I built a store that I have not launched yet but am looking for some feedback. I have already been burnt with amazon and I do not want to repeat same mistakes. My site is www.miacaura.com Please if anybody can help. Thank you
Topic summary
A pre-launch Shopify store owner seeks feedback on miacaura.com, a lifestyle/cosmetics site, after previous setbacks with Amazon.
Technical Performance Issues:
- Mobile performance score of 51/100 with slow load times (14.7s LCP, 8.3s FCP)
- Banner images in PNG format need conversion to WebP/AVIF
- Lazy loading incorrectly applied to banner; should use preloading instead
- CSS optimization needed to reduce main thread work
SEO Concerns:
- H1 tags exist only as JSON strings in script tags, not properly parsed
- Missing alt text on several key images
- Favicon absent and store name not displaying correctly in Google search results
- SEO score is strong at 100/100
Design & UX Recommendations:
- Font weight too light for store name and navigation links, affecting readability
- Menu hover color (white) creates poor contrast on light backgrounds
- Product images only appear on hover, potentially confusing customers
- Hero banner text/CTA button too small; consider sticky header for easier navigation
- Announcement bar lacks clickable link to newsletter signup
Missing Trust Elements:
- No customer reviews, testimonials, or trust badges visible
- Brand story unclearâcategories span pets, fitness, and skincare without cohesive messaging
- Need clearer shipping/return policies and FAQ visibility
Marketing Opportunities:
- Implement upselling/cross-selling in slider cart (e.g., bundled skincare sets)
- Build email list and consider affiliate marketing before launch
- Embed product demo videos for higher engagement
- Add progress bars showing proximity to free shipping thresholds
Multiple respondents recommend specific apps for optimization, reviews, and affiliate management. Overall consensus: strong foundation with good SEO, but needs performance optimization and trust-building elements before launch.
Hii @miacaura , I checked your store; overall, the design is good, but you have used a very light font even for the store name and page links. I prefer to find the best font for each section, as per your store. I also tested your store using Google Page Insights Report, and below are the results derived from the report.
Performance Scores ( Mobile)
Overall Performance Score - 51
LCP - 14.7 s
FCP - 8.3 s
TBT - 280 ms
Speed Index - 9.1 s
CLS - 0.015
SEO Score - 100
Your SEO score is amazing as it helps customers find you on search engines, but your performance score is bad. Your store is taking too time to load, which leads to losing customers as they are not able to access the store quickly. So I recommend optimizing the store by using the following strategies.
Image Format Not Optimized
As per the analysis, your main banner image is in PNG format, which is the highest quality of image, and takes time to load.
Suggested Improvements
Using Next Gen Format for Images
Convert all the images into WebP or AVIF format as per your requirement as your store is related to beauty products, I recommend trying AVIF format, especially for the banner image.
Preload Banner Image
You have done the lazy loading for the banner image, which might be the cause of the load delay in your image. Remove the lazy loading from the banner image, apply this only for javascript , css, and other elements that are not required in the initial loading of the store. Apply preloading for the important resources like banner images
For example -
Main Thread Work Issues
Your storeâs javascript time parsing, compiling, and execution is creating a loading time delay.
Suggested Improvements
Split Large JavaScript Files
Large JavaScript files can slow down the initial page load as the entire file needs to be parsed and executed. Breaking down large files into smaller, modular pieces allows for better performance and quicker loading.
Example (using WebPack)
// webpack.config.js
module.exports = {
entry: {
main: â./src/index.jsâ,
vendor: â./src/vendor.jsâ
},
output: {
filename: â[name].bundle.jsâ
},
optimization: {
splitChunks: {
chunks: âallâ
}
}
};
Optimize CSS Selectors
Inefficient CSS selectors can add additional work to the main thread, especially if you have large stylesheets. I recommend avoiding overly general or complex selectors (like .main-content div ul li a:hover). Additionally, using inline styles for large layout shifts can force the browser to recalculate styles repeatedly. Instead of using inline styles, try adding styles in CSS files, which the browser can manage more efficiently.
Alternatively, if you do not want to go deep down in the developer things, Try Website Speedy- Optimization app for Shopify. It is easy to set up and comes with a 14-day free trial, and it optimizes your site by applying the above process automatically.
