Help! My Online Store Has No Sales – 10 Troubleshooting Tips to Turn It Around

You’ve built your online store, added products, even driven some traffic… but the sales just aren’t coming. It’s one of the most frustrating situations for an e-commerce entrepreneur. The good news is, you’re not alone – many store owners have faced the “no sales” slump, and there are concrete steps you can take to diagnose the issues and start converting visitors into customers.

In this guide, we’ll walk through 10 troubleshooting tips to help you pinpoint why your online store has no (or very few) sales and how to fix it. Think of it as a checklist to systematically go through your store’s funnel from attracting the right visitors, to building trust on your site, to making the checkout process seamless. By the end, you should have actionable ideas to turn that concerning silence of no sales into the ding of a new order notification.

Let’s jump in with tip #1.

1. Evaluate Your Traffic Quality (Are You Targeting the Right Audience?)It’s possible your store doesn’t have a sales problem so much as a traffic problem. Or more precisely, a mismatch between your product and the people visiting. If you’re getting traffic but zero sales, ask: - Are these visitors actually interested in what I’m selling? For example, if you run ads or social media campaigns, ensure you’re targeting people who would want your product. High traffic numbers mean little if it’s the wrong crowd. A common mistake is using very broad or misleading keywords just to get clicks. You might see lots of visitors but they bounce quickly because they weren’t looking for your kind of product[33]. Use analytics to see where traffic comes from and how they behave. If you have a high bounce rate (people leaving almost immediately) or very low time on site, that’s a sign your traffic isn’t well-targeted. - Are you attracting “browsers” instead of “buyers”? It’s cool if your blog post on “10 Tips for XYZ” went viral, but if those readers aren’t in a buying mindset, you need to funnel them into one. One tip is to incorporate calls-to-action in content that gently lead readers to check out your product when relevant. Also, consider focusing marketing on transactional keywords and audiences – e.g., someone searching “buy waterproof jacket online” is more likely to purchase than someone searching “how to stay dry in rain”[34]. In ads, use intent signals (like retarget people who added to cart but didn’t buy, or target lookalike audiences of past purchasers) to improve visitor quality. - Diagnose sources: If one channel (say a certain ad campaign or social network) is bringing lots of visits and zero sales, try pausing it. You might find your conversion rate is fine on other channels. It’s okay to have lower-traffic but higher-converting sources – quality over quantity. Turn off what isn’t yielding and double down on what is. Think of it this way: 1,000 targeted visitors who want/need your product are far more valuable than 10,000 random clicks. - Tip: If you aren’t sure about your audience targeting, create a simple survey (perhaps offer a small discount for filling it) asking visitors or past customers how they found you and what they were looking for. The insights could be eye-opening. For instance, you might discover many visitors thought your product was something else (indicating a messaging issue).

2. Scrutinize Your Website Design and User ExperienceFirst impressions matter immensely online. If sales are zilch, your site’s design or usability could be creating friction or distrust: - Is your site design professional and inviting? Be honest – does it look like a credible, established business or does it have the vibe of a rushed DIY project? Shoppers are wary of sites that seem sketchy or outdated, fearing scams or poor service. If you lack design skills, consider using a clean, modern e-commerce theme (most platforms have great templates) and avoid clashing colors, tiny hard-to-read fonts, or low-quality images. As one expert insight notes, poor website design can result in no sales[35]. This includes things like chaotic layouts, too many pop-ups, or auto-playing media that annoys visitors. - Mobile optimization: A huge portion of shopping happens on mobile. If your store isn’t mobile-friendly, you could be losing all those users. Test your site on a phone – is everything easy to navigate? Do images scale? Is the checkout process smooth (more on checkout later)? Google penalizes non-mobile sites in search rankings too. Use responsive design and ensure buttons/links are easily tappable and text is readable without zooming. - Load Speed: If pages take too long to load, visitors might leave before even seeing your content. Aim for a few seconds at most. Compress images, remove unnecessary heavy scripts or apps, and possibly use a content delivery network (CDN). Slow loading not only frustrates users but also can lower your Google ranking (thus reducing quality traffic). - Navigation and Search: How quickly can someone find what they want? If your menu structure is confusing or you lack a search bar (or the search doesn’t yield relevant results), users might give up. Make sure categories are logically organized. For instance, if you sell clothing, have clear sections: Men, Women, Kids, and further subcategories like Tops, Pants, etc. Implement a good on-site search and consider adding filtering options (by price, size, etc.) if you have many products. A tip: see if users are clicking around a lot without adding anything to cart – that could mean they’re not finding what they came for easily. - Trust Signals: A blank, generic site with no contact info or company background can raise red flags. Include an “About Us” page telling your story, have clear contact information (email, maybe phone, and physical address if applicable), and show any guarantees or policies upfront (like a “30-day money-back guarantee” badge or shipping info). If you have security badges (SSL, payment provider logos) or any press mentions or customer testimonials, display them. Trust is a major factor – zero trust factors will drive shoppers away[36][37]. So ensure your site looks safe to shop on. Even showing real product reviews can be a trust signal. - User Testing: Sometimes, you’re too close to your site to see issues. Get a friend (or better, a few people from your target demographic) to go through your site as a new user. Watch where they stumble or get confused. There are also online services for usability testing where strangers record their screen navigating your site and giving feedback. This can highlight, for example, if your “Add to Cart” button is hard to find, or your product descriptions leave questions unanswered.

