Mistakes, Risks and FAQ
Chargebacks, Payout Holds and Reserves for New Online Stores
How chargebacks, rolling reserves and payout holds work for new ecommerce stores, why they happen, how to respond to disputes and how to keep dispute rates low.
Mistakes, Risks and FAQ
Common errors, red flags, scams and honest pros and cons of running your own store.
Most expensive ecommerce mistakes are avoidable. Sellers underestimate total costs, ignore sales tax until a notice arrives, lock into long contracts, or trust an unsolicited offer that sounds too good to be true.
This section collects the problems that come up again and again. You will find a list of common platform mistakes, answers to frequently asked questions, a guide to red flags and scams aimed at new store owners, an honest look at whether running your own store is worth it compared with selling only on marketplaces, and a guide to chargebacks and account holds, which can freeze cash flow for a young business.
None of this is legal, tax or financial advice. Rules vary by state and by provider, and they change. Where a decision has real money or legal exposure, such as sales tax registration or a business structure, talk with a qualified accountant, attorney or your state revenue department. Use these guides to ask better questions and to spot problems early.
Guides in this topic
Mistakes, Risks and FAQ
Ecommerce Platform FAQ: Costs, Setup, Taxes and Switching
Straight answers to common questions about ecommerce platforms in the U.S., including costs, free plans, LLCs, sales tax, payments, SEO, support, and when to upgrade or switch.
Mistakes, Risks and FAQ
12 Common Ecommerce Platform Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
The most common and costly mistakes new online sellers make when choosing and running an ecommerce platform, from ignoring total cost to skipping sales tax and backups.
Mistakes, Risks and FAQ
Ecommerce Red Flags and Scams Targeting New Online Sellers
Learn the warning signs of scams aimed at new store owners, including fake platform support, guaranteed traffic offers, overpayment fraud, phishing and shady contracts, and how to respond.
Mistakes, Risks and FAQ
Is Your Own Online Store Worth It? Pros, Cons and Break-Even
Weigh the pros and cons of running your own ecommerce store versus selling only on marketplaces, with break-even math, hidden costs and signs that it is time to build your own site.