Make no mistake about it; the floriculture industry is a big, multibillion dollar business. Flowers are seen as a “must” for weddings and celebrations and as one answer in times of crisis, sickness, and at funerals. How do you decide which online florist will deliver high-quality flowers and meet your expectations for a special occasion? Here is a checklist to make sure your hard-earned money goes to the right online retailer.
1. What is the history of this online florist? How long have they been in business? An online florist that just started doing business last month is probably not going to have all the bugs worked out in their system yet.
2. What kind of customer service policy is in place? No company is perfect, so it’s important to make sure that if there is a problem, the flower company will respond to your concerns. Look for guarantees of satisfaction as well as assistance and live advice.
3. Is the website user-friendly? A flower company that invests its money back into its website is serious about building its business up and is focused on making shopping easier for you.
4. What are the hours of operation? Look for expanded business hours and make sure that there is a phone number to call in case you have questions or concerns about your flowers.
5. Is this florist a member of a floral association? A flower company that is affiliated with various floriculture societies is dedicated to keeping up with the latest industry knowledge and trends. Look for confirmation of the company’s membership in national floral organizations.
6. What kind of shipping is available? Timing is everything with flowers, so you will want to make sure that fast shipping can be provided so that your flowers are fresh on arrival. The majority of flowers are grown in South America, so you want a quick turnaround time between the farmer and your doorstep.
7. Is the price right? For larger orders, look for a wholesale or bulk florist to meet your demands.
With these pointers in mind, you will find an online florist that is certain to make your event more memorable.