Hello @miacaura
I really love your store style and UI design, very attractive and outstanding. As an SEO APP provider, I can give you some feedbacks on store on the basis of SEO and let you optimize page content in a better way. Come and take a look here please~
- There exist H1 tag on your store backend after checking, but they refer to JSON strings inside tags and they are not H1 in real, as it is not parsed correctly. It is better to contact your theme developer and parse it properly, so that Google can get your page structures in a better way.
- Double-check your store alt text if they are added completely. I have noticed some crucial images on your store lacking of alt text contents. It is suggested to add them completely, as Google will read your image meanings via Alt Text. I have listed three of them after my checking, but you had better fully check all the necessary images and see if they have alt texts properly.
https://miacaura.com/cdn/shop/files/Untitled_design_1.png?v=1751109322&width=3840
https://miacaura.com/cdn/shop/files/img_with_text.png?v=1751194250&width=3840
https://miacaura.com/cdn/shop/files/imgwithtxt2.png?height=1000&v=1751196624
- When searching on Google, I notice your store favicon is missing and the store name is not added properly. Please add the favicon from Shopify customize page and update the store name from URL to brand name.
By the way, it is happy to know you manage to optimize store in a further way before launching the store. If you would like to let store have better performance, you can consider store SEO Check regularly and see if meet standard or not. After doing so, you can know the page status immediately and adjust accordingly to get more sales and higher conversion in the future. Cheers!
Hi @miacaura ! Itâs Tracy here from BON Loyalty, the essential customer loyalty solution for growing Shopify businesses.
Iâve had a look at your website, and itâs truly impressive. Your branding feels cozy and beautiful, with a clean, elegant, and wellness-focused aesthetic. That said, I have a few recommendations that could help further enhance your website.
1. Add a Link to Your Announcement Bar
Your announcement bar shares a compelling message, but currently, it doesnât contain a clickable link. Adding a direct link to your newsletter sign-up section would help guide users and remove any confusion when they try to interact with it.
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2. Enhance the Hero Banner Text and CTA
The text and CTA button in your hero section are beautifully designed, but they appear a bit small. Increasing their size will help draw more attention and improve clarity, especially on larger screens. You might also consider updating the CTA to something more emotionally engaging, like âDiscover Your Glow,â to better reflect your brand voice.
3. Use a sticky header for easier navigation
Implementing a sticky header can significantly improve the user experience, especially on mobile. It allows customers to access your main navigation at any point without having to scroll back to the top, which can lead to higher engagement and lower bounce rates.
4. Add testimonials for social proof
Incorporating customer testimonials on your site is a great way to build trust and credibility. Real voices help potential customers relate and feel more confident about making a purchase, especially when they see others having a positive experience with your products.
I hope this advice helps improve your websiteâs performance. Keep up the great work on your site!
Hi @miacaura
I visited miacaura.com and your site already has a good foundationâa clean design, clear categories in your menu, and that âJoin our newsletter & get 10% off!â pop-up is a nice touch to capture interest early. Still, since this is a pre-launch and you want to avoid missteps, here are some thoughtful tweaks to polish it further:
1. Improve Typography for Readability
The fonts youâre using are delicate and elegantâbut they lean very light, especially for key elements like your store name and navigation links. Consider switching to a slightly bolder font weight so people can read them easily, particularly on mobile or in brighter settings.
2. Clarify Your Brand Story & Value
Your navigation includes broad categories like Pets, Gym & Fitness, Skincareâbut itâs not immediately clear what Miacaura offers. Is it a lifestyle store blending wellness and pet care? Adding a short tagline (like âHolistic Lifestyle Goods & Pet Careâ) or a brief hero statement could help visitors understand your brand quickly.
3. Add Trust Signals and Social Proof
I didnât notice any reviews or trust badges yet. Even early testimonials, trust seals, or product highlights (e.g., âAward-Winning Pet Accessoriesâ) can go a long way in reassuring first-time visitors.Customers are more likely to purchase when they trust the store. You should add product reviews using a tool like ShopReviews â Product Reviews - ShopReviews - Boost your sales with product reviews | Shopify App Store, which makes collecting and displaying real customer feedback seamless
4. Organize for Better Flow
Your homepage moves from the newsletter popup straight to product collections. Consider adding a curated âFeaturedâ section near the topâsuch as bestsellers or editor picks. This creates a smoother shopping experience and guides visitors toward whatâs important.