Remember, improving UX and design can have an immediate impact. A user-friendly and credible-looking site keeps people browsing longer and reduces the urge to hit the back button. The more at ease and delighted someone feels on your site, the more likely they are to become a customer.

3. Re-examine Your Product Pages (Do They Persuade and Inform?)Product pages are where the conversion magic happens – or doesn’t. If lots of people view a product but no one buys, the issue might be with the information or presentation on that page: - Quality of Photos: Humans are visual, especially online where they can’t touch the product. Are your photos high-resolution, well-lit, and showing multiple angles? Do you include zoom capability or lifestyle images (product in use)? Blurry or tiny images scream unprofessional and don’t give confidence in what the buyer will receive[38][39]. Consider investing in better photography – it can pay for itself in sales uplift. Also, include photos that provide scale (like someone holding the item) and detail (close-ups of texture, features). If relevant, even short videos or GIFs can help (e.g., showing a 360° view or product in action). - Compelling and Clear Descriptions: A common mistake is either having too scant a description (“XYZ shirt, blue, cotton.” – not enough) or an overly long, boring one. Aim to highlight benefits and key features in an easily scannable way. Use bullet points for specs or major selling points. Ensure you cover basics: dimensions, materials, usage instructions if needed. And sell the sizzle: how will it make the customer’s life better? E.g., “This rain jacket features advanced waterproof fabric to keep you dry and comfortable during heavy storms, while still looking stylish.” If you find a lot of visitors reach the description and then leave, maybe they’re not finding what they need to know. Maybe you left out that a device is battery-operated or that a dress has pockets – whatever your audience cares about, address it. - Address Common Questions/Concerns: Eliminate doubt by preemptively answering common questions right on the product page. You can do a small FAQ section or incorporate info into the description. Think about what someone might hesitate over: “Will this fit me? Is it compatible with X? How long does it last? Is it safe for kids?” For example, clothing stores often have a size chart or “fits true to size” note; gadget sites list compatibility and warranty info. By being thorough, you reduce the friction of someone having to go search or guess. As Omnisend research notes, generic descriptions or missing details are a conversion killer[37][40]. - Social Proof on Page: If possible, show reviews or ratings on the product page. Real customer photos or testimonials (“This backpack survived my 3-month trip!”) can assure potential buyers that others have had a good experience[41]. If you’re new and don’t have reviews, consider a section like “What people are saying” with any positive feedback you got via email or social (with permission). Or highlight any press quotes if applicable. People trust other people more than marketing copy. - Clear Call to Action & Pricing Info: Make sure the add-to-cart or buy button is prominent. It should stand out in color and label (“Add to Cart” or “Buy Now”). Also, be upfront about pricing. If your price is higher than average, explain why (quality, features). If you have a sale, show the original price and the discount clearly. Lack of clarity on price or hidden fees (like very high shipping showing up only at checkout) can lead to cart abandonment. It’s better to be transparent from the get-go. - Sense of Urgency or Scarcity (if appropriate): Sometimes adding a gentle nudge helps, like “Only 3 left in stock – order soon” or “Sale ends Friday!” But use genuinely, not as fake pressure on every item (customers can sense phony urgency and it erodes trust). If you truly have limited stock or a promo running, highlighting that can spur a hesitant buyer to act now rather than later (when they might forget or find an alternative).

