After working with thousands of store owners, we’ve pinpointed these urgent mistakes. Don’t let them derail your success—check them out now!
1. Skipping Proper Product Research
Picking the right product can make or break your business. But many new merchants choose based on what they personally like rather than what the market actually wants.
The cost? Higher ad spend, low sales, and wasted marketing efforts on a product that just won’t sell.
A winning product should:
- Have solid demand
- Face middle to low competition
- Offer a healthy profit margin
Fix:
- Use Google Trends to check search volume and demand.
- Browse best-sellers on top product marketplaces to see what’s already working.
- Test demand with small-budget ads before going all in.
2. Ignoring Mobile Optimization
Did you know that in Q4 2024, over 68% of global eCommerce orders came from mobile users? Yet, some merchants still design their stores with desktop users in mind first. If your store isn’t mobile-friendly, you’re leaving money on the table.
Fix:
- Pick a lightweight, mobile-optimized Shopify theme.
- Use Google PageSpeed Insights to check loading speed.
- Optimize images, remove annoying pop-ups, and enable lazy loading for a smoother experience.
3. Focusing Only on Revenue (Instead of Profit)
We see this all the time—even with experienced store owners. Revenue looks great on paper, but if your expenses eat up most of it, you’re not actually making money.
Metrics like net profit and customer lifetime value (LTV) tell you whether your business is truly sustainable.
Fix:
- Regularly check profitability reports, not just revenue.
- Compare net profit alongside revenue to get the full picture.
- Use tools like TrueProfit to track costs and net profit accurately.
4. Relying Too Much on Paid Ads
Paid ads (Google, Facebook, TikTok) bring fast traffic and sales, but they also come with risks.
Why?
- Ad performance is heavily dependent on platform algorithms.
- Once you stop spending, the traffic stops too.
- Rising Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC) can eat into profit margins.
Fix:
- Diversify your traffic sources (SEO, content marketing, organic social media).
- Keep an eye on ROAS & CAC—if CAC keeps rising, it’s time to rethink your strategy.
- Focus on customer retention (email marketing, loyalty programs) to turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.
5. Setting Prices Without a Strategy
Pricing isn’t just about undercutting competitors. If you price too low, you’ll kill your margins. Too high? You might scare off customers.
Fix:
- Know your costs: Factor in shipping, transaction fees, and ad spend.
- Test different prices: Run A/B tests to see what converts best.
- Price based on value, not just competition—highlight quality, brand trust, and uniqueness.
6. Weak Product Descriptions & Images
Your product pages sell for you when you’re not there. If your descriptions are vague and your images look unprofessional, potential customers will bounce before adding anything to their cart.
Fix:
- Follow Shopify’s guide to writing strong product descriptions.
- Use high-quality images & videos (close-ups, lifestyle shots, explainer videos).
- Add UGC (user-generated content) to build trust and improve conversion rates.
7. Trying to Do Everything Alone
Running a store solo can feel cost-effective, but it often leads to burnout, slow growth, and costly mistakes. If you spend all your time handling minor tasks, you won’t have time to actually grow your business.
Fix:
- Automate where possible: Use Shopify apps for order fulfillment, email marketing, and profit tracking.
- Outsource when needed: Hire freelancers for tasks like customer support or ad management.
- Focus on high-impact work: Spend your time on product research, branding, and long-term strategy.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let common mistakes hold you back! Avoiding them can save you time, money, and frustration. Keep learning, track your metrics, and build a thriving business now!
Have you faced any of these pitfalls? Share your experiences in the comments!