My Journey to $500/Day Using Shopify.

Sythix said:

If you do the free item + shipping you're gonna see a lot of abandoned carts, where as if you ran a modern ecommerce store and were upfront with your prices and offered free shipping as a surprise, you'd probably see a lot less abandoned carts. Doing the giveaway method, there's no way around this. I've calculated my conversion rate to about %1-%2, so for every 100 visitors, I might get one or two sales.

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Thanks for clearing that up, not too experienced with the free method + shopify, but wow 1-2% conversion is low, but I guess people don't like to pay shipping and wait so long for shipping.

llandrew said:

What's up bro, sorry. Just was sorting a few things out with the website. I was habving an issue with Instagram ADs not displaying correctly and Facebook was offering the worst support. Finally got it fixed by using a different browser + using POWER EDITOR as well within Facebook. I'm attaching the last 7 days of my websites traffic + sales. Been a bit slow (I was also out of town visiting family).

I've started advertising on IG again today though. I'm doing only $10/day and I installed the pixel on my checkout page too to track the conversions. I'm having awfully shitty conversions (I feel like). Out of the entire life of the website I've had like 120 cart additions, 40 people get to the checkout and only 14 purchase womp womp. If anyone has any tips on getting higher conversions please share.

Good luck in your journey homey!!!

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Conversion rate usually gets better when you have a trusted followerbase, can be disheartening at the start I'm testing a new app from the Shopify store to improve conversions.

llandrew said:

Also...I still have yet to get in touch with anyone on here that's doing big sh*t on Shopify. Would love to chat and maybe pick your brain and learn from someone else who's doing really well. Would be awesome to have somewhat of a mentor. I clearly can hold the reins and make money on the website myself, but I know a little bit of advice and guidance from someone else who's been more successful than myself would help me do so much better. I can wish I guess lol.

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Do you have skype ?

I run multiple accounts on IG and could help you with getting traffic. Would love to know your experience with instagram ads, because I'm thinking to ramp it up at the start.
I've a shop currently setup for my accounts to run for the ecommerce website.

Possible to exchange information and advices.

Sythix said:

If you do the free item + shipping you're gonna see a lot of abandoned carts, where as if you ran a modern ecommerce store and were upfront with your prices and offered free shipping as a surprise, you'd probably see a lot less abandoned carts. Doing the giveaway method, there's no way around this. I've calculated my conversion rate to about %1-%2, so for every 100 visitors, I might get one or two sales.

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giveaway? from your ecommerce store?

txholdem said:

so have you been able to make any sales without paying for ads?
do you think you can make sales without paying ads?
are you trying to gain followers?

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It doesn't matter to me really. If I can do it without having to pay for ADs then duh, of course I'd prefer that. But I'm only spending $10/day...so not too big a deal.

Sythix said:

I just sent you a PM bud.

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Received and replied! ;-)

Thenub said:

Goodluck on journey, nice to see results, is that low conversion rate youre getting?
Seems okay to average to me..
But I do wonder why so many people get to cart and then not buy it, any ideas?

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No idea man. That's why I was looking for some other Shopify wizards to chime in. This is my 1st rodeo when it comes to eCommere.

Sythix said:

If you do the free item + shipping you're gonna see a lot of abandoned carts, where as if you ran a modern ecommerce store and were upfront with your prices and offered free shipping as a surprise, you'd probably see a lot less abandoned carts. Doing the giveaway method, there's no way around this. I've calculated my conversion rate to about %1-%2, so for every 100 visitors, I might get one or two sales.

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Hmmm, sounds like a good idea. I think I might try that next month. Or maybe if there was some way for the Shopify checkout to display a pop-up message stating 'LET'S MAKE A DEAL! WANT FREE SHIPPING? OKAY, COMPLETE YOUR CHECKOUT NOW AND WE'LL WAIVE THE SHIPPING FEE AND ALSO ADD $10.00 OFF. THIS OFFER IS ONLY VALID ONCE AND WILL NOT BE HONORED IF CHECKOUT IS ABANDONED!" I bet that would do well or some sort of variation of it. Not sure if that can be custom coded and done though.

Dbeck19 said:

Conversion rate usually gets better when you have a trusted followerbase, can be disheartening at the start I'm testing a new app from the Shopify store to improve conversions.

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Yea, I mean...in my opinion, this is all free money to me basically. I'm doing little work for it aside from being behind a computer screen a few times per day so I don't mind. It's something that I enjoy (the niche I'm in) so I def don't mind. I use the Motivator app and it seems "okay". I haven't noticed anything too great about it.

2xdswu said:

Do you have skype ?

I run multiple accounts on IG and could help you with getting traffic. Would love to know your experience with instagram ads, because I'm thinking to ramp it up at the start.
I've a shop currently setup for my accounts to run for the ecommerce website.

Possible to exchange information and advices.

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Yea I have Skype, I'll shoot you a PM bro always down to collab and share advice.

Just an update. Done a little bit more in sales this week than the previous, but my Instagram ADs were also stopped by Facebook after running for like 3-4 days. Facebook said that they exceeded the 20% text to image ration...bullshit. It's like, if you're killing it with your CPC's I feel like they f**k with your ad so you have to revise it and re-submit it etc. So that your CPC goes higher. Seems really sketchy. Anyways, I haven't had time to get another graphic AD back up with the Holidays and all. I'll get it done though.

I do feel as if I'm on the cusp of some great shit though with getting my sales scaled up. Just need a few more pieces of the puzzle to fall into place for me with targeted traffic to the website. I've got some Instagram users with large followings that are going to be promoting my stuff in exchange for free stuff, so hoping that'll help. We'll see and I'll let everyone know how that goes.

