Did you know that 90% of e-commerce businesses fail within their first 120 days?
The truth is, launching a successful e-commerce store isn’t just about picking a template and uploading your products. Many store owners make critical mistakes that can doom their business before it even gets off the ground.
Learning how to start an online store the right way means avoiding these common pitfalls. From technical setup blunders to security oversights, these mistakes can cost you customers, revenue, and credibility.
Ready to make sure your e-commerce store launch goes smoothly? We’ve identified the 5 most common mistakes new store owners make – and more importantly, how you can avoid them. Let’s dive in!
Technical Setup Mistakes to Avoid
Technical setup forms the foundation of your e-commerce store’s success. Let’s explore the three critical setup mistakes that could derail your e-commerce journey before it begins.
Incorrect Payment Gateway Configuration
Payment gateway issues can instantly halt your sales. Common configuration errors include incorrect API keys, missing credentials, and improper currency settings. To ensure smooth transactions:
- Verify your payment gateway status regularly
- Double-check API keys and credentials in Settings > Payments
- Configure multiple payment options for backup
- Test transactions before going live
Missing SSL Certificate Setup
While many online stores provide free SSL certificates, many store owners overlook proper implementation. Your SSL certificate ensures secure data transmission and customer trust. The certificate typically activates within 48 hours after adding a custom domain, but you might encounter an SSL Unavailable error during this period.
If SSL issues persist beyond 48 hours, check your browser cache or try accessing your store through a different browser. Remember, search engines prioritize secure websites, making SSL crucial for both security and SEO.
Improper Domain Connection
Domain connection errors can make your store inaccessible or cause security warnings. When connecting your domain to store platforms like reetail, pay attention to these critical DNS records:
- Set up the A record correctly
- Configure the AAAA record
- Establish proper CNAME records (these should point to domain names, never IP addresses)
Important: Always verify domain connections in your reetail dashboard after setup. Changes typically take up to 48 hours to propagate fully across the internet. During this time, monitor your store’s accessibility and SSL status to ensure everything transitions smoothly.
Remember to document all your technical configurations, including API keys and DNS settings, for future reference. This documentation proves invaluable when troubleshooting or making updates to your store’s technical infrastructure.
Product Page Optimization Errors
Your product pages are the virtual salespeople of your online store. Even with perfect technical setup, poor product page optimization can severely impact your conversion rates.
Poor Product Image Quality
Image quality can make or break your online store’s success. 38% of a webpage’s weight comes from unoptimized images on mobile devices. Beyond just looking good, your product images need to load quickly while maintaining clarity. Ensure your product images are:
- Properly sized (2048 x 2048 px for square images)
- Compressed without quality loss
- Optimized for both desktop and mobile viewing
- Clear enough to support zoom functionality
Incomplete Product Descriptions
Writing product descriptions isn’t just about listing features – it’s about selling an experience. 20% of purchase failures occur due to missing or unclear product information. Your descriptions should inform and persuade while supporting SEO efforts. Focus on creating unique descriptions for each product that highlight specific benefits and solve customer problems.
Missing Size Charts and Specifications
Here’s a startling fact: 28% of online apparel returns are due to sizing issues. Implementing comprehensive size charts isn’t optional – it’s essential for reducing returns and building customer confidence. Your size charts should include:
- Detailed measurement guides
- Clear sizing comparisons
- Product-specific specifications
- Material composition details
Remember, customers can’t physically interact with your products. Each missing specification or unclear detail creates doubt, and doubt kills conversions. By addressing these three critical areas of product page optimization, you’ll create a more trustworthy and conversion-friendly shopping experience.
Checkout Process Problems
The checkout process is where your store’s success ultimately hangs in the balance. According to research, a staggering 69.57% of online shopping carts are abandoned, often due to preventable checkout issues.
