Are you making these e-commerce mistakes? 

The pandemic pushed many Brits to pack in their jobs and start an online business. Some were made redundant or furloughed and had to find a new income, while others realized their passions lay elsewhere and decided to chase their dreams. From bakeries and sweet shops to florists and candlemakers, the market is rife with young entrepreneurs.
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However, starting a business is one thing, but keeping it running and bringing in a healthy revenue is an entirely different ballgame. Between failing to research a target market, and choosing the cheapest platform available, there are plenty of mistakes to make, which could be the downfall of an inexperienced business owner. Here, we explore the most common pitfalls to avoid. 

Poor market research

​One of the biggest mistakes a new business owner can make is failing to research their market thoroughly. You can create a fantastic product or service, but if it’s not something which is needed or wanted, you’re going to struggle to drum up business.
Another important factor in market research is determining your niche. If you don’t define your product under a particular niche, you’re not going to be able to target a specific audience and market your product or service effectively. 

Incorrect target audience

​One of the most important steps in effective marketing is to target the right audience. This means putting your product or service in front of people who are likely to want or need it. Simply advertising your goods anywhere and hoping for the best will not achieve the sales you need to sustain your business.

Each of your marketing campaigns should be specifically designed to reach those who are most likely to be interested in your product. Targeting people outside of your specific audience wastes time, money and resources, which could be better spent on targeted adverts or search engine optimization.  

Improper tech stack

Starting an ecommerce platform is easy to do, however the ease with which it can be achieved can cause problems, especially as the needs of your business grow. When first starting out, it’s normal to be tempted by low-cost tech, but unfortunately not all platforms are created equally. Choosing the right platform in the early days may seem costly at first, but it will save the time, money and frustration spent on migrating to a new platform later. Quality, reliable integrations are vital when replatforming, so ensure you consult a professional developer if you need to take that path.

It’s crucial to choose the right platform for your business to ensure your customers find making a purchase quick and convenient, encouraging them to buy from you again in the future. Having adequate security is another important factor in choosing a suitable ecommerce platform. The last thing you want to deal with when trying to meet the demands of a popular online business is whether your system could be hacked and if your customers’ data is secure.