Running a Shopify store is one of the best ways to sell online. The platform is reliable, flexible, and built for growth. But even though Shopify makes ecommerce easier, most store owners still hit the same roadblocks.
It’s not about whether you can add products or change a theme. It’s about making sure your store looks right, works right, and makes it easy for customers to buy. And often, the things that trip store owners up are small, everyday details that directly affect sales.
This guide breaks down the five most common issues we see, why they matter, and what you can do about them.
Key Tip: The biggest wins in Shopify usually don’t come from redesigns or expensive new features. They come from fixing the details that frustrate customers: confusing menus, slow pages, fiddly checkout steps, or text that’s hard to read. Make the basics easy, and you’ll unlock growth.
1. Confusing Navigation
If customers can’t find what they’re looking for quickly, they’ll leave. Simple as that.
Common problems:
- Menus packed with too many options
- Categories written in “business speak” rather than customer-friendly language
- Products hidden under multiple clicks
What to do:
- Keep your main menu simple, focusing on top categories.
- Use plain language your customers would search for.
- Add a search bar that actually works.
- Test with a fresh set of eyes. Can someone new find a product in under 30 seconds?
2. Slow or Overloaded Pages
Speed is one of the biggest factors in whether a customer sticks around. Every extra second of load time increases the chance they’ll give up.
Common problems:
- Oversized product images
- Autoplay videos slowing down the homepage
- Too many third-party apps running in the background
What to do:
- Resize and compress images before uploading.
- Cut unnecessary animations or video on key pages.
- Review your apps and remove what you don’t use.
- Try loading your store on mobile data. If it feels slow to you, it’s worse for your customers.
3. Gaps in Accessibility
Accessibility is often overlooked because store owners assume it only applies to edge cases. The reality is that it affects every customer at some point — whether they’re shopping in bright sunlight, browsing one-handed on their phone, or relying on a screen reader.
Common problems:
- Text with poor colour contrast
- Buttons or links that are too small on mobile
- Missing alt text on images (bad for both accessibility and SEO)
- Forms that are hard to fill out or don’t have clear labels
What to do:
- Use readable font sizes and colours with enough contrast.
- Ensure buttons are thumb-friendly on mobile.
- Add alt text to every image so both people and search engines know what’s there.
- Check your checkout form works with just a keyboard.
4. Poor Checkout Experience
The checkout is where sales are won or lost. Customers who make it this far are ready to buy — don’t give them a reason to abandon their cart.
Common problems:
- Too many steps before payment
- Forcing account creation
- Limited payment methods
- Error messages that aren’t clear
What to do:
- Streamline checkout so it’s short and straightforward.
- Allow guest checkout.
- Offer a mix of payment methods, including local options like POLi or Afterpay.
- Test checkout on both desktop and mobile.
5. Lack of Trust Signals
Shoppers won’t spend money with a store they don’t trust. Professional design, clear information, and usability all build confidence.
Common problems:
- No obvious contact details
- Poor-quality product photos
- Missing or unclear shipping and returns policies
- A clunky, inconsistent shopping experience
What to do:
- Use high-quality product photos with enough detail to make a decision.
- Clearly show shipping and returns information.
- Include easy-to-find contact details.
- Make sure your store is smooth to navigate and consistent across pages.
What to Do Now: Checklist
Use this quick list to check your store against the most common issues:
- Simplify navigation with clear, customer-friendly labels
- Optimise images and remove unnecessary apps to improve speed
- Ensure accessibility basics: readable text, alt text, clear forms, mobile-friendly buttons
- Test and streamline the checkout process
- Add trust signals: product photos, policies, and contact info
Wrapping Up
Shopify gives you a strong starting point, but the real difference comes from the details. If your store is confusing, slow, inaccessible, or untrustworthy, customers will walk away no matter how good your products are.
The good news is that fixing these five areas doesn’t require a complete rebuild. It’s about smart improvements that make your store work better for everyone. When you get that right, sales follow.
If you’d like help improving your Shopify store without overcomplicating it, Skyrocket is here. We design and build Shopify sites that are clear, fast, and built to convert.