To summarize this tip: make your product page your best salesperson – informative, enthusiastic, and reassuring. If you optimize it well, even smaller traffic can start yielding sales.

4. Check Your Pricing and Value PropositionPerhaps people are interested but balk at the price. Pricing is tricky – too high can deter, too low can also signal low quality or leave you no profit. Evaluate: - Competitive Comparison: How does your price compare to similar products from competitors? If you’re much higher, do you clearly justify why (better quality, unique features, extra services)? Shoppers often price-compare[42]. If they don’t see the extra value, they’ll opt for a cheaper option. On the flip side, if you’re significantly cheaper, some may wonder if it’s too good to be true (again a trust issue – “why is it so cheap, is something wrong with it?”). Ideally, be in a similar range as the market, or if premium, make sure your branding and messaging back that up. - Test Adjustments: If sales are zero or very low, you have little to lose by experimenting. Try a temporary price reduction or a discount code to see if it triggers purchases. Even a small sale like “10% off this week” could both entice buyers and give you insight into price sensitivity. If a lower price suddenly converts customers, maybe your regular price was indeed too high. Or maybe it’s not price at all – then you know to focus elsewhere (e.g., trust, traffic). - Highlight the Value: Sometimes the issue isn’t the price itself but that customers don’t understand the value. Why is your product worth $X? Make sure your copy, images, and overall branding convey that. E.g., if you sell handmade artisan goods at a higher price point, emphasize the craftsmanship, the story behind it, the materials. If your gadget is pricier because it has more durability, show a comparison or mention “built to last 5x longer than leading brands, saving you money in the long run.” Customers do rational cost-benefit analyses, even subconsciously. Help them see the benefit clearly outweighs the cost. - Money-Back Guarantee or Free Trials: To overcome price hesitancy, you can reduce perceived risk by offering guarantees. For instance, a 30-day money-back guarantee (if you can afford to do so) assures them that if it’s not worth it, they can get their money back[40]. Many might not end up returning it if they actually like it, but the guarantee gives confidence to buy in the first place. If applicable, a free trial or sample (like a small tester size of a product) can get them in the door. Once they try and see the value, they may purchase the full item. - Bundle or Add More Value: If you feel you can’t lower price due to costs, another approach is to increase the perceived value. Throw in a bonus or bundle items. E.g., “Buy this camera and get a free tripod” or “Subscription includes a complimentary consultation.” Added value can justify the price in customers’ minds. It can also differentiate you from cheaper competitors (maybe their camera doesn’t include a tripod). - Watch Out for Hidden Costs: Even if product price is fine, sometimes extra costs like shipping, taxes, or fees at checkout deter people (“sticker shock”). Be upfront about shipping (e.g., provide a shipping calculator or clear flat rate info). Consider subsidizing shipping if possible, or setting a free shipping threshold (customers might add more to cart to hit free shipping, boosting your sales). If your international customers face duties, mention it so they’re not surprised. Transparent pricing builds trust and avoids abandoned carts.

In short, ensure your price aligns with market expectations and that your offering demonstrates clear value for that price. If there’s a mismatch, adjust pricing or perception accordingly.