Complex Checkout Forms
The average checkout flow contains almost 12 form fields by default, yet research shows most stores only need 8 essential fields. This unnecessary complexity leads to 18% of shopping cart abandonments. To streamline your checkout process:
- Collect only essential information (name, billing address, payment details)
- Enable Google Autocomplete for addresses (20% faster than manual entry)
- Offer guest checkout options (reduces 34% of abandonments)
- Implement real-time field validation
Limited Payment Options
Did you know that 11% of shoppers abandon their carts simply because their preferred payment method isn’t available? Modern consumers expect flexibility in how they pay. Your online store should offer:
- Traditional methods (credit/debit cards)
- Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay)
- Shopping apps (Shop Pay, PayPal)
- Buy now, pay later options (Shop Pay Installments, Klarna)
Businesses implementing multiple payment options have reported up to 21% increase in average order value and significantly lower cart abandonment rates.
Missing Order Confirmation Emails
Order confirmation emails aren’t just receipts – they’re crucial touchpoints in your customer journey. Yet many store owners overlook proper email setup and customization. Your confirmation emails should:
Be immediate and automated to build trust Include all relevant order details and tracking information Feature your brand voice and styling Provide clear next steps or additional information links
Mobile Optimization Oversights
With mobile commerce projected to generate $620.97 billion in sales by 2024, overlooking mobile optimization is a costly mistake for new store owners. Luckily reetail is mobile optimized out of the box.
Unresponsive Design Elements
Mobile responsiveness isn’t just about shrinking your desktop site. 53% of mobile users abandon sites that take longer than three seconds to load, yet many store owners fail to properly optimize their responsive design. Key mobile statistics show:
- 60% of all ecommerce sales come from mobile devices
- Average mobile load times are 70.9% slower than desktop
- 40% of users abandon sites with poor mobile optimization
- Responsive sites rank higher in Google search results
Poor Touch Navigation
Touch navigation requires special consideration for mobile users. The minimum clickable area should be 48×48 pixels to accommodate average finger sizes. Common touch navigation mistakes include cramped menu items, insufficient button spacing, and reliance on hover effects that don’t work on mobile devices.
Interactive elements need adequate spacing to prevent accidental taps. Form fields and inputs should be simplified to minimize clicks on mobile devices. Consider implementing features like accordion menus to save space while maintaining access to valuable information.
For optimal mobile performance, ensure your product images automatically adjust to screen sizes and maintain clarity without compromising load times. Remember that mobile users expect quick, intuitive navigation – every extra tap or scroll increases the likelihood of abandonment.
Store Security Vulnerabilities
Security breaches cost e-commerce businesses an average of $46,000 per incident, making robust security measures crucial for your reetail store’s survival.
Weak Password Policies
Over 23 million accounts were compromised due to weak passwords like “123456”. Your store’s security begins with strong password policies. Implement these essential requirements:
- Minimum 12-character length
- Combination of uppercase and lowercase letters
- Include numbers and special characters
- Regular password updates (every 3-4 months)
- Two-factor authentication for all admin accounts
Remember to limit login attempts and implement CAPTCHA verification to prevent brute-force attacks. According to recent data, 30% of data breaches occur due to weak passwords or human error.
Missing Backup Systems
Reetail’s platform security is robust, but store owners are responsible for their data security. Implement the proven 3-2-1 backup strategy: maintain three copies of your data, store them on two different types of media, and keep one copy off-site.
Regular backups should include:
- Product content and images
- Customer information
- Order history
- Theme customizations
- App configurations
Conclusion
Starting an online store requires careful attention to multiple critical areas. Each mistake discussed – from technical setup issues to security vulnerabilities – can significantly impact your store’s success and bottom line.
Success in e-commerce demands excellence across all aspects of your online store. Proper technical configuration creates a solid foundation, optimized product pages drive sales, streamlined checkout processes reduce abandonment rates, mobile responsiveness reaches more customers, and robust security measures protect your business.
Make these essential elements part of your regular store maintenance routine. Regular audits of these five key areas will help identify potential issues before they affect your business. Remember – a successful reetail store results from careful planning, proper implementation, and consistent monitoring of all critical components.
Image Source: AI Generated