10 Common Ecommerce Mistakes to Avoid Before Your Site Goes Live

Preparing a new website for launch can feel exciting, but overlooking key details at this stage can create avoidable problems later. Whether you're releasing a brand-new Shopify store or refreshing an existing platform, it’s worth taking time to ensure everything functions smoothly. Below are ten frequent mistakes that online retailers make before going live, along with simple steps to avoid them and give your customers the best possible first impression.

1. Forgetting an Engaging About Page

New visitors often check your About Us page before making a purchase. A short, vague paragraph won’t build much trust. Share your story, your mission, the people behind the brand, and why your products matter. A personal, transparent narrative helps strengthen credibility and encourages customer confidence.

2. Missing or Generic Policies

Your website must include clear Terms and Conditions, returns information, and a privacy policy written specifically for your business. Avoid copying policies from elsewhere; instead, explain exactly how your company protects customer data, manages orders, and handles disputes. Clear policies support compliance and enhance trust.

3. Choosing Poor Hosting

Low-cost hosting may be tempting when launching a new shop, but it can lead to slow load times and limited bandwidth during traffic spikes. Reliable hosting is essential for performance, especially if you’re planning ongoing digital marketing or seasonal promotions. Ensure your plan can comfortably scale as your business grows.

4. Ignoring Performance Testing

A site that feels fast on a local server may behave differently once live. Test how quickly pages load, how efficiently product images are delivered, and whether scripts cause unnecessary delays. Removing heavy plugins, compressing media, and using caching tools will improve user experience considerably.

5. Weak SEO Foundations

Organic search remains one of the most valuable traffic sources. Before launch, check that titles, meta descriptions, headings, and URLs follow best practice. Make sure your content is optimised for relevant keywords and local search. If needed, consider expert support from an SEO specialist in Belfast.

6. Overcomplicating the Checkout

Each extra step in the checkout journey increases the risk of abandoned baskets. Whether you’re using Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento 2, ensure your checkout is quick, intuitive, and mobile-friendly. Test discount codes, shipping options, and payment gateways thoroughly.

7. Leaving Broken Links Untested

Broken links make your website feel unreliable and frustrate users. Use a link-checker tool before launch to ensure all navigation, product pages, and blog posts lead to the correct destinations.

8. Poor Mobile Experience

A huge share of ecommerce traffic now comes from mobile devices. Test your store on several screen sizes, including older smartphones. Check text readability, button spacing, speed, and layout. A polished mobile experience can significantly increase conversion rates.

9. Confusing Information Structure

As your product catalogue grows, an organised structure becomes essential. Use clear categories, logical subcategories, and helpful filters to streamline browsing. Strong information architecture helps customers find what they need quickly and improves the effectiveness of internal search.

10. A Weak or Faulty Search Function

Many shoppers rely on search rather than navigation menus. Your search system should quickly display relevant products, recognise common spelling variations, and handle filters effectively. High-quality search functionality can dramatically boost user satisfaction.

By eliminating these common mistakes before launch, you’ll create a stronger foundation for your online shop. Once your site is running smoothly, you can concentrate on growth through ongoing ecommerce development, marketing, and future enhancements.