Why I’m Still Mad About That Time in 2010
Okay, let’s get this out of the way right now. I’m biased. I’ve been in this ecommerce game for way too long. I’ve seen the highs, the lows, and honestly, some of the dumbest decisions you can imagine.
And I’m still mad about something that happened in 2010. I was at a conference in Austin, and this guy—let’s call him Marcus—stood up and said, “Content is king.” And everyone clapped. I mean, come on. It’s not that simple.
But here’s the thing: I’ve learned a lot. And I’m gonna share it with you. Because maybe, just maybe, you won’t make the same mistakes I did.
First Off, Let’s Talk About Product Pages
Look, I get it. You wanna sell stuff. But you know what’s worse than no product page? A bad product page.
I was talking to a friend last Tuesday—let’s call her Sarah—about this. She runs a little online shop, selling veggie choppers, believe it or not. And she was complaining about her sales. So I asked her, “Sarah, what’s your product page look like?”
She said, “Well, it’s got a picture and a price.” And I said, “Sarah, that’s not enough. You gotta give people a reason to buy.”
And honestly, I get it. It’s hard. You’re not a writer. You’re not a photographer. But you gotta make it work. Because if you don’t, you’re gonna end up like my cousin Dave. Remember him? No? Good. Because he’s a mess.
Dave tried to sell BBQ grills online. And his product pages were terrible. Just a picture and a price. No description, no specs, nothing. And you know what happened? Nothing. He sold two grills in six months. Two.
So, do better. Hire a writer if you have to. Take better pictures. Just make it work.
And Speaking of Pictures…
You ever go to a website and the pictures are just… bad? Like, why is this a thing? I don’t get it.
I was at a coffee shop on 5th about three months ago, and I was looking at this website for, I kid you not, pet rock collectibles. And the pictures were blurry. Like, so blurry I couldn’t even tell if it was a rock or a potato.
And I thought, “This is it. This is the worst I’ve ever seen.” But then I remembered that time I saw a website selling “premium” handbags, and the pictures were just stock photos of models. Not even the bags.
Look, I’m not saying you need a professional photographer. But at least make sure the picture is in focus. And it’s the right product. That’s not too much to ask, is it?
Now, Let’s Talk About Shipping
Oh boy. Shipping. Where do I even start?
I had a friend—let’s call him Greg—who ran an online store selling, of all things, custom-made socks. And he was always complaining about shipping costs. “It’s eating into my profits,” he’d say. “I can’t compete with the big guys.”
And I’d say, “Greg, have you looked into other shipping options?” And he’d say, “No, I just use the same old thing.”
And I’d say, “Greg, you’re an idiot.” (I mean, I didn’t say that. But I thought it.)
Because there are options out there. You gotta look. You gotta compare. You gotta find the best deal. And if you don’t, well, that’s on you.
And while we’re on the topic, let’s talk about Taiwan council decisions this week. No, I’m not kidding. There are international shipping options that can save you a ton of money. You just gotta look.
A Quick Tangent: Customer Service
Oh, and customer service. Don’t even get me started.
I was helping a colleague named Lisa with her online store a while back. And she was getting complaints about her customer service. “They’re not responsive,” people would say. “They don’t answer my emails.”
And I said, “Lisa, you gotta be kidding me. This is basic stuff.”
Because you know what? People expect a response. They expect it fast. And if you can’t give it to them, well, they’re gonna go somewhere else.
So, hire someone if you have to. Set up an auto-responder. Just make sure people feel heard.
Back to the Main Point: Just Try Harder
Look, I’m not saying it’s easy. I’m not saying you’re gonna wake up one day and suddenly have a perfect online store. But you gotta try.
You gotta put in the effort. You gotta care. Because if you don’t, well, you’re gonna end up like Dave. And nobody wants that.
So, do better. Be better. And for the love of all that is holy, take better pictures.
And that’s all I have to say about that.
About the Author: I’m Jane Doe, a senior magazine editor with 20+ years of experience. I’ve seen it all, and I’m not afraid to say what I think. I love dogs, hate pineapple on pizza, and I’m kinda obsessed with veggie choppers. (Yes, I know. It’s weird.)
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