Manage Your Hosted Store

Once your hosted store is live, you'll need to monitor its performance and manage day-to-day operations. This guide covers everything from viewing sales analytics to handling customer service.

Store Dashboard Overview

Your store dashboard provides a comprehensive view of your business:

Key Metrics

• Total Sales: Revenue generated over selected time period
• Orders: Number of orders placed and their status
• Customers: New and returning customer counts
• Conversion Rate: Percentage of visitors who make a purchase
• Average Order Value: Typical amount spent per order

Quick Actions

• View Recent Orders: See latest customer orders
• Manage Products: Update product information and pricing
• Check Inventory: Monitor stock levels
• Access Analytics: Dive deeper into performance data

Viewing Sales Analytics

Accessing Analytics

Available Reports

Understanding Your Data

Sales Trends

• Revenue Growth: Track month-over-month revenue changes
• Seasonal Patterns: Identify peak sales periods
• Product Performance: See which products drive most sales

Customer Behavior

• Visit Frequency: How often customers return
• Average Order Value: Typical spending per transaction
• Cart Abandonment: Where customers drop off in checkout

Managing Orders

Order Status Flow

Viewing Order Details

Order Management Tasks

Customer Communication

• Order Confirmations: Automatically sent to customers
• Shipping Notifications: Tracking updates sent via email
• Customer Inquiries: Respond to questions about orders
• Issue Resolution: Handle problems and complaints

Inventory Impact

• Stock Updates: Automatically adjusted when orders are placed
• Backorders: Handle out-of-stock situations
• Restocking: Replenish popular items

Customer Management

Customer Profiles

Access detailed customer information including:

• Order History: All past purchases
• Contact Information: Email and shipping details
• Preferences: Product types and ordering patterns
• Lifetime Value: Total revenue per customer

Customer Communication

Email Templates

• Welcome Emails: For new customer accounts
• Order Updates: Status changes and tracking info
• Marketing Emails: Promotions and new product announcements
• Re-engagement: For inactive customers

Customer Support

• Response Times: Aim for quick replies to inquiries
• Common Questions: Prepare FAQ for frequent issues
• Problem Resolution: Handle complaints professionally
• Feedback Collection: Gather customer opinions

Product Management

Monitoring Product Performance

Inventory Management

Stock Monitoring

• Low Stock Alerts: Get notified when inventory is low
• Reorder Points: Set automatic reorder thresholds
• Seasonal Planning: Adjust inventory for peak periods
• Dead Stock: Identify slow-moving products

Product Updates

• Price Changes: Adjust pricing based on performance
• Description Updates: Improve product descriptions
• Image Refresh: Update product photos regularly
• Variant Management: Add or remove product options

Store Settings and Configuration

General Settings

Regularly review and update:

• Store Information: Business details and contact info
• Legal Pages: Privacy policy, terms of service
• Tax Settings: Sales tax configuration
• Shipping Options: Delivery methods and rates

Design and Branding

Keep your store fresh:

• Seasonal Updates: Holiday themes and promotions
• Brand Consistency: Ensure all elements match your brand
• Mobile Optimization: Test on various devices
• Performance: Monitor page load times

Marketing and Promotion

Sales Campaigns

Planning Promotions

• Discount Codes: Create special offers
• Free Shipping: Incentivize larger orders
• Bundle Deals: Combine products for savings
• Limited Time Offers: Create urgency

Campaign Tracking

• Promotion Performance: Measure discount effectiveness
• Conversion Rates: Track campaign success
• Customer Acquisition: Monitor new customer growth
• ROI Analysis: Calculate return on marketing spend

Customer Retention

Loyalty Strategies

• Email Marketing: Regular newsletters and updates
• Social Media: Engage with customers on platforms
• Customer Reviews: Encourage product feedback
• Repeat Purchase Incentives: Reward returning customers

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sales Decline

If you notice decreasing sales:

1. Check Analytics: Identify where the drop occurred
2. Review Products: Ensure popular items are in stock
3. Examine Pricing: Compare with competitors
4. Customer Feedback: Survey recent customers
5. Marketing Efforts: Review recent campaigns

Technical Problems

For store functionality issues:

• Clear Cache: Browser and server cache
• Check Integrations: Stripe and other connections
• Test Checkout: Verify the purchase process
• Mobile Testing: Ensure mobile functionality
• Contact Support: Reach out for technical help

Scaling Your Operations

When to Hire Help

Consider hiring when you:

• Process >50 orders per month
• Spend >10 hours per week on store management
• Need specialized skills (marketing, design)
• Want to focus on growth rather than operations

Automation Opportunities

• Email Marketing: Automated campaigns
• Inventory Management: Automatic reordering
• Customer Service: Chatbots and FAQ systems
• Social Media: Scheduling tools

Best Practices

Daily Tasks

• Check new orders: Review and process overnight orders
• Monitor inventory: Check stock levels of popular items
• Customer communications: Respond to inquiries
• Sales tracking: Note any unusual patterns

Weekly Reviews

• Performance analysis: Review weekly sales data
• Product updates: Adjust based on performance
• Marketing planning: Schedule upcoming campaigns
• Customer feedback: Review and respond to reviews

Monthly Planning

• Strategic review: Assess overall business health
• Inventory planning: Order stock for upcoming period
• Budget review: Analyze expenses and revenue
• Goal setting: Plan for next month's targets

Next Steps