So a few months ago, I was on here bumming around because my DH told me that I couldn't make cakes anymore unless I started charging, and I obviously didn't want to start an illegal business. So after thinking about it awhile, I decided, why not? Everyone loves my cakes, and always asks me if I would sell them...So I went and got my license, sent off for my tax packet (arrived today!), and scheduled my inspection ( for this Tuesday!). SO EASY! It only took one day and $39 to set everything up. I ordered cake dummies, so that I can practice some more and beef up my gallery (which should be in this week). I spent the week working on a website (www.cake-a-doodle-do.com), and I am pretty stinkin excited. I just wanted to share my little happy dance with yall, and see if you have any advice. How do you advertise? How do you get search engines to notice you? What other great tips do you have for me as I'm starting out? I just love this site, and I appreciate the willingness to share that you all possess!
Congratulations! Cute business name and website 
Whooo-hoo! LOVE your name! Congratulations and best wishes for much success.
Good for you and I also think the name is really cool - just checked out your website and cracked up at the Matt Mc cake, what a classic!
You must be flyin' high right now! I'd love to sell cakes eventually, but not until we move to another house. In the meantime, I'll keep practicing in my tiny kitchen and learn all I can.
Enjoy the excitement of your new adventure. Sounds like you're off to a great start. 
Thanks guys! I'm super excited! But a little nervous too...
39 bucks and open in just days???? Wow, I (and a lot of other folks on here) am jealous and envious!!
Congratulations and happy caking!! give your hubby a big hug for giving you the kick in the pants you needed to git-r-dun!
Let me edit, I spent $39 on the legalities (license, registering my name, etc.)... I've spent $$ on other things (website, dummies, business cards, etc.) not to mention the money I've spent over the years piling up pans and supplies. As for my DH, he has been wonderful and I'm so lucky to have him.
Cute name, cute website - Congratulations!
Not sure if it is just my computer/monitor settings or not, but I thohght it worth the mention.
When I was on your website, I have to scroll left/right to see the whole page when viewing at 100%. If I drop my view down to 75% it seems to be ok (but the text is harder to read due to size)
Again, Congratulations.
Cute name, cute website - Congratulations!
Not sure if it is just my computer/monitor settings or not, but I thohght it worth the mention.
When I was on your website, I have to scroll left/right to see the whole page when viewing at 100%. If I drop my view down to 75% it seems to be ok (but the text is harder to read due to size)
Again, Congratulations.
Oh no! That's weird. It looks ok on my computer... Does anyone else have this problem?
Cogratulations, as other cc'ers said: cute name and website"....
Don't forget insurance!
Won't home owners insure my stuff?
Don't forget insurance!
Won't home owners insure my stuff?
never assume. check with your agent. Some homeowner policies specifically exclude any business equipment or business liabilities. It could be as simple as adding a rider to your existing homeowner's policy or it could involve buying a whole separate policy.
Also look into a commercial auto policy. As I've phrased it before, when someone is suing you for $100,000 because you were involved in an accident with them while delivering a cake ... well, that's just NOT the time to discover that your personal auto coverage won't cover commercial usage.
The web site looks like it was designed with a specific resolution in mind, and it doesn't scale correctly when the browser window is smaller. You might also want to consider getting rid of the purple and black vertical stripes in the background, IMO it would look much better with just a white background since you already have so much going on.
I will echo some of the other posters above and recommend getting business liability insurance...it's essential coverage and shouldn't cost more than $500 or so. You may also want to consider forming an LLC to further protect your personal assets.
Good job girl!!! congratulations!!! loved the name too!! and the website is very nice as well!! I noticed you are in NC, what do you need to bake legally from home? thanks! and congratulations again!!!!
Okay, I just checked out your website, and seriously, you need to raise your prices. SERIOUSLY. You are really good at what you do, and could be making a lot more money at it. You can just put a message on your home page stating the first of the year, prices are going up! Honor all current prices on cakes that are already booked, of course!
BTW, what program did you use to make your website? It is CUTE!
not just a cute name, an hysterical name that people will never forget.
Congratulations on your new endeavor!
heading to your website to check it out.
Theresa
Congratulations! I can feel your excitment!
I am a caker by hobby only, but a search engine marketer and web designer by trade.
How do you get search engines to notice you?
There are a thousand answers to this question.
You need to do some basic reading and understand meta tags, titles, and on page text. You need to link to directorys, ask questions in foums and comment on blogs. You need to track your visitors to see how they use your site. You need to get "authoritys" to link to you. You need to get listed on google local.
I run a blog that covers alot of the basics for new tourism website owners, but almost all the information is pertinant any small business (cakes!). Feel free to pm me with specific questions - I will be happy to show you the ins and outs.
as for the resolution issues you are having, likely some readers have a screen size set too small for the site you have designed. See if you cant set the middle section to auto center, rather than defining a set pixel order.
this is nit-picking, but the chicken on the logo is bothersome. he needs a bit of shadow on his feet to "ground" him to the cupcake.
All in all, its a terrific site with an awesome names that give people everything they need to hire you. More reason to be excited and proud!
You are so lucky! IN my area you have to have a separate room with a triple sink, handwash sink, cupboards, fridge and stove, bathroom in the area and drywall and lino without cracks...so we have to put in new!!
Yea, I was wondering about your prices as well. For my area at least, those prices would barely cover my costs! I don't know if your market is flooded with decorators since as you say it's so easy to get licensed, but your cakes do look really good and you ought to get paid for what you do!
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