A new store owner (nkinds.com) selling high-quality Japanese apparel materials is struggling to generate sales despite running Instagram and Google ad campaigns. They’re seeking advice on improving their store and conversion rates.
Key recommendations from the community:
Site performance issues: Multiple users identified slow loading times as a critical problem. Google PageSpeed scores are low due to LCP (Largest Contentful Paint) elements and third-party code. Optimizing images with lazy-loading and reducing unnecessary plugins is recommended.
Homepage clarity: Simplify the above-the-fold message with a clear headline explaining what’s sold and why it matters. Remove clutter and add a prominent call-to-action button.
Trust signals: Add customer reviews, testimonials (even from testers), clear shipping/return policies, and consider review apps to import social proof from platforms like Amazon.
Niche targeting: Since the products serve a specialized B2B/B2C audience (artisans, designers, textile professionals), generic ads may not work. Instead, engage niche sewing/DIY communities, partner with micro-influencers in fashion/textiles, and consider offering sample packs or bulk pricing.
Technical SEO: Fix truncated meta descriptions in Google Search results and improve overall site speed.
Post-purchase experience: Implement branded order tracking and automated shipping updates to build trust and reduce support inquiries.
The store owner responded positively to all feedback and is committed to implementing these changes.
Hi everyone,
I have just launched a online store, nkinds.com.
As expected, I haven’t much sales yet. I’m a very new to the online store and would appreciate it if you give me any guidance as to how to increase sales.
I tried Instagram ad campaign and Google campaign, none of which led to sales much despite some money spent.
I understand that I missed tons of things on my home page and really appreciate your advice!!
Thank you in advance!
NKinds
Hello @NKinds
Getting those first sales often comes down to two things: bringing in the right people and giving them a clear reason to buy once they arrive. Your ads are only half the battle if your homepage and trust signals aren’t there. Here’s what I would suggest:
1. Refine your targeting and offer
Ask yourself who your ideal customer is and what problem you’re solving for them. Tweak your ad audiences to match that persona (age, interests, behaviors) and lead with a strong headline or discount that speaks directly to their need.
2. Simplify your homepage message
Above the fold, make it crystal-clear what you sell and why it matters. Use a bold headline, a single “Shop now” button, and a hero image that shows your product in action. Remove any clutter or competing calls to action.
3. Add social proof fast
Even with zero sales, you can showcase trust. Install Kudosi Reviews to pull in testimonials, star ratings, or product reviews quotes (you can import them from product page page via Amazon, AliExpress, Temu, and more). Seeing other people love your product makes visitors far more likely to buy.
4. Capture and nurture visitors
Put a simple email popup on your site offering 10% off their first order. Then send a welcome email series with product highlights, customer stories, and that same discount code to coax them back.
5. Optimize your checkout flow
Run a test purchase yourself on mobile and desktop. Make sure your cart and checkout load quickly, display clear shipping costs, and require as few steps as possible. Every extra field or surprise fee is a drop-off point.
Give each recommendation here a week to take effect, track your Google Analytics and Shopify reports for where people drop off, and iteratively tweak until you start seeing those first conversions.
Also, when I check your page, it’s a bit slow so you can try to some SEO apps to help it load faster. The number 1 reason people bounce instead of buying is simply the website takes too long to load. Hope this helps!
Hi @NKinds
I have checked your website just now and would like to share some ideas to increase sales with you. You can have a look here and see if they work on the store end. Thank you!
Apart from the ideas I shared above, you can also use this tool to do an SEO check casually, and it can provide you with a fulfilled result containing all necessary elements on website whether meet demand of SEO and exist further place to do optimization on the website. By using this tool with three ideas together, I believe you will make more sales in the future. Cheers!
Hey! Big congrats on launching your store. That’s already a huge step and yes, it’s super common to not get sales right away, so don’t stress.
I checked out nkinds.com and you’re off to a great start! Since you’ve already tried some ads, maybe now focus on building more trust + making it easier for people to ask questions.
A few ideas that can help:
Don’t be discouraged! We’ve all been there in the beginning. Keep testing small changes and stay consistent. You’re 100% on the right track.