Merry Xmas everyone!

Journey Sales Update attached.

***UPDATE***

Okay, so as of today I have restarted my IG ads and I am pretty sure Facebook isn't going to disapprove 'em this time. So we'll see how well they perform. I've noticed already that I've had 175 impressions, 4 clicks and on my Shopify website I've had 2 cart adds...but no purchases (errrrr).

Hopefully this ad can continue to run continuously and I'll be able to spend my allotted $10/day on it.

I've attached an updated screenshot of sales as well just for good measure and to show. I've had a few people in the last few days asking about when they'll receive their product...annoying I've gotta wait so damn long on AliExpress. I've updated the Order Confirmation notice that customers receive to include verbiage for them that it takes 2-4 weeks to ship. So hopefully it stops people from bugging me about shipping. I tell them that they'll receive an email notification the second their product is shipped but they still continue to email and I give the same answer.

Fuc***g Groundhog Day everyday with customers lol

Did you check if you have some reviews left about your site on the web? It will be nice to check your reputation, especially as you seem to struggle with the shipping. Bad experience reports may also explain low conversion if your customers do their due diligence.

By the way, if you know you are selling, why do not store some of your best sellers? A small stock may ease this problem - but you will have some cash out.

In my first starting I also stared with Instagram but then I consumed more and more time without any feedback. I spend time but learn somethings from that experience. Though someone have confusion but I know that you will give you better feedback only you have to walk in a right way. All the best.. bye..

Andrew and I have been back and forth on Skype for a few days now, we want to start a group. Is there anyone else who is pretty successful with this method? (Not looking to mentor, so don't ask.)

Good luck on your journey I fail shopify I think

Good luck OP. Ill be posting my journey when Im ready and beginning with this too. I too kept thinking about the TAT problem. If you have a good enough, engaged following they'll listen to whatever you say. Don't think about it like shipping time, think of a way to spin it on its head. A special pre-order deal maybe? If your product price/value/quality is great enough people will wait. You just have to explain to them why it will haha. Mine has a different twist to it to avoid this but I think you'll end up making more in sales than me. Good luck brother! Ill PM you too to KIT through both our journeys.

Also why'd you decide on Shopify Trying to decide on how much flexibility I want for my platform.

You could try WooCommerce as it can easily connect to WP if you are already running a copy.

hanakuso said:

Did you check if you have some reviews left about your site on the web? It will be nice to check your reputation, especially as you seem to struggle with the shipping. Bad experience reports may also explain low conversion if your customers do their due diligence.

By the way, if you know you are selling, why do not store some of your best sellers? A small stock may ease this problem - but you will have some cash out.

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I have no reviews on the website left yet. I feel like I will cross that bridge once I get to it...opening a 'reviews' type of page on your business online is just opening myself to whole new can of worms to be managing and stressing about. I have way too many products to be carrying a 'popular' type. Additionally, I haven't even been open long enough to have a proper assesment of what a popular selling item is.

dav3416 said:

Good luck OP. Ill be posting my journey when Im ready and beginning with this too. I too kept thinking about the TAT problem. If you have a good enough, engaged following they'll listen to whatever you say. Don't think about it like shipping time, think of a way to spin it on its head. A special pre-order deal maybe? If your product price/value/quality is great enough people will wait. You just have to explain to them why it will haha. Mine has a different twist to it to avoid this but I think you'll end up making more in sales than me. Good luck brother! Ill PM you too to KIT through both our journeys.

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Once I come up with a good idea on how to reply on the TAT I will post it here. It's a pain in the ass to deal with though, I will say that much.

dav3416 said:

Also why'd you decide on Shopify Trying to decide on how much flexibility I want for my platform.

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I just already knew they had a simple platform and had everything I wanted. I already had been selling through Instagram and just didn't want to spend any more time building custom webpages etc. etc. I needed a website up and Shopify had everything I wanted. I'm on the $29/mo. plan w/ a few add-on apps. In all honesty, if you're worried about that kind of a monthly fee then your growth will be extremely slow. Because you will demonstrate that you don't have any kind of $ to put into your business. Do it once and do it right and you won't have to back track in the future with your business.

McGator said:

You could try WooCommerce as it can easily connect to WP if you are already running a copy.

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I'm honestly not a fan of WooCommerce. It has a bunch of limitations when you go into product variations far enough. Plus Shopify already has the product listing platform already setup within it. Another reason I went with Shopify, no custom coding for WooComm or any other type of eCommerce.

link to your site?

$2k in sales but very minimal orders? are you doing the "free" product or no?

good luck bro i wish you the best

DrClomid said:

link to your site?

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Sorry man, don't wanna share on here.

onelettershor said:

$2k in sales but very minimal orders? are you doing the "free" product or no?

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Yea, not doing the free product of course. I'm doing an actual store with majority of products from AliExpress and promoting it via IG ADs.

Just a small update. I'm on day 63 since launching my Shopify site. Things are still going pretty well over here. I've noticed that it seems like since I've removed the TAXES & SHIPPING from the website that I've been getting more sales. I removed them on Monday. I will need to give it a little more time though to really see.

I'm still using the Instagram ADs and spending $20/day on them. I'm posting a few times daily on IG as well. Nothing crazy time consuming though. I'm only running 1 ad set but about to ad another set and then increase the daily ADs spent to $30/day on IG.

I added an email capture pop up and have gained about 190 emails to the list in about a 25 days since adding too. Did my first e-blast last night but didn't get any sales from it. The list only has 253 contacts on it though and only about 40+ opened the e-blast. That's all for now!