5. Improve Your Site’s Credibility and TrustworthinessWe touched on design trust signals, but let’s delve deeper into trust since it’s a huge factor in converting a visitor into a buyer, especially if your brand is not well-known: - Social Proof Everywhere: Humans are herd animals; we feel more comfortable buying something others have approved of. If you have customer reviews, display them prominently (product pages as mentioned, but also consider a dedicated testimonials section or a rotating review carousel on the homepage). If your product has user-generated content (UGC) – like customers posting on Instagram with it – integrate that (with permission) onto your site (“See it in action from our community”). Real photos and names, or even video testimonials, make a strong impact. No reviews yet? Try sending a follow-up email to any past buyers politely asking for a review, perhaps in exchange for a small coupon. Don’t fake reviews – that can backfire ethically and legally. - Show Your Track Record: Have you fulfilled 1,000 orders? Say so (“Join over 1,000 happy customers”). Did some media outlet feature you? Display “As seen on [Outlet]” logos. Any credentials or certifications your business or product has achieved (e.g., organic certification, award-winning design, Better Business Bureau A+ rating) – these are trust badges that assure customers you’re legitimate. - Live Chat or Easy Contact: Offering a live chat support (even if it’s just you on the other end during business hours) can significantly boost trust and conversion. It shows you’re accessible and ready to help[43]. Shoppers might have a tiny doubt or question that prevents purchase – if they can quickly ask on chat and get an answer, you might save the sale. If live chat 24/7 isn’t feasible, at least make sure your contact page is easy to find and encourage people to reach out with questions (and then respond fast!). The sense that “there are real people behind this store who care” is what you want to convey. - Policies and Guarantees: We mentioned the money-back guarantee. Also ensure your store policies (shipping, returns, privacy) are present and clear. Put a link to “Returns” and “Shipping Info” in the footer or even product pages. A lenient return policy can actually increase purchases – people think “okay, if it’s not right I can send it back easily,” so they’re more willing to give it a go[40]. If your return policy is strict (no returns, etc.), know that it might be costing you sales. It’s a balance between protecting your business and encouraging customers. - Site Security Signals: By now, all e-commerce should have SSL (that padlock and HTTPS in the browser). If not, that’s an urgent fix – lack of SSL is a huge red flag and some browsers even warn “Not secure” which will scare people away. Additionally, consider showing icons for the credit cards or payment methods you accept – seeing familiar logos like Visa, MasterCard, PayPal can reassure folks that you use standard, secure payment gateways[42]. If you have an actual trust badge from something like Norton Secure or McAfee (some payment providers offer these), you can display it, though the impact of those is debated. But certainly don’t skip the basics: SSL certificate, professional looking checkout (which usually is handled by your platform’s template, fortunately), and no weird extra steps that might confuse customers. - Use Real Content: Use real photos of your team on the About page, or a note from the founder. Authenticity builds connection and trust. If you’re a small business, that can be a selling point – many people like supporting independent entrepreneurs versus faceless corporations. So put a face to your brand. Even small things like signing emails with a name (instead of just “Customer Support”) can humanize the experience. - Fix Errors: It should go without saying, but a site riddled with typos, broken links, or error pages can signal you’re not professional or even that the site might be abandoned. Regularly scan your site for such issues. Get someone with good language skills to proofread if needed. A well-groomed site = serious business owner in customers’ minds. Also, ensure your site is free of technical bugs (test on various devices and browsers).

All these credibility factors add up. Sometimes a visitor is close to buying but a tiny doubt (“Is this site legit? Will I get what I order? Is it secure?”) holds them back. By proactively answering those doubts through your site design and content, you clear the path to purchase.

