The 10 Most Common Challenges Faced by eCommerce Businesses

I’ve been involved in eCommerce since 2001 and I can truly say, A LOT has changed.

Back in the day, you can sell just about anything and make crazy money.  Competition was minimal, technology wasn’t as affordable as it is now and access to product was limited.

Now, Amazon is a major competitor to everyone.  China is opening up to the world and technology is now affordable.

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Here are the top 10 most common challenges faced by eCommerce businesses of all sizes.

1. Finding the right products to sell

Shopping cart platforms like Shopify have eliminated many barriers of entry.  Anyone can launch an online store within days and start selling all sorts of products.

Amazon is taking over the eCommerce world with their massive online product catalog.  Their marketplace and fulfillment services have enabled sellers from all over the world to easily reach paying customers.

Let’s not forget about Aliexpress.  They’ve simplified product sourcing by giving access to Chinese manufacturers within a couple of clicks.

All of this has made it very difficult for retailers to source unique products unless you they decide to manufacture your own.

Click here to learn about “How to Find a Product to Sell Online” Course

2. Attracting the perfect customer

Online shoppers don’t shop the same way as they used to back in the day.  They use Amazon to search for products (not just Google).  They ask for recommendations on Social Media. They use their smartphones to read product reviews while in-store and pay for purchases using all sorts of payment methods.

Lots has changed including the way they consume content and communicate online.  They get easily distracted with technology and social media.

Retailers must figure out where their audience is and how to attract them efficiently without killing their marketing budget.

3. Generating targeted traffic

Digital marketing channels are evolving.  Retailers can no longer rely one type of channel to drive traffic to their online store.

They must effectively leverage SEO, PPC, email, social, display ads, retargeting, mobile, shopping engines and affiliates to help drive qualified traffic to their online store.  They must be visible where their audience is paying attention.

4. Capturing quality leads

Online retailers are spending a significant amount of money driving traffic to their online store.  With conversion rates ranging between 1% to 3%, they must put a lot of effort in generating leads in order to get the most out of their marketing efforts.

The money is in the list.  Building an email subscribers list is key for long term success.  Not only will help you communicate your message, but it will also allow you to prospect better using tools such as Facebook Custom Audiences.

Not all leads are created equally.  Retailers must craft the right message for the right audience in order to convert them into leads with hopes of turning them into customers.

5. Nurturing the ideal prospects

Having a large email list is worthless if you’re not actively engaging with subscribers.

A small percentage of your email list will actually convert into paying customers.  Nonetheless, retailers must always deliver value with their email marketing efforts.

Online retailers put a lot of focus on communicating product offering as well as promotions, but prospects need more than that.  Value and entertainment goes a long way but that requires more work.

6. Converting shoppers into paying customers

Driving quality traffic and nurturing leads is key if you want to close the sale.  At a certain point, you need to convert those leads in order to pay for your marketing campaigns.

Retailers must constantly optimize their efforts in converting both email leads as well as website visitors into customers.  Conversion optimization is a continuous process.

7. Retaining customers

Attracting new customers is more expensive than retaining the current ones you already have.

Retailers must implement tactics to help them get the most out of their customer base in increase customer lifetime value.

8. Achieving profitable long-term growth

Increasing sales is one way to grow the business but in the end, what matters most is profitability.

Online retailers must always find ways to cut inventory costs, improve marketing efficiency, reduce overhead, reduce shipping costs and control order returns.

9. Choosing the right technology & partners

Some online retailers may face growth challenges because their techonology is limiting them or they’ve hired the wrong partners/agencies to help them manage their projects.

Retailers wanting to achieve growth must be built on a good technology foundation.  They must choose the right shopping cart solution, inventory management software, email software, CRM systems, analytics and so much more.

In addition, hiring the wrong partners or agencies to help you implement projects or oversee marketing campaigns may also limit your growth.  Online retailers must choose carefully who to work with.

10. Attracting and hiring the right people to make it all happen

Let’s face it, online retailers may have visions and aspirations but one true fact remains, they need the right people to help them carry out their desires.

Attracting the right talent is key in order to achieve desirable online growth.  Also, having the right leader plays an even bigger role.

Retailers should be out there getting their name out within the online community by attending eCommerce conferences, speaking at events and networking.  Employees want to work for companies that care about them and their future.  Having a sense of purpose is key.

Your Turn

What’s your biggest eCommerce challenge? Comment below.

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