Running a Shopify store comes with plenty of challenges, but one issue stands out: low conversions. You’ve put time into driving traffic, but for some reason, visitors aren’t turning into customers.
After working with dozens of Shopify brands, I’ve noticed a few consistent problems that kill conversions—and they’re all fixable. Here are the five most common reasons your Shopify store might not be converting and what you can do to turn things around. So let's dive right in...
1. Overcomplicated Product Pages
Product Detail Pages (PDPs) are where buying decisions happen. If they’re cluttered or lack clear information, customers won’t stick around.
What to Fix:
Simplify the layout: Stick to the essentials—features, benefits, and high-quality visuals.
Include trust-building elements like reviews, customer photos, and clear return policies.
Make sure your call-to-action (CTA) is obvious—buttons like "Add to Cart" or "Buy Now" should stand out.
2. Slow Page Load Times
A slow website isn’t just frustrating—it’s a conversion killer. If your site takes more than 3 seconds to load, many users will leave before they even see your products.
What to Fix:
Compress large images without losing quality.
Limit the number of active apps and plugins.
Use Shopify’s built-in performance tools to monitor site speed and optimise accordingly.
3. A Complicated Checkout Process
Abandoned checkouts often come down to unnecessary friction. If your checkout feels tedious, expect your conversion rate to suffer.
What to Fix:
Offer guest checkout options to avoid forcing account creation.
Be transparent with shipping costs and taxes upfront.
Simplify the process to as few steps as possible and use trusted payment icons for reassurance.
4. Lack of Personalisation
Generic shopping experiences don’t perform well. Today’s customers expect tailored product recommendations and relevant offers.
What to Fix:
Use Shopify apps like Klaviyo to offer personalised emails or pop-ups based on user behaviour.
Add dynamic sections like “Recommended for You” or “Recently Viewed.”
Tailor your homepage to showcase best sellers, trending items, or new arrivals specific to the season or user preferences.
5. No Data-Driven Testing
Making site changes without testing is risky. AB testing ensures you’re improving your store based on actual customer behaviour.
What to Fix:
Start small: Test button colours, product headlines, or promotional banners.
Use AB testing tools like Google Optimize or Optimizely.
Focus on high-impact pages like your homepage, PDPs, and checkout process.
Final Thoughts
Shopify stores that prioritise a seamless user experience consistently outperform those that don’t. Small improvements—better PDPs, faster loading times, a streamlined checkout, and data-driven updates—can make a significant difference.
If your store isn’t converting, focus on identifying and addressing these issues first. For brands willing to dig into the details, the payoff can be transformational.
Need help with the heavy lifting? Get in contact with us today.