I launched my Shopify store about two months ago. Like many new store owners, I expected a learning curve, but I’ve hit a massive external roadblock and would love some perspective or advice from seasoned merchants.
To date, I have only managed to secure one sale.
A major part of my struggle has been the recent conflict in the Middle East. Because of the geopolitical situation and disrupted shipping routes, my shipping costs spiked by up to 300% in several of my primary target regions.
This has put me in a tough spot:
If I absorb the shipping costs, my profit margins vanish completely.
If I pass the costs on to the customer, my cart abandonment rate skyrockets because shipping looks unreasonably expensive.
Where I need your help:
Shipping Strategies: How do you handle sudden, massive spikes in logistics costs without scaring off customers? Should I pause targeting these regions entirely and pivot elsewhere?
General Store Critique: Since I only have one sale, I’m worried there might be other leaks in my funnel (conversion rate optimization, trust signals, etc.).
I am resilient and not ready to give up, but I definitely need a strategy pivot. Has anyone else navigated shipping crises like this early on? What would you do in my shoes?
Thanks in advance for your insights!
(P.S. I will drop my store link in the comments if anyone is willing to take a look at the design/flow!)
hi @Nammari .
Hope you are doing great.
The store has potential, but a few things are hurting you. The
biggest issue is no clear identity. You are selling bed sets, yoga mats, puzzles, and pillow covers, all on one page.
No reviews anywhere.
Product names are too long.
Prices feel random.
What to do?
fix the typo, clean the product names, and pick your niche.
The cultural Arabic products are really interesting.
First, I must tell you it is very hard to open a new store, focused on dropshipping, especially where you are located. But even if you anywhere in a world, market is so saturated, and you must be aware there are a lot of stores that sell same things like you. It is really hard to push through, even if your store is 100% done right you still would need great marketing, a big pretense on social networks and ads.
And your store is not 100% ready. You have some base covered, products, description, about us, blog. But that is just first step. I wander, have you done any research before opening store? Have you checked and find some similar stores that looks good, and are profitable, well known? Also, have checked topics here in Store Feedback or searched for “no sales” and “zero sales”? Because that give a lot of good advice that your store could use also.
Thanks agree with you it is so challenging in area, but let me tell a secret my focus on building organic a base within one year in addition to micro influencers assistance , in Jordan , KSA, Qatar , in ME generally , for new stores the key winner factor is COD (Cash on Delivery) until you gain the trust , i am working on the identity and i should give all notification for every change so you can give me you opinions, shipping cost has jumped sometimes up to 360% but it was too late for me standing in the middle so i need to continue and cant quit now
Thanks so much for sparing time. i am so open for any comment any time thanks everyone .
OK, I was not specific with things on your store but here are a few.
You said that you want to build organic, for that you do need some more contents, section with text to lead customers. For example you homepage is not great, you have bunch of products named “All products” but that is just a part. And to me, customers would be confused when they land there. Check for example https://www.wayfair.com/ they have a bit too much content but still good structure: small header but full with links, search menu,hero banner with important event, image/text banners/section, collections list, featured collections,icon text blocks. Think you can see a difference but also it can be partly used as inspiration and way to learn.
Also no shipping issues matter if your not getting sales it’s just an easy scape goat
That’s putting the cart before the horse in terms of “strategy” its backwards thinking.
Do the actual work in research https://community.shopify.com/search?q=no+sales
, ask real questions that are SINGULAR and tightly scoped and more than what can already be found with a google search ,
, and use the proper forum for critiques Store Feedback .
but still good structure: small header but full with links, search menu,hero banner with important event, image/text banners/section, collections list, featured collections,icon text blocks. Think you can see a difference but also it can be partly used as inspiration and way to learn.