The Not-So-Digital Truth: 5 Real-World Challenges of Running an Ecommerce Business

Running an ecommerce store can sound like it’s all SEO keywords and slick Shopify checkouts, but let’s be honest – sometimes it feels like your living room is a distribution center and your life is ruled by shipping labels. Yes, you’re working online, selling online, and meeting your customers online… but the physical side of your business? THAT is what eats up your time (and occasionally your sanity!)

So if you’re in the ecommerce trenches – or thinking about jumping in – here are five physical challenges you’re likely to run into and some real-world stories and tips to help you handle them like the business boss you are.

1. Cutting Down Shipping Times (and Fees)

Shipping is the thing that feels easy until you’re deep in it. Balancing speed and cost while trying to give customers a five-star experience is no small feat.

When I had my Etsy store, I once shipped a super ornate vintage toilet paper holder (yes, really!) all the way to Hong Kong. It took about three months to get there – but I still got the best review from that customer. That’s the thing: if you’re shipping overseas, folks are often more patient than you’d think. That said, it’s totally OK to keep your shipping domestic-only, especially if that’s what works best for your systems and sanity.

It’s all about setting expectations and honoring your own boundaries. Want to ship internationally? Amazing. Prefer to keep it closer to home? That works too. Just make sure your policies are clear, your tracking info is reliable, and you’re communicating throughout the process.

2. Tracking Inventory Without Losing Your Mind

If you don’t have a system, you’ll have a mess. Period.

Ask me how I know! When I was deep into ecommerce, I had boxes and boxes and BOXES of stuff out in the garage. And without a real tracking system? Chaos. If you’re selling on multiple platforms like Etsy and eBay, it’s super important to get organized!

And when you don’t have any stock management software to use – to make spending, rotation, and wastage less of a problem – you end up doing it all by hand. Which sounds fine… until it’s not. That kind of manual tracking gets overwhelming fast, even on a smaller scale.

Inventory tracking isn’t just about knowing what you have, it’s about preventing over-selling, under-stocking, or shipping out expired, damaged, or degraded items. Bonus tip: your shipping supplies (yes, even bubble wrap!) have a shelf life too. Get your system in place early, even if it’s just a spreadsheet and a Sharpie.

3. Finding the Right Manpower (Even If It’s Remote)

Hiring help sounds like a big deal – and it is – but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

One of my best hires ever was a gal named Shell. She worked with me for YEARS. We both lived in Florida when we started, and I eventually moved to Denver… but we never met in person the entire time we worked together. Still, she was an absolute delight and an invaluable part of my business.

Don’t discount the power of a great remote worker, especially one that comes highly recommended. You don’t have to build a giant team – just the right one. Be clear about what you need, make it clear in the description, and keep the interviewing stage as remote as possible!

4. Workspace Woes: Where Does It All GO?!

If you’ve ever packed orders on your kitchen table or hidden shipping labels in a junk drawer, welcome to the club.

In one season of my business, I turned a kitchen cabinet into a mini shipping station. I’d pull everything down, pack orders, and then tuck it all back in place. It worked! Eventually I moved it to the garage, which was better space-wise – but not perfect. It was hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and let’s not even talk about humidity.

The point is: your workspace doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to function. Whether it’s a dedicated room, a rolling cart, or a corner of your laundry room, find a system that works for you and keeps your sanity intact.

5. The Shelf Life of Stuff (Yes, Even the Supplies)

Here’s something nobody tells you when you start: shipping supplies expire. Yup. Your bubble wrap can stop bubbling. Your boxes can get damp in the garage and lose their structure. And if you sell anything perishable or sensitive? Even worse.

I learned this the hard way when I pulled out what looked like a perfectly fine shipping box… only to find it soft and slightly warped from humidity. Cue panic. Lesson learned: check your supplies regularly, rotate stock, and store things as carefully as your actual products.

Your customers don’t just care about what’s inside the box – they’re judging the whole experience, from tape to tissue paper. Make sure it holds up!

Running an ecommerce business is a wild mix of digital dreams and physical realities. It’s the bubble mailers and barcode printers, the late-night label runs, and those little “oops” moments that teach you what really matters.

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, just know you’re not alone – and you’re doing great! Tackle one system at a time, get clear on your boundaries, and don’t be afraid to find creative fixes that work for you.

Here are some more great articles that you might love:

• 17 Crafting Niches That Do Really Well on Etsy and Pinterest
• Doing Pinterest For Etsy Sellers
• Etsy Shipping Tips – How To Reduce Your Shipping Costs

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