6. Simplify and Test Your Checkout ProcessIt’s heartbreaking when customers add items to cart but never complete checkout. If you have some carts but no sales, something might be going wrong at the finish line: - Reduce Friction: Aim for as few steps as possible in checkout. Don’t ask for information you don’t truly need. Long forms or forcing account creation can cause drop-off. Allow guest checkout[44] – many first-time buyers prefer not to make an account. You can offer account creation after the purchase or as an option but not mandatory. - Multiple Payment Options: Make sure you offer popular payment methods. Some people trust PayPal more than entering card details on a new site, so having PayPal as an option could salvage those sales. Similarly, consider if Apple Pay, Google Pay, or even Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) options like Klarna or Afterpay make sense for your audience – these can boost conversion by offering convenience or flexibility[45]. If someone can check out in one tap via Apple Pay, that smooth experience can clinch it. - Be Upfront About Costs: We touched on this – no surprise fees at checkout. Show or calculate shipping costs early (many stores have a shipping cost estimator on the cart page). Also, display the cart contents clearly with prices so the buyer can verify everything is correct (size, color, quantity). If they have to click back to product pages to double-check something, you risk losing them. Transparency builds trust right through to clicking that final “Place Order” button. - Cart Abandonment Follow-up: Implement an abandoned cart recovery system. If someone enters an email but doesn’t complete purchase, send a polite reminder email after a few hours, maybe again in 24 hours – possibly with a small incentive like a discount or free shipping to entice them back. Many platforms have this feature built-in or via apps. Cart abandonment emails can recover a good chunk of lost sales. - Test the Process End-to-End: Do a test order yourself frequently (and cancel/refund it) to see if everything is working. You might catch glitches like the credit card form not accepting certain valid inputs, or the “Place Order” button being unclickable on mobile due to a layout issue. Also, test coupon codes if you use them – any frustration at checkout is a sale killer. If you’ve ever tried to buy something and the site kept erroring out or was too slow, you likely gave up – don’t let that happen on your site. - Site Speed on Checkout: Ensure the checkout pages load quickly too (not just home and product pages). Use a minimal template for checkout (most e-com platforms do make checkout pretty streamlined). Remove any unnecessary scripts or pop-ups on the checkout page – it should be a distraction-free zone so the user can focus on completing their purchase. I’ve seen sites where an annoying popup for newsletter on the checkout page actually prevented the user from finishing – avoid that scenario at all costs. - Reassure on Checkout: Right on the checkout page, you can echo trust signals: small text like “Secure 128-bit SSL encrypted payment” or a lock icon, a reminder of the return policy “30-Day Return Guarantee” below the place order button, and maybe logos of accepted payments[46]. These little reminders can soothe any last-minute nerves.

The goal is a checkout so smooth the customer doesn’t have to think – they just breeze through and boom, order confirmed.

7. Ensure People Know Your Store Exists (Marketing Efforts)This might sound basic, but it’s worth addressing: sometimes no sales simply means not enough people (or effectively zero) are seeing your store. The old “build it and they will come” doesn’t apply to websites: - Review Your Marketing Strategy: If you launched and just expected organic traffic to roll in, that’s probably the issue. In a saturated internet, you have to actively promote. Are you utilizing at least one or two marketing channels well? This could be SEO (content creation, link building), social media (regular posts, engaging with communities, maybe influencer partnerships), paid ads, email marketing, etc. If your store has few visitors, clearly step one is to ramp that up (in conjunction with fixing on-site issues as we’ve done above). - Consistency and Patience: Marketing often takes time. SEO can take months to build. Social media accounts grow gradually unless something goes viral. If you’ve only put in a small effort for a couple weeks and saw no sales, don’t conclude it’s hopeless – many businesses see a slow burn before momentum builds. The key is consistency in delivering content and refining your messaging. Track which tactics bring traffic that sticks around or adds to cart, and refine those. - Offer Incentives to Get People In: Early on, you might need aggressive offers to entice those first customers (who then become evangelists if happy). For example, a launch promo code, a freebie with first purchase, or contest giveaways to build your email list or social followers. Be active in reaching out: maybe send samples to micro-influencers in your niche or ask friends to share with any relevant groups. The start often requires a bit of hustle and scrappiness. If nobody knows about your store, even the best site won’t get sales – so make some noise (tactfully). - Analyze and Pivot: If you’ve been marketing on a channel for a while with no sales, try a different approach. Perhaps your audience is more active on one platform than another (e.g., maybe Pinterest yields more qualified traffic than Twitter for your product type – many DIY/craft products do well on Pinterest). Or maybe your ads aren’t hitting the mark – try new creatives or targeting options. Look at your analytics to see where drop-offs happen. For instance, if lots of people add to cart but don’t buy, that’s a site problem (like checkout or trust); but if lots of people visit product pages but don’t add to cart, maybe your product content or pricing isn’t convincing them. Use that data from marketing efforts to adjust either your marketing or your on-site content as needed. - Get Feedback from Potential Customers: If you can find members of your target audience willing to give you feedback (say in a Facebook group or subreddit, or friends-of-friends), ask them bluntly: “Would you buy this? If not, why?” You might discover unknown barriers – maybe they didn’t understand what exactly the product does, or they felt the style didn’t appeal to them, or they didn’t trust the site, etc. Sometimes an outside perspective can reveal a blind spot in how you market or present your shop.

