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How to Get Sales on Shopify: 5 Mistakes to Fix Now
You’ve done everything right. You picked a great product, you built a beautiful Shopify store, and you launched it to the world. And then… crickets.
You find yourself typing “why my Shopify store is not making sales” into Google at 2 AM, frustrated and confused. It’s a common problem, and the solution is often a series of small “leaks” in your sales funnel rather than one giant error.
Table of Contents
- Mistake #1: You Have a Store, Not an Audience (The "No Traffic" Problem)
- Mistake #2: Your Store Is Leaking Trust (The "Low Conversion" Problem)
- Mistake #3: Your Product Pages Aren't Selling (The "Poor Copy" Problem)
- Mistake #4: Your Checkout Process Is a Maze (The "Cart Abandonment" Problem)
- Mistake #5: You're Only Thinking Short-Term (The "No SEO" Problem)
- Stop Guessing and Start Optimising
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The good news? Every single one of these leaks can be fixed.
As a Shopify development agency, Nextige IT Solution has audited hundreds of stores. We see the same profit-killing patterns over and over. If you’re struggling to find the answer to how to get sales on Shopify, this article is for you. We’re going to break down the top 5 mistakes and give you the actionable steps to fix them today.
Mistake #1: You Have a Store, Not an Audience (The "No Traffic" Problem)
This is the “build it and they will come” fallacy. You can have the best-designed store and the most amazing product, but if no one sees it, you won’t make a sale. This is the root cause of the “no traffic to my Shopify store” problem. An eCommerce store is not a magnet; it’s a destination that you have to guide people to.
You can’t learn how to get sales on Shopify if no one is visiting your site.
How to Fix It: Build Diverse Traffic Streams
Don’t rely on one source. A healthy store has traffic from multiple channels. This is the foundation of how to get sales on Shopify.
- Start with Content Marketing: Start a blog on your Shopify store. Answer your customers' biggest questions. Create "how-to" guides, gift lists, and comparison articles related to your products. This builds authority and captures users from search engines.
- Leverage Social Media: Don't just post product photos. Create engaging content (videos, user-generated content, polls) that reflects your brand's lifestyle. Use platforms where your target audience actually spends their time.
- Use Paid Ads (Smartly): Target a specific audience with Facebook, Instagram, or Google Ads. Start with a small budget to test what works. Retargeting ads (showing ads to people who visited your site but didn't buy) are often the most profitable.
- Don't Forget Email:Build an email list from day one. Offer a 10% discount for new subscribers. An email list is an audience you own and can market to for free, forever.
Mistake #2: Your Store Is Leaking Trust (The "Low Conversion" Problem)
This is the “Shopify traffic but no sales” dilemma. People are visiting, but they aren’t buying. This almost always comes down to trust. In a world of online scams, a new visitor is constantly looking for red flags. If your store looks unprofessional, is slow, or lacks credibility, they will click away in seconds.
This is a classic case of your Shopify store not converting.
How to Fix It: Optimize for Trust and Speed
A trustworthy site is the first step in how to get sales on Shopify.
- Get Social Proof (Immediately): Install a product review app (like Loox, Yotpo, or Judge.me) and encourage reviews. Display testimonials and user-generated photos prominently. Nothing sells a product better than a real person praising it.
- Invest in Professional Design: This doesn't mean expensive. It means:
- High-quality, clear product photography.
- A clean, easy-to-read font.
- A professional logo.
- An "About Us" page that tells your brand's story.
- Optimize for Speed:If your site takes longer than 3 seconds to load, you're losing customers. Compress your images, remove unused apps, and choose a lightweight theme. This is a core part of technical Shopify store optimization, and it’s something Nextige IT Solution specializes in.
- Be Transparent:Have an accessible and clearly written policy for Shipping, Returns, and Privacy. Show contact information (email or chat) so users know you're a real business.
Mistake #3: Your Product Pages Aren't Selling (The "Poor Copy" Problem)
This is one of the biggest Shopify mistakes we see. You’ve imported a product and just used the generic, one-sentence description from the supplier. This is the classic “Shopify product description not converting” issue.
Your product page is your digital salesperson. If it’s lazy, boring, or confusing, it’s not going to close the sale.
How to Fix It: Write Benefit-Driven Product Copy
People don’t buy features; they buy outcomes. This is a non-negotiable part of how to get sales on Shopify.
Mastering product copy is essential for how to get sales on Shopify.
- Features vs. Benefits:
- Feature: "This backpack is made of 100% waterproof nylon." (So what?)
- Benefit: "This backpack is made of 100% waterproof nylon, so you can hike in the rain knowing your laptop and camera are completely safe and dry."
- Use High-Quality Media:Show your product from all angles. Include a video of the product in use. Show its scale.
- Clear Call-to-Action (CTA):Your "Add to Cart" button should be bright, bold, and "above the fold" (visible without scrolling).
- Answer Questions Before They're Asked:Include a mini-FAQ on the product page. What's the fit? What are the dimensions? How do I care for it?
