In the world of e-commerce, setting up a Shopify store can be an exciting venture. However, many merchants fall into common traps that hinder their success. In this special episode of Talk Commerce, I sit down with Chase Clymer, the expert climber of all things Shopify, to discuss the most common mistakes merchants make when setting up their online stores and how to avoid them.
Overinvesting in Customizations Too Early
One of the biggest mistakes merchants make is overinvesting in customizations when their store is not ready for it. Chase emphasizes this point, stating:
“If your store is doing under a million, you could even argue under 5 million. You don’t need a custom theme. This is maybe controversial to some shops out there. But I think that over investing in design is more appealing to a brand’s founder, especially one that’s a design-oriented creative. And it doesn’t really add much to your bottom line.”
Instead of focusing on expensive customizations early on, Chase recommends investing in marketing and customer acquisition. Your resources are better spent on driving traffic and sales to your store.
Poor User Experience (UX) Choices
Another common pitfall is making poor UX choices, either due to a lack of expertise or understanding of the customer journey. Chase points out several areas where merchants often stumble:
“Navigation is always, always bad. It’s like the first thing I can see, I’m like, who built this site? I could tell that they didn’t know what they’re doing. The way the navigation is set up for an eCommerce store. Additionally, sorting and filtering is often overlooked. And then it’s 2024 now. And I still have to have conversations about mobile optimization with people.”
To avoid these mistakes, it’s crucial to work with an expert who understands the intricacies of e-commerce UX and can help optimize your store for conversions.
Neglecting Content Strategy
Content is king, and neglecting it can be detrimental to your Shopify store’s success. Chase emphasizes the importance of investing in high-quality content:
“When we talk about content, oftentimes when I’m having conversations with merchants about designing new stores, content comes up and I’ll send them examples and they’re like, that looks great. This looks great. That looks great. And I’m like, yeah, you want all these things have in common is they have great content. They have awesome imagery. They have great copy. They have good video.”
Beyond visuals, Chase also stresses the significance of written content, such as telling your brand’s story and having a robust blogging strategy. These elements help build trust with your customers and establish your expertise in your niche.
In conclusion, setting up a successful Shopify store requires careful planning and avoiding common mistakes. By focusing on the right investments, prioritizing UX, and developing a strong content strategy, you can set your store up for long-term success. As Chase Clymer reminds us, it’s essential to work with experts who can guide you through the process and help you optimize your store for conversions.
To dive deeper into this topic and gain more valuable insights, be sure to listen to the full episode of Talk Commerce featuring Chase Clymer. His expertise and practical advice will help you navigate the world of Shopify and take your online store to new heights.
