Shopify is one of the most popular platforms for creating online stores. It is convenient, scalable, and offers many useful features. However, when launching a store, many entrepreneurs make mistakes that hinder a successful start and further development of the business. Mistakes can lead to low sales, technical problems, and customer distrust.
To avoid this, it is important to understand the possible pitfalls in advance and prepare for the launch of the store correctly. In this guide, we will look at common mistakes that store owners make on Shopify and tell you how to prevent them.
Insufficient Market and Audience Research
Before launching a store, it is important to understand who your customers are, what their needs are, and how competitors work with this audience. If you do not do this, you can offer products that no one needs, or choose an ineffective promotion strategy.
To avoid this mistake, study your competitors: what they sell, what their prices are, and how they attract customers. This will help you stand out and create a store that will really interest customers.
Choosing the Wrong Plan
Shopify offers several plans, and new entrepreneurs often choose one that is too expensive, overpaying for unnecessary features, or too cheap, and running into limitations.
To choose the right plan, determine which features you really need. For example, if your store is focused on international sales, you may need Shopify Plus. If you’re just starting out, the Basic plan may be enough.
It’s important to consider transaction fees, available payment systems, and the ability to add additional tools.
Mistakes in Design and Theme Selection
The first impression of the store is formed in the first seconds after entering the site. If the design is inconvenient or overloaded with unnecessary elements, potential buyers may leave.
Common design mistakes:
- Too complex interface, making navigation difficult;
- Insufficiently contrasting text, making reading difficult;
- Lack of adaptation for mobile devices;
- Long page loading time.
The best option is to choose a lightweight, minimalist theme that will ensure user convenience and high site speed.
Ignoring SEO
Search engine optimization plays an important role in attracting free traffic. Many newbies do not pay attention to this, which is why their store remains invisible to search engines.
To avoid this mistake, it is important to:
- Use the right keywords in product titles and descriptions;
- Set up clear URLs;
- Add unique product descriptions;
- Improve page loading speed.
If SEO settings are done correctly, your store will attract more customers without additional advertising costs.
Overuse of Third-Party Apps
Shopify offers thousands of apps that add new features. However, installing too many plugins can slow down your site and cause technical glitches. Before installing an app, make sure it is really necessary. Check its rating, reviews, and compatibility with your Shopify version. The best option is to use only proven and truly useful plugins.
Poor Mobile Adaptation
Today, most users make purchases via smartphones. If your store is not optimized for mobile devices, you can lose a significant portion of customers. Check how the site looks on different devices, and test the ease of navigation, checkout, and page loading. Make sure the buttons are clickable and the text is readable.
Mistakes in Product Cards
Product pages are one of the main factors affecting conversion. Often, entrepreneurs use standard descriptions from suppliers or do not pay attention to the quality of photographs.
Good product cards should include:
- Detailed descriptions with benefits for the buyer;
- High-quality images that allow you to examine the product;
- Customer reviews confirming the reliability of the seller;
- Available payment and delivery methods.
If the product page does not provide the buyer with complete information, he may go to competitors.
Complex Checkout Process
Even if the customer has added the product to the cart, it does not mean that they will complete the purchase. If the checkout process is too complex, the buyer may change their mind.
How to make the checkout process convenient:
- Minimize the number of required fields;
- Allow checkout without registration;
- Add convenient payment methods (Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal);
- Clearly display the shipping cost before checkout.
If checkout is simple and fast, the number of completed purchases will increase.
Why Should You Contact Professionals?
Creating and setting up an online store requires experience. Even if you have thoroughly studied the platform, errors may appear during the work. To avoid problems and launch the store correctly from the very beginning, it is better to trust the professionals.
MageCloud is a Shopify development agency that will help you create and optimize a Shopify store. We will take care of the design, loading speed, SEO, security, and mobile adaptation. With our help, your store will work stably and bring profit.
Last Thoughts
Mistakes when launching a store on Shopify can lead to low sales and technical problems. However, if you take into account possible difficulties in advance and follow best practices, you can create a successful online store. By contacting MageCloud, you will save time and get a ready-made solution that will attract customers and ensure stable sales.
