Glossary of Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
CLTV (Customer Lifetime Value) | The predicted net profit attributed to the entire future relationship with a customer. |
CRO (Conversion Rate Optimization) | The process of increasing the percentage of website visitors who take a desired action. |
AOV (Average Order Value) | The average dollar amount a customer spends during a single transaction. |
SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) | A unique identifier for each product or item for sale. |
Bounce Rate | The percentage of visitors who leave a site after viewing only one page. |
ADA/WCAG Compliance | Accessibility standards for websites to be usable by individuals with disabilities. |
Re-engagement Campaign | A strategy used to win back inactive or lapsed subscribers and customers. |
Table of contents
Introduction

Running an eCommerce business is more than just setting up a site and listing products. It’s a constant balancing act between technology, marketing, customer experience, and backend operations. Small mistakes snowball quickly—and in a competitive market, they can cost you millions in lost revenue, loyalty, and brand trust.
Let’s unpack the 13 most common eCommerce mistakes, why they matter, and how to fix them fast—with tools, stats, and proven strategies.
1. Not Backing Up Your Data
Why It’s a Problem:
Accidental data loss can take your store offline, erase customer history, or ruin product listings.
How to Fix It:
- Use apps like Rewind.io to schedule regular, automatic backups.
- Create a weekly backup checklist for critical assets: product pages, theme changes, customer data.
Suggested Table:
Backup Item | Frequency | Tool |
---|---|---|
Customer Orders | Daily | Rewind.io |
Product Catalog | Weekly | Shopify Admin Export |
Theme Changes | After every edit | GitHub/Shopify CLI |
2. Poor Customer Service Tools
Why It’s a Problem:
Customers expect fast, empathetic support. Delays and miscommunications cost you trust—and conversions.
How to Fix It:
- Use tools like Gorgias or Zendesk to centralize communications.
- Add live chat and automated responses for FAQs.
- Track and optimize your response time. Aim for under 1 hour.
3. Weak SEO Strategy
Why It’s a Problem:
If no one can find your store organically, you’re paying for every click—forever.
How to Fix It:
- Perform keyword research using Ahrefs or SEMRush.
- Prioritize long-tail keywords tied to buyer intent.
- Build internal linking structures between blog → product → collection pages.
Image Suggestion:
Diagram of on-page SEO hierarchy (Title > H1 > H2 > Alt Text > Meta Description).
4. Poor Inventory and Warehouse Management
Why It’s a Problem:
Missed orders, delayed shipments, or overselling leads to cancellations and refunds.
How to Fix It:
- Use inventory tools like ShipBob, Skubana, or Cin7.
- Track inventory in real-time.
- Sync inventory across all sales channels.
5. Over-emailing (Spamming)
Why It’s a Problem:
Too many irrelevant emails drive unsubscribes and spam reports.
How to Fix It:
- Segment your list with Klaviyo: New vs. Repeat vs. Dormant.
- Use behavior-triggered automations, not manual blasts.
- Limit to 2–3 campaigns/week per segment unless seasonal.
6. Unclear Sizing Information
Why It’s a Problem:
Inconsistent sizing leads to high return rates and customer dissatisfaction.
How to Fix It:
- Add detailed measurement charts and fit descriptions.
- Use diverse model photos for each size.
- Incorporate tools like Fit Finder or True Fit.
7. Using the Wrong Platform
Why It’s a Problem:
A clunky, unscalable platform can tank site speed and UX.
How to Fix It:
- For scalability and UX, migrate to Shopify Plus or BigCommerce.
- Replatform gradually with proper SEO redirects to retain ranking.
8. Neglecting Software Updates
Why It’s a Problem:
Outdated code is a cybersecurity risk and may cause bugs.
How to Fix It:
- Set quarterly reviews for app updates.
- Work with an agency to handle theme maintenance and liquid code compliance.
9. Lack of Accessibility
Why It’s a Problem:
Excludes potential buyers and can lead to legal issues.
How to Fix It:
- Use accessibility scanners (like WAVE or Axe).
- Ensure all images have alt text.
- Enable keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility.
10. Bad GEO IP Redirects
Why It’s a Problem:
Auto-redirecting users without choice disrupts UX and lowers conversion.
How to Fix It:
- Replace auto-redirects with modals that ask for location preference.
- Store this in cookies for future visits.
11. Bad Translations
Why It’s a Problem:
Inaccurate translations confuse or offend international customers.
How to Fix It:
- Use native translators or Weglot, Langify, and Crowdin.
- Adapt copy to local culture, not just language.
12. Underutilizing Shopify’s App Ecosystem
Why It’s a Problem:
Missing out on easy gains in loyalty, personalization, and conversion.
Fix:
Category | App | Use Case |
---|---|---|
Loyalty | Yotpo, LoyaltyLion | Retain top customers |
Subscription | Recharge | Enable recurring revenue |
Search | Klevu, Algolia | Improve product discovery |
13. Ignoring Cultural Differences
Why It’s a Problem:
International customers have different expectations, holidays, and habits.
How to Fix It:
- Tailor content for major regions (e.g., Singles Day in China, Black Friday in US).
- Use regional influencers.
- Offer local payment methods with Stripe, Adyen, or Mollie.
Top Mistakes by Funnel Stage
Funnel Stage | Mistake | Fix |
---|---|---|
Awareness | Generic SEO | Focus on long-tail, informational content |
Consideration | No social proof | Add reviews and testimonials |
Conversion | Long checkout process | Simplify with one-page checkout, express pay |
Post-Purchase | No re-engagement | Use post-purchase flows and loyalty incentives |
FAQs
1. What’s the #1 mistake new eCommerce brands make?
Ignoring SEO and relying entirely on paid traffic. Organic visibility is essential for sustainable growth.
2. How often should I audit my eCommerce store?
Quarterly is ideal—check everything from UX to SEO, inventory flow, and email engagement.
3. Should I be on Shopify or WooCommerce?
If you’re scaling fast and need simplicity, go with Shopify. WooCommerce suits brands with heavy dev support and content-first strategies.
4. What tools help prevent abandoned carts?
Klaviyo (email), Postscript (SMS), and Justuno (exit-intent popups) are great tools to recover revenue.
5. How do I improve site speed?
Compress images, remove unused apps, and use lazy loading. Google PageSpeed Insights will show you specific fixes.
6. Is it worth offering store credit over refunds?
Yes. Store credit encourages repurchase and increases CLTV. Just ensure it’s easy to redeem.
Final Thoughts
Avoiding these common eCommerce mistakes isn’t just about preventing loss—it’s about unlocking new growth. Every friction point removed is another opportunity to earn trust, win conversions, and build long-term brand equity.
Whether you’re launching or scaling, auditing your store through this lens will position you for higher profits, stronger loyalty, and sustainable growth.
Need a team to help implement this? At Blossom Ecom, we specialize in CRO, retention, and conversion-first design that doesn’t compromise on brand. Let’s optimize your store—one mistake at a time.
Need help implementing this?
Let us take the hassle of managing your email marketing channel off your hands. Book a strategy call with our team today and see how we can scale your revenue, customer retention, and lifetime value with tailored strategies. Click here to get started.
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