To sum up this tip: make sure you’re putting your store in front of the right eyes regularly. If you have even a modest flow of targeted visitors and you apply the earlier tips, you should start to see sales tick up. If traffic is near zero, sales will be zero – so addressing that is crucial (but I listed it later in the list because many assume it’s the only issue when often site factors are the silent killer).

8. Analyze Web Analytics and User BehaviorLet data guide your troubleshooting. If you aren’t already, install Google Analytics (or your platform’s analytics) and look at: - Visitor Flow: See the common paths users take. For example, lots of users hit your homepage then leave = homepage might not be clearly guiding them. Or lots go from product page to cart but then drop = cart/checkout issue likely. A useful GA feature is “behavior flow” which can visualize where people drop off. - Bounce Rate / Time on Site: High bounce rate (like >70%) on key pages or very low time (few seconds) indicates either irrelevant traffic or something immediately turning people off (like slow speed or bad design). If your bounce rate is high across the board, that’s concerning. If it’s mainly high from one traffic source, it may be that source’s visitors weren’t actually looking for you (e.g., maybe a misleading ad). - Conversion Funnel: If you have e-commerce tracking set, look at your funnel metrics: product views, add to carts, reach checkout, completed purchase. Identify which step has the biggest drop-off. Then focus on improvements there. For instance, if many add to cart but few reach checkout, maybe the cart page isn’t clear or shipping cost shown there is scaring them. - Exit Pages: See which page people most often leave from. If many exit on the cart page or shipping info page, that tells you something specific (like maybe they are looking at your shipping policy, not liking what they see and leaving). If they exit right after a particular product page, maybe that product isn’t appealing or its info is lacking. - Use Heatmaps/Session Recordings: Tools like Hotjar or Microsoft Clarity can show you where users click, scroll, and how far they get. You might find, for example, that on your product page, people aren’t seeing the “Add to Cart” button because they don’t scroll enough – telling you to put key info higher up or ensure your layout encourages scrolling[11]. Or a session recording might show someone trying to click an image thinking it’s a gallery but it wasn’t clickable – insight that maybe you need an image zoom or slideshow. - Mobile vs Desktop: Check conversion rates or at least bounce rates by device. If mobile performance is far worse, you likely have a mobile usability issue. Many stores see majority traffic on mobile but if that mobile experience is poor, you lose those potential sales. So if you see, say, desktop visitors add to cart often but mobile visitors rarely do, inspect your mobile site carefully. - New vs Returning Visitors: If only returning visitors are converting (or none are converting), that’s interesting. It could mean your site doesn’t build enough trust on first visit (hence no newbies buy) and only after they come back (maybe from remarketing or after thinking on it) do they buy. That could highlight a need to more aggressively capture leads or retarget first-timers, and also to optimize the site to make a great first impression (since many won’t give you a second chance if first wasn’t convincing).

By reading the story the data tells, you can prioritize which of the previous tips to focus on. It turns guesswork into targeted action.

