Why BloomNation Might Be Holding Back Your Floral Business
At first glance, BloomNation seems like a great solution for florists looking to sell their arrangements online. It promises a ready-made platform, exposure to customers, and a marketplace that makes things “easier.” But beneath the surface, it becomes clear that BloomNation may not be as helpful for your business as it appears.
If you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or questioning whether the platform is truly working for you, you’re not alone. Here are the key reasons BloomNation may be limiting your potential—and what you need to know to make the best decision for your business.
1. High Fees and Commissions
BloomNation doesn’t come cheap. Depending on your plan, you’re either paying a flat subscription fee (often hundreds of dollars a month) or a percentage of every sale—around 10%. These fees can add up quickly and take a significant bite out of your profits.
If you’re already dealing with the challenges of running a small business, handing over a chunk of your hard-earned revenue to a third-party platform isn’t ideal. Over time, this can eat into your growth and financial stability.
2. Limited Brand Visibility
On BloomNation, your shop is one of many competing for attention in the same marketplace. Customers browsing the site see a long list of florists, all offering similar products.
This setup makes it incredibly difficult for your business to stand out or build a unique brand identity. Rather than showcasing your story, your style, and your strengths, you’re reduced to being “just another option” in a crowded marketplace.
3. Lack of Customer Data Access
One of the biggest limitations of BloomNation is its control over customer data. As a florist, building long-term relationships with your customers is essential for success. Unfortunately, BloomNation doesn’t share valuable customer information, such as email addresses, with you.
Without access to this data, you can’t run targeted marketing campaigns, create personalized experiences, or grow a loyal customer base. Instead, you’re stuck with the limited tools the platform offers, which aren’t enough to build strong, lasting relationships.
4. Dependency on Their Platform
Relying on BloomNation comes with risks. When you’re heavily dependent on a third-party platform, you’re at their mercy. Any changes to their fees, policies, or algorithms could affect your business overnight.
This lack of control leaves you vulnerable and can make it harder to plan for long-term growth. A truly successful business shouldn’t have to depend entirely on someone else’s rules.
5. Generic Customization Options
Your floral arrangements are unique, and your online presence should be, too. But BloomNation’s platform doesn’t allow for much customization. You’re limited to their templates and features, which often lack the flexibility to showcase your brand’s personality.
Customers want a memorable shopping experience that feels personal and reflects your creativity as a florist. BloomNation’s one-size-fits-all model simply doesn’t allow for that level of individuality.
6. Increased Competition and Price Wars
By grouping all local florists together in one marketplace, BloomNation unintentionally encourages price competition. Customers often shop based on price rather than quality, which forces florists to lower their prices to stay competitive.
This race to the bottom can harm your profitability and undervalue the effort, artistry, and time you put into creating beautiful floral arrangements.
7. Limited Advertising Tools
BloomNation doesn’t provide advanced advertising support. Their PPC (pay-per-click) campaigns offer little flexibility or insight, and they don’t integrate with tools like Meta Pixel. This means you’re unable to run targeted ads on platforms like Facebook or Instagram or effectively track customer behavior and conversions.
Without these tools, you’re missing key opportunities to drive traffic, improve ad performance, and grow your business through personalized, data-driven marketing.
8. A Marketplace That Works for Them, Not You
At the end of the day, BloomNation’s business model works best for BloomNation—not for the florists using it. While they may offer exposure and convenience, they do so at a cost: high fees, limited control, and missed opportunities to build your brand and customer relationships.
The Verdict
BloomNation can serve as a stepping stone for florists entering the online marketplace, but it’s far from a complete solution. Its limitations—from high fees and lack of customer data access to restricted branding and advertising tools—make it clear that relying on this platform alone can hold your business back.
If you want to take your floral business to the next level, it’s time to look beyond third-party platforms and explore solutions that give you control, flexibility, and the ability to truly stand out. Your brand deserves to shine, your customers deserve a personalized experience, and your business deserves to thrive on your terms—not someone else’s.