5. Make Policies Easy to Discover
Your site does have essential pages like About, FAQ, Shipping, Privacy, and Returns tucked into the footer (via Terms & Services page) miacauraâbut itâs helpful to ensure theyâre individually listed. This makes the site feel more transparent and customer-focused.
âJoin our newsletter & get 10% offâ is solid marketingâbut making the offer feel more exclusive can add urgency. Something like âSign up now for 10% off & early access to new collections!â can make visitors feel like theyâre part of something special.
If youâre also selling on Etsy, consider using an app like Etsy Integration â ShopList - ShopList - seamless integration between Shopify and Etsy | Shopify App Store . It lets you sync your products and orders between Shopify and Etsy automatically, saving time and helping you manage inventory more efficientlyâperfect for handmade or customized products like yours.
Best Regards,
Waytoapps
Hey,
Iâve noticed a few things that could make the user experience a lot smoother and help increase conversions.
First, the menu font color is a bit tricky. When you hover over the menu, the font turns white, which makes it hard to read, especially on light backgrounds. Consider changing the hover effect to something with higher contrast so itâs easier to navigate.
Another thing I noticed is that the product images on the collection page only appear when you hover over them. While this may look sleek, it could confuse customers and make them miss out on seeing the full product. It might be a good idea to make the images always visible or ensure they load right away so people can quickly see whatâs being offered.
Youâve also got a slider cart, which is great! But you can definitely take it further by using that cart to upsell or cross-sell products. For example, if someone adds a moisturizer to their cart, you could suggest a related serum or mask. A progress bar in the slider cart could also work well, showing customers how close they are to free shipping or a discount.
Lastly, consider implementing product bundling. In the cosmetics world, customers love to buy sets, whether itâs skincare routines or makeup kits. Bundling products and offering a slight discount for buying them together can really increase your average order value.
If youâre looking for a quick and easy way to implement upsells and product bundles, an app like iCart can help you do that without a lot of effort. Itâs a great way to improve the cart experience and add upselling features to boost sales.
Overall, your site has great potential, and with a few adjustments, I think youâll be able to drive conversions. Best of luck with your launch!
Hi @miacaura,
Your storeâs strengths are it has outstanding SEO performance, it has solid store design and detailed FAQâs. Embed YouTube videos on your Shopify product pages to showcase demos, unboxings, and customer reviews right below the product media for higher engagement and trust. You donât necessarily need any code to embed YouTube videos. You can just paste a YouTube link in your blog and make it italic and it will into a video. Thanks to EmbedAny Shopify app. It works not just for YouTube but for 800+ sites, including Instagram, TikTok etc. Take a free trial tour at: https://apps.shopify.com/embed
Thanks
Hey @miacaura
Your site looks clean and has a nice flow, definitely feels like youâve put effort into avoiding the common mistakes many of us made early on. A couple of things that might help before launch: make sure your product pages have strong, trust-building elements like reviews, FAQs, and clear shipping/return info. Also, consider simplifying the homepage so the value of your brand and products shows instantly.
On the marketing side, donât wait until launch day to build buzz. Even a small email list or affiliate push can help you get traction early. Tools like UpPromote are useful for setting up affiliates who can drive that initial traffic without heavy ad spend.
Best,
Moeed
Hi @miacaura,
Iâm really sorry to hear about your experience with Amazon - but remember, every setback is a lesson, and often after stumbling, you come back stronger. ![]()
I took a look at your store, and itâs truly impressive. Everything feels well put together, and itâs clear youâve invested a lot of effort into it. A few suggestions: Iâd recommend adjusting the hover color on your menu so it stands out more â right now itâs hard to see clearly. Your images are good, but some could benefit from higher quality for sharper display (the testimonial section is one example). On your Trending Cosmetics section, try aligning product titles or limiting them to three lines with ellipses (âŚ) so they donât stretch awkwardly. On product pages, the sticky add-to-cart isnât displaying well if the title is too long, so thatâs something to refine.
Beyond design, donât forget the other key pieces:
- Trust-building: Add customer reviews, clear return policies, and social proof to reassure new visitors.
- SEO: Optimize your product titles, descriptions, and images so your store shows up in search results.
- Marketing: Explore cost-efficient strategies like affiliate or referral marketing. Many brands work with influencers or even past customers to spread the word - apps like UpPromote can help streamline this approach.
Youâre already on a great path - polish these details, and I believe your store has strong potential. Wishing you much success on this new journey! ![]()




