The 10 most common mistakes new ecommerce sellers make
Most new sellers make the same mistakes. They are avoidable, but only if you know what to look for. Here are the ten that cost the most money, time, and reputation.
Mistake 1: Buying inventory before testing demand
The first mistake is buying in bulk before you have proven that customers will pay. Test with small orders first. Every successful seller has a story about the inventory they bought and could not sell.
Mistake 2: Underestimating shipping and duty
The second mistake is pricing products without including the full landed cost. Shipping, duty, VAT, and fees all add up. If your price does not account for these, you are selling at a loss.
Mistake 3: Ignoring customer service
The third mistake is treating customer service as a cost rather than an investment. The best customers come back because someone answered their message quickly and solved their problem.
Mistake 4: Chasing trends instead of building a brand
The fourth mistake is chasing every new trend. Trends fade. Brands last. Focus on building something that customers trust.
Mistake 5: Poor product photography
The fifth mistake is using cheap or stolen images. Customers can tell. Invest in real photos — even if you use a phone and natural light. Authentic beats polished.
Mistake 6: No return policy
The sixth mistake is refusing returns. Customers buy more when they know they can return. A clear return policy increases sales more than it costs.
Mistake 7: Ignoring repeat customers
The seventh mistake is spending all your effort acquiring new customers and ignoring the ones you already have. Returning customers cost nothing to acquire and spend more per visit.
Mistake 8: Scaling before you are profitable
The eighth mistake is spending money to grow before the unit economics work. Growth multiplies whatever is there — if you are losing money per order, growth multiplies the losses.
Mistake 9: Trusting suppliers too easily
The ninth mistake is trusting a supplier without verifying them. Verify the factory, the licence, and the reviews. A bad supplier can destroy your business in weeks.
Mistake 10: Quitting too early
The tenth mistake is giving up in month three. Successful stores take 12-18 months to build. The ones that survive the first year are the ones that make it to the second.
Global products, delivered to your door.
Create a free account and start shopping curated products from around the world — delivered across Nigeria.
Get started — it's free