This is one of the biggest Shopify mistakes we see. You’ve imported a product and just used the generic, one-sentence description from the supplier. This is the classic “Shopify product description not converting” issue.
Your product page is your digital salesperson. If it’s lazy, boring, or confusing, it’s not going to close the sale.
Mistake #4: Your Checkout Process Is a Maze (The "Cart Abandonment" Problem)
A customer adds a product to their cart. They are ready to give you money. And then… you make it difficult.
The #1 reason for cart abandonment is unexpected costs (like high shipping) sprung at the last second. The #2 reason is a long or confusing checkout process. This is where Shopify sales funnel troubleshooting becomes critical.
How to Fix It: Streamline Your Sales Funnel
Your goal is to remove all friction between the cart and the “Thank You” page. A smooth checkout is the final step in how to get sales on Shopify.
- Be Upfront About Shipping: Don't wait until the last step. Show shipping costs (or your "free shipping over $X" offer) on the cart page.
- Enable Guest Checkout: Do not force users to create an account to buy from you. This is a conversion killer.
- Activate Express Checkouts:Add Shopify Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. These one-click options bypass the need to manually enter shipping and credit card info, dramatically boosting conversions.
- Simplify the Process:Look at your checkout. Are you asking for unnecessary information? Remove any field that isn't 100% essential to complete the order.
Mastering product copy is essential for how to get sales on Shopify.
Mistake #5: You're Only Thinking Short-Term (The "No SEO" Problem)
You’re running ads, and they’re working… okay. But the moment you turn them off, your sales flatline. This is a costly and stressful way to run a business. You’re ignoring the single most powerful, long-term asset for your store: Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
If you don’t have an SEO strategy, you’re building your business on rented land.
How to Fix It: Build a Sustainable Shopify SEO Strategy
SEO is the practice of getting “free,” organic traffic from Google. It’s the most sustainable way how to get sales on Shopify for years to come.
- Target the Right Shopify SEO keywords: Don't just guess. Use a keyword tool to find what your customers are actually searching for. Target long-tail keywords (e.g., "best vegan leather crossbody bag") instead of broad, competitive ones (e.g., "bags").
- Optimize Every Product Page:Use your target keyword in your product title, description, and image alt-text.
- Embrace the Shopify Blog SEO Strategy:This is your #1 SEO weapon. Write high-quality articles that help your customers. If you sell hiking boots, write "The 5 Best Hiking Trails in [Your State]." This builds authority and attracts visitors who are interested in your niche.
- Fix Your Technical SEO:This involves improving site speed, ensuring your site is mobile-friendly, and having a clean site structure. This is how you fix Shopify store SEO at its foundation.
Mastering product copy is essential for how to get sales on Shopify.
Stop Guessing and Start Optimizing
If you’re asking, “why my shopify store is not making sales,” the answer is likely a combination of these five mistakes. Fixing them isn’t an overnight task, but the path is clear: you need to drive qualified traffic, build unshakable trust, write compelling copy, streamline your checkout, and invest in a long-term SEO strategy.
Fixing these leaks is the key to how to get sales on Shopify.
Feeling overwhelmed? You don’t have to do it alone. If you’re tired of guessing and want expert Shopify store optimisation tips tailored to your unique business, Nextige IT Solution is here to help.
Contact Nextige IT Solution today for a comprehensive Shopify store audit. We’ll analyse your traffic, conversions, and technical health to build a clear roadmap. We’ll show you exactly how to get sales on Shopify and turn your store into the sales machine it was meant to be.
Jagdish Patidar
Shopify Developer & Founder – Nextige
Founder of Nextige It Solution LLP with over 10 years of experience in Shopify and eCommerce development. I have worked with global brands and growing startups. I help them launch and expand successful online stores. At Nextige, my goal is to provide Shopify solutions that focus on conversions and can easily grow with the business. I want to help businesses succeed in the digital marketplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Shopify store not making any sales?
This is often due to a combination of common Shopify mistakes. The most likely reasons are: 1) you have no traffic coming to your store, 2) your site looks unprofessional or slow, which “leaks” trust, 3) your product descriptions aren’t convincing, 4) your checkout process is too long or has surprise fees, or 5) you have no long-term SEO strategy to attract new customers.
I have traffic to my Shopify store but no sales. What's the first thing I should fix?
This is a classic “Shopify store not converting” problem, and it almost always comes down to trust. The very first thing to fix is your store’s “social proof” and professionalism. Start by adding high-quality product reviews, ensuring your site is fast, investing in professional product photos, and making your shipping and return policies crystal clear.
What is the fastest way to start getting sales on Shopify?
The fastest way how to get sales on Shopify is typically through targeted paid ads (like on Facebook or Google) to get immediate traffic. However, this will only be profitable if you first fix your store’s conversion “leaks”—specifically, by building trust (Mistake #2) and writing compelling product descriptions that sell (Mistake #3). Sending paid traffic to an untrustworthy store is the quickest way to lose money.