8 Common Mistakes to Avoid in Your Print-on-Demand Business for Long-Term Success

Running a successful print-on-demand (POD) business can be rewarding, but like any business, it requires careful planning and attention to detail. Based on the insights from parts 1 and 2 of the video, here is a full-depth analysis of the critical mistakes to avoid, including strategies to ensure a smooth operation and increased profitability.

1. Not Informing Customers About Multiple Shipments

• Mistake: Many POD businesses rely on multiple suppliers to fulfill customer orders, which often means that different items in a single order may be shipped separately. If customers are not informed, they may be confused or concerned when they receive only part of their order.
• Solution: It’s critical to clearly communicate to customers that items may arrive in multiple packages, especially when using different suppliers. This can be done by:
  • They are adding a message on your store’s checkout page or in the FAQ section stating that items may ship separately depending on the supplier.
  • Automate emails through platforms like Shopify that provide separate tracking numbers for each shipment so customers are kept informed at each step.
• Impact: By setting clear expectations, you reduce the number of inquiries from customers wondering where the rest of their order is, which improves the overall customer experience.

2. Overcharging for Shipping Costs

• Mistake: Passing the total combined shipping fees from multiple suppliers directly to your customers can result in extremely high shipping costs. For instance, if a customer orders a hoodie and a tumbler from different suppliers, you may end up with separate shipping charges, which could add up to an excessive amount.
• Solution: Instead of charging customers the total shipping cost from each supplier, consider offering free shipping on orders above a certain amount (e.g., $50, $75). Here’s how to manage this:
  • Set up free shipping for orders over a certain threshold to encourage customers to buy more.
  • Absorb some shipping costs by adjusting product prices to account for the extra shipping expenses.
  • Alternatively, offer a flat-rate shipping charge that covers part of the shipping cost while keeping it reasonable for customers.
• Impact: Offering free or affordable shipping incentivizes customers to purchase more and increases your average order value (AOV), which boosts profitability. Charging excessive shipping can deter customers from completing their purchases, leading to abandoned carts and lost sales.

3. Not Controlling Shipping Costs Across Multiple Suppliers

• Mistake: Using several different suppliers without considering the cumulative shipping costs can quickly eat into your profits or result in high customer prices. The more suppliers you use, the higher your overall shipping fees.
• Solution: To maintain profitability, you need to manage shipping costs efficiently:
  • Limit the number of suppliers you use for your core products to reduce the complexity of shipping logistics.
  • Where possible, group products from the same supplier in the same order to minimize shipping charges. For example, if a customer orders multiple items, try to source them from the same supplier to lower overall costs.
  • Regularly review and compare shipping rates from your suppliers to ensure you’re getting the best possible deal.
• Impact: By optimizing your supplier strategy and managing shipping costs, you ensure that your business remains competitive in pricing while maintaining healthy profit margins.

4. Not Ordering Product Samples Before Selling

• Mistake: Failing to order samples before selling products is standard in POD businesses. Without handling the product yourself, you won’t know if it meets your customers’ expected quality standards.
• Solution: Ordering samples allows you to:
  • Inspect product quality: Ensure the item’s fabric, print quality, and overall durability match your brand’s standards.
  • Verify design accuracy: Make sure the designs you uploaded print as expected and appear visually appealing on the actual product.
  • Confirm shipping reliability: Check if the supplier delivers items on time and that the packaging is adequate for protecting the product.
• Impact: Product quality directly impacts customer satisfaction. Poor-quality products can lead to returns, refunds, bad reviews, and a damaged reputation. Samples also give you confidence when marketing your products, knowing they meet your expectations.

5. Ignoring the Importance of High-Quality Product Photos

• Mistake: While convenient, relying solely on mockups from suppliers lacks authenticity. Using only stock photos can make your brand feel impersonal and unengaging.
• Solution: High-quality, real-life photos of your products can significantly improve your marketing efforts:
  • Use your product samples to take authentic photos and videos of the items real people use or wear. This will bring a personal touch to your store and help customers visualize themselves using the product.
  • Leverage user-generated content from customers (with their permission) to create a sense of community and trust around your brand.
• Impact: Real photos make your brand more trustworthy and relatable, and customers are more likely to buy products they see being used in a real-world context. These authentic images boost conversion rates and help distinguish your store from competitors.

6. Not Treating the POD Store as a Long-term Business

• Mistake: Many newcomers to POD mistakenly think it’s a quick and easy way to make money. However, they often become discouraged when they don’t see immediate success and may give up too soon.
• Solution: Approach your POD store as a long-term business venture:
  • Be prepared for trial and error regarding product selection, pricing, and marketing. Not every product will be a bestseller, and going through periods of slow sales is common.
  • Continuously analyze data from your sales, customer feedback, and marketing campaigns to identify areas for improvement.
  • Stay persistent and adapt when things don’t work as planned. If a product isn’t selling, try adjusting the design, testing new marketing strategies, or focusing on a different niche.
• Impact: Treating the business like a long-term venture instead of a “get-rich-quick” scheme allows you to remain resilient through challenges. Most successful POD store owners have faced failures and slow periods but learned from them and adjusted their approach.

7. Failure to Incentivize Customers to Spend More

• Mistake: Focusing solely on individual item sales without encouraging customers to increase cart value can limit your revenue potential. Without proper incentives, customers may only purchase one or two lower-priced items.
• Solution: Use strategies to increase average order value (AOV):
  • Offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount to encourage customers to add more items to their carts.
  • Bundle items or create upsell opportunities. For example, suggest adding a matching accessory or complementary product to their order.
  • Run limited-time offers or discounts for larger purchases to motivate customers to buy more.
• Impact: By increasing the AOV, you maximize profits from each customer, which is especially important when fixed costs (like shipping) apply regardless of order size.

8. Giving Up Too Early

• Mistake: Many new store owners give up after encountering early challenges like low sales or marketing struggles. They might think the model is flawed or that they’re not cut out for it.
• Solution: Perseverance is critical to success in any business:
  • Be prepared for a period of testing and learning. Not every product will be a hit, and not every marketing campaign will work. This is part of the learning curve.
  • Don’t be afraid to fail forward—use early failures as valuable learning experiences and make adjustments.
  • Continually refine your marketing, optimize your product listings, and test different pricing strategies.
• Impact: Persistence separates successful POD entrepreneurs from those who quit too early. Learning from mistakes and making minor improvements over time can turn a struggling store into a profitable one.

Conclusion:

Running a POD business requires a balanced approach of strategic planning, attention to detail, and persistence. Avoiding these common mistakes—such as overcharging for shipping, not ordering product samples, failing to use real photos, or giving up too early—can significantly improve your chances of long-term success. Remember, POD is not a quick way to make money overnight, but with the right mindset, effort, and continuous improvement, you can build a profitable and sustainable business.