I have no sales, no traffic without ads. Is there something wrong within my website?

[apsaaliving]

Hi .. I started my candle making store a year ago in Feb 2024,however i have struggled with sales. i am not a web designer or a technical person but somehow i managed to make this website but beyond that it very tricky .. In a year i have just got one organic sale and rest were from friends and family. 

- I tried running easy ads but i could not understand them .. i ran them for few days and when i didnt get any result i discontinued.

- i tried meta ads - again i got some traffic but no sales again

i really dont know what i am doing wrong. I really put my heart and soul in making the website but it seems it is not doing what its meant to do. and im not understanding - do i need to hire some one - if so then who , and what do i need them to do .. i am totally clueless.

Apsaaliving.com is my website

Please help .

[apsaaliving]

Yes That would be a great start ..thanks 

[Growave]

Hi  @apsaaliving 

How are you? I hope you are doing well. 

It's Erlan from Growave. 

I'm sorry to hear about the challenges you have encountered in running your candle-making business. Building an online business and driving sales isn't easy, especially without a technical background. Here are some strategies that can help you enhance your store's performance and boost sales:

Website optimization: 

User Experience (UX): Ensure your website is intuitive and user-friendly. Clear website navigation, high-quality images, and detailed product descriptions can significantly impact a visitor's decision to purchase from you. 

Mobile Responsiveness: With many users shopping via mobile devices, it's crucial that your website displays correctly on all screen sizes. 

Loading Speed: A slow loading website can deter potential customers. Tools like Google's PageSpeed Insights can help identify areas for improvement. What's more, site speed is an important factor that Google considers for ranking.

Search engine optimization: 

Keyword Research: To attract potential customers, it's important to incorporate relevant SEO-friendly keywords naturally throughout your website content - whether in product descriptions, articles, or  even the "About Us" page. This helps ensure your site is easily discoverable. Identify keywords potential customers might use to find products like yours. Invest in a good SEO tool if you want to get noticed on search engines like Google. Ahrefs is a great option - it’s a bit pricey, but definitely worth it. It helps with keyword research, shows your rankings, and allows you to analyze your competitors, see their traffic, discover which keywords they are using, and check their positions for those keywords. I've checked your organic traffic, and it’s not ranking well. That's why you need to focus on SEO as well. 

 

Content Creation: Identify keywords with low difficulty, and when writing articles, make sure to use them while providing value - whether it's about your products, company news, or new trends related to your niche, like eco-friendly candles. It would be great if you offered those for sale. Make sure to mention this info in your product descriptions.

Share posts on candle care tips, the benefits of soy candles, or behind-the-scenes looks at your crafting process. Be consistent and aim to post every week. BTW, you can read about SEO on the Ahrefs blog for some useful information.

Digital Marketing:

Social Media Engagement: Platforms like Instagram and Facebook are excellent for showcasing your products. Regularly post engaging content, run promotions, and interact with your audience to build a community around your brand. You can use your customers' feedback to improve your marketing efforts and products. 

Email Marketing: Build an email list by offering incentives like discounts or exclusive content. Regular newsletters can keep your audience informed about new products, upcoming sales, or company news. There are several great email marketing apps on the Shopify App store, such as Klaviyo. 

Customer Feedback and Reviews:

Collect Testimonials: Social proof is important as it encourages other customers to purchase from you - there are no sales without trust. Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews by offering rewards. Positive feedback can build trust and influence potential buyers. You can do this by implementing a review app. 

Post-Purchase Surveys: Implement surveys to understand how customers found your shop and their purchasing experience. This insight can guide your marketing efforts. 

Loyalty Programs:

Reward Repeat Customers: Implementing a loyalty program can encourage repeat purchases. Consider offering points for purchases that can be redeemed for discounts or free products.

Referral Incentives: Encourage existing customers to refer friends by offering them a discount on their next purchase.

Platforms like Growave can assist in setting up loyalty programs, reviews, and wishlists to enhance customer engagement. BTW, Growave has an integration with an email marketing app Klaviyo.  And we’ve had a successful case study with another amazing candle-making business. You can check it out here. 

Professional Assistance:

Given the technical aspects involved, hiring a professional might be a good solution at the beginning. Then you can do it yourself. Consider:

• Web Developer: To optimize your website's performance and design.
• SEO Specialist: To improve your search engine rankings and drive organic traffic.
• Digital Marketer: To manage advertising campaigns and social media presence effectively.          

I hope this gives you some direction and helps you understand what you need to work on. Good luck!

[apsaaliving]

Thanks... Thts very insightful ... 

[Growave]

you're welcome

[Avitanshi_17]

Hello @apsaaliving 

It’s completely understandable to feel frustrated after putting so much effort into your candle-making business and website but not seeing the results you hoped for. The good news is that you are not alone—many small business owners face similar challenges, especially in the first year. Let’s break down what might be happening and how you can turn things around.

1. Understanding Why Sales Are Low

A lack of sales usually happens due to one (or a combination) of these reasons:

• Low website traffic – If not enough people are visiting your store, there aren’t enough opportunities for sales.
• Wrong audience – Getting traffic from ads that don’t target the right customers leads to visitors who aren’t interested in buying.
• Website experience issues – If your site isn’t user-friendly, clear, and trustworthy, visitors may leave without purchasing.
• Pricing & product positioning – If your candles don’t stand out from competitors or the pricing doesn’t match customer expectations, it could affect sales.
  
  

2. Fixing Your Marketing Approach

You mentioned trying ads but not seeing results. That’s common if ads aren’t set up correctly. Here’s how you can improve:

• Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram) – Instead of running general ads, focus on highly targeted audiences. For example, target people interested in handmade candles, home décor, and eco-friendly products.
• Influencer Collaborations – Partner with small influencers who focus on home décor or self-care. They can showcase your candles to the right audience.
• Organic Marketing (SEO & Social Media) – Since paid ads didn’t work well, focus on free traffic:

• Improve your website’s SEO so it appears in Google searches (use keyword research tools like Ubersuggest or Google Keyword Planner).
• Post engaging content on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok (behind-the-scenes candle-making, styling tips, customer testimonials).
• Join Facebook groups where people discuss home fragrances and home décor. Share helpful tips instead of direct selling.
  
  

3. Improving Your Website for Conversions

Your website needs to convince visitors to buy. Here’s how:

• Homepage & Product Pages: Make sure your candles have high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and clear benefits (e.g., "hand-poured, toxin-free, long-lasting scent").
• Trust Signals: Add customer reviews, secure payment badges, and a clear return policy to build credibility.
• Call to Action: Make sure buttons like "Add to Cart" or "Shop Now" stand out and are easy to find.
  
  

4. Hiring Help: Who Do You Need?

If you’re struggling with technical aspects, hiring experts can help. Here’s who to consider:

• A Shopify Expert or Freelancer (for website optimization & SEO improvements)
• A Meta Ads Specialist (to properly set up and manage ads)
• A Social Media Manager (if you need help growing Instagram & Pinterest)

You don’t have to hire full-time. Websites like Upwork and Fiverr have freelancers who can help with specific tasks at affordable rates.

5. Keep Testing & Learning

Business success takes time, and every business owner goes through trial and error. Keep tweaking your approach and tracking what works. Instead of stopping ads completely, start with small tests, analyze what works, and adjust.

You have already done the hard part—starting your business. Now, it’s about refining your strategy to attract the right customers.
Keep going!

PS: I have a request to make. If you liked my answer and feel like I have provided some insights, please accept it as a solution. It would really mean a lot to me.