9. Leverage Customer Feedback and Reviews (Even Negative Ones)If you do have some traffic and maybe a few sales but things are slow, use whatever customer feedback you can gather to improve: - Read Reviews of Similar Products: If you don’t have your own reviews yet, go to competitors or Amazon listings of similar items. See what buyers complain about or love[47][31]. Then make sure your product/store addresses those points. For example, if many people say “I wish it came in more colors” or “runs small”, you might proactively mention “true to size – no need to size up” or offer those color options if feasible. Learning from others’ feedback can preempt issues in your store. - Ask Past Customers: If you have a handful of past customers (or even abandoned cart users if you have email for them), reach out with a personal note. “Hi, I’m the owner of X store. I noticed you visited/purchased X. I’d love to know if there’s anything we could improve or what almost stopped you from buying.” People appreciate transparency. Some may ignore, but those who reply could give you gold. Maybe someone will say “Honestly, I was worried about returns since I didn’t see a policy” – telling you to make that more visible. Or “I love the product, but the shipping took a while” – indicating you should set better expectations or improve logistics. - Handle Negative Feedback Gracefully: If someone has complained (maybe emailed a complaint or left a bad review somewhere), don’t dismiss it as a one-off. See if it has broader implications. If one person found checkout confusing, likely others did too (they just didn’t tell you). Use it to make changes. And respond kindly to them, perhaps offering a solution – turning an unhappy customer into a satisfied one can sometimes win you loyalty and referrals (plus it shows onlookers that you care). - Social Listening: Keep an eye on social media comments or any mentions of your brand. You might catch chatter that isn’t sent to you directly but is valuable. For instance, a tweet like “Really wanted to buy from X store but their site kept crashing on my phone #frustrated” – you might only see that if you search your brand name or hashtag. But if you find such things, you can reach out to that person to remedy it (maybe even save that sale) and fix the underlying problem for all. - Make it Easy to Get Feedback: Have clear contact options (as we said) and invite feedback post-purchase (“Tell us how we did!”). Some store owners fear hearing bad news, but truly, it’s better to know and fix it than to wonder why people aren’t buying. Customers often appreciate when their input leads to visible improvements – they feel like part of your brand journey.

10. Stay Persistent and Continuously OptimizeFinally, the tip that wraps them all: don’t give up. E-commerce can require patience and iteration. Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor is a profitable store: - One Change at a Time: When troubleshooting, try not to overhaul everything simultaneously. You want to know what change made the difference. Tweak one area, see if sales improve, then tweak another. Of course, some glaring things you might fix together (like site speed and some design tweaks). But for example, if you slash prices at the same time you revamp your product pages and suddenly sales come, you might not know whether it was the price or the page info that did it. A/B testing where possible is great (for traffic heavy sites), but for smaller ones, sequential testing (this month we try a lower free shipping threshold, next month we try original shipping but improved page copy) might be more practical. - Seasonality and Timing: Recognize external factors. Some niches just have slow seasons. If you launched a swimsuit store in October and got no sales, it might not be purely your fault – off-season marketing is hard. So calibrate expectations and maybe shift focus to building audience so that when peak season comes you’re ready. Also watch out for major world events or economic shifts; for example, during early COVID-19 lockdowns, some industries boomed (home fitness) while others tanked (travel gear). If your slump coincides with something like that, you may need to pivot product or marketing strategy temporarily. - Celebrate Small Wins: If yesterday you had zero sales and today you got one, that’s progress! Analyze what led that person to buy and how you can replicate it. Then aim for one a day, then two a day, etc. It can feel disheartening to see no/low sales, but each win is proof you’re doing something right. Build on those. - Keep Learning: The e-commerce landscape changes often – algorithms, consumer preferences, technology. Stay informed via blogs, forums (like the Shopify community or subreddits like r/Entrepreneur or r/Ecommerce), webinars, etc. Maybe you’ll discover a fresh tactic that resonates. For example, if your Facebook ads aren’t working, perhaps you learn that TikTok influencer promos can drive your demographic better. - Consider a Mentor or Expert Audit: If despite trying many things you’re still stumped, it might be worth getting a second opinion. Maybe hire a conversion rate optimization (CRO) expert for an hour to review your site, or ask for a store critique in an online entrepreneur community. Sometimes we have blind spots and an experienced eye can quickly pinpoint something you overlooked. - Patience vs. Pivoting: Give changes time to show effect (unless something is obviously a disaster). But also, if you’ve tried a particular strategy for months with no traction, be willing to pivot your approach. This might even mean pivoting product niche if you conclude the market just isn’t there. Hard truth: if absolutely nothing yields sales, perhaps the product is not appealing or is priced out of the market. That’s a last-resort realization, but one you should be open to after thorough troubleshooting. In such a case, apply what you learned to a new product strategy rather than quit e-commerce entirely.

To conclude: turning a no-sales store into a sales-making store is very achievable by systematically finding and fixing the leaky parts of your ship. No sales is just the symptom; through these troubleshooting tips, you identify the cause(s) and address them one by one.

Keep at it – many store owners have gone from zero to thriving by making the right tweaks and persevering. Soon, with the improvements you implement, you’ll hopefully see that first sale come in, then another, and another, validating all your effort.