An order form that takes payment with the order

An order form is a small shop without the shop. Customers set quantities, see a running total, choose pickup or delivery, add a note and pay by card, and only then does the order reach you. It's built around your Stripe account, so connect that first.

When to use it

• A bakery takes next-morning orders and hates chasing no-shows.
• A farm sells weekly boxes or a maker sells a seasonal batch.
• A caterer wants pre-orders by a set day.
• Orders arrive through scattered messages and you keep missing some.

What a good one includes

• Products grouped into sections, so a long list stays easy to scan on a phone.
• A one-line description where it matters, such as size or how many it serves.
• A limit per customer on anything that's scarce.
• Your order cut-off in the intro. People will order at midnight otherwise.
• Tax rates that fit each product, since food and other goods are often taxed differently.
• Pickup details or a delivery fee, so the total at checkout has no surprises.

Make one by saying what you need

Text it, type it or say it, the way you'd tell a colleague:

Order form for Saltmarsh Bakery: rye loaf $8, cinnamon roll $4, quiche $26, pickup from 7am Saturday, or delivery for $5.

Questions

Can customers order now and pay later?

Not on this form. An order goes through when it's paid, which is what keeps no-shows down.

How do I see the orders?

Each paid order comes to you as a reply with the items, pickup or delivery choice, contact details and notes.

Do I need a licence to sell food online?

Very often, yes. Food sale rules depend on your location and what you make, so check with your local authority.