picking based on orders
- Prepare Products: Wash, package, and label as needed
Order Modifications
If your market allows grower order editing, you can:
- Adjust Quantities: Reduce if harvest comes up short
- Make Substitutions: Offer similar products with customer approval
- Add Notes: Communicate with customers about changes
- Remove Items: Delete products you can't fulfill
Packaging and Labeling
- Clear Labels: Customer name and product description
- Secure Packaging: Prevent damage during transport
- Temperature Control: Use coolers for perishable items
- Professional Appearance: Neat, clean presentation
Advanced Product Features
Explore advanced features to optimize your product management.
Product Relationships
- Master Products: Main product listings
- Dependent Products: Variations or add-ons
- Product Families: Group related items together
- Seasonal Variations: Same product, different seasons
Nutrient Information
- Nutritional Data: Calories, vitamins, minerals
- Dietary Information: Organic, gluten-free, vegan
- Allergen Warnings: Important safety information
- Health Benefits: Educational content for customers
Recipe Integration
- Recipe Ingredients: Link products to recipes
- Suggested Recipes: Help customers use products
- Seasonal Menus: Promote what's currently available
- Preparation Tips: Storage and cooking advice
Product Performance Analysis
Track how your products are performing to make informed decisions.
Key Metrics to Monitor
- Sales Volume: Which products sell best?
- Customer Feedback: Reviews and repeat purchases
- Seasonal Trends: When do products sell well?
- Price Sensitivity: How does pricing affect sales?
- Inventory Turnover: How quickly do products sell?
Using Performance Data
- Adjust Production: Grow more of what sells well
- Optimize Pricing: Find the sweet spot for each product
- Improve Descriptions: Update listings that aren't performing
- Plan New Products: Introduce items similar to top sellers
- Seasonal Planning: Prepare for predictable demand cycles