Hi there @NKinds . Since your store is specialty B2B/B2C supply store for high-quality Japanese apparel materials, I assume that you’re targeting artisans, designers, and makers those deeply care about the craftmanship, sustainability and quality in their work.
I’d not have many comments about the store design for now, but your product’s kinda deeply niche with professional buyers, so conversion is naturally slower and more trust-based. Your target buyer isn’t impulse buying: they’ll be researching, comparing, and often buying in small test batches 
IG or Google Ads targeting general shoppers will likely burn your budget at this moment. Instead, you can consider reaching out to niche sewing/DIY communities or partner with micro-creators in fashion/textile industry, or small-batch designers or textile artists to test your products and give real feedback you can feature.
Meanwhile, you can improve the trust signal for your online store by creating blog/resource hub for such niche buyers, collect real-life testimonials from previous B2B customers to build confidence for your future store visitors. Other practices like offering a sample pack or bulk pricing tiers & making it clearer if you support larger orders (even a B2B section like “For Studios & Workshops”).
You may not need a louder homepage, but another approach with targeted, educated traffic and subtle nudges that build trust over time. Good luck!
Hi Joelmavis,
Thank you very much for your reply! Can you imagine how helpful your response was? I was somewhat discouraged with only few sales thus far but your comments appeased my anxiety so much!
I’ll definitely check out Ailead and, yes, I’ll keep going!
Thank you again!!
Hi Kudosi-Carlos,
Thank you very much for your detailed insights.
I’m learning a lot and will make sure to take prudent approach to all of your points in your comment
I’ve just started my store and understand that I have a lot to digest, but I think I’m more encouraged by responses like yours! So thank you!!
Dear SEOAnt-Jeffery,
First of all, thank you very much for your detailed analysis on my store. I’m a first timer and still a beginner, so I have a lot to learn and digest.
I’ll make sure to take steps on what you pointed out and improve the store, including loading time, meta description, and LCP elements (to tell you the truth, I need to learn and familiarize myself with more about those terminologies first).
Thank you again for your help!!
Hi ShizaRizwan,
Thank you very much for your encouraging comments. Yes, I was somewhat discouraged with only few sales from the beginning, but your comment, “You’re 100% on the right track” means a lot to me now. Your comments help me keep going and encourage me to strive to improve my store.
Thank you again!!!
Hi PieLab,
Thank you very much for your expert inputs. Your insights are more conceptual and fundamental where I probably lack a lot and your comments help me recapitulate what I might have been missing in building my store.
I’ll double check the concepts and revisit your points. Everything you said was very critical and important and I’ll read and re-read thousands of times down the road.
So, thank you very much!
Hello @NKinds
I’m delighted to know that you’re eager to learn and take steps to improve the store. Let’s build up a better store together, and you can also feel free to let me know more details about what you learn if there are any questions. Cheers!
Hi @NKinds ,
Big congrats again on launching your store. Just wanted to check in, how are things going so far? Have you made a few early sales, or are you still in that quiet stage?
I had a look at nkinds.com and based on your note and what others have shared, here are a few things that might help:
1. Clarify your offer above the fold
Right now the homepage has a calm, minimal feel, which works, but you could sharpen the message so first-time visitors quickly understand what you’re offering and who it’s for. Try a short headline that captures what sets your products apart, plus a strong “Shop now” button in the top section.
2. Add more social proof and reassurance
If you haven’t already, consider adding customer reviews or testimonials, even if they’re from friends, testers, or early buyers. It helps new visitors feel more confident. Also: clear shipping, return, and contact info in the footer can do a lot to build trust.
3. Make the post-purchase experience feel just as thoughtful
One thing new stores often miss is the customer experience after someone clicks the "buy” button. If you’re fulfilling orders manually or using small carriers, you can improve trust and reduce “where’s my order?” emails by adding branded tracking and clear delivery updates.
I recommend apps like ParcelPanel Order Tracking that let you customize the tracking page to match your brand and send automated updates, or Parcel Panel Returns &Exchange to handle return or exchange requests.
If that’s something you’d want to try, let me know! We’d love to offer you a 30-day free trial to help you get set up smoothly.
We’re confident these tools can make a real difference in how your store builds trust post-purchase
