Shopify is a hot favorite among business owners looking to build their ecommerce website. But did you know that there’s a security flaw on Shopify which could cause you to lose your competitive edge and disrupt your business?

Shopify’s order IDs are giving away too much information about your business

Order IDs on Shopify aren’t just a series of random numbers. In fact, if you observe closely, you’ll realize that all Shopify IDs follow the same format. 

The first order you’ll get for every Shopify store will always come with this order ID: #1001. Subsequent order IDs will be #1002, #1003, etc.

Just by looking at your order IDs, observant competitors can easily tell how your business is doing and make estimates on your sales volume.

You might like: What is Average Order Value and Why Should Your Small Business Care?

How this security flaw might disrupt your business

You might be wondering, “so what if people know how many orders I’ve had?” Here’s why it matters.

Dropshippers and competitors in your industry place fake orders just to know how much sales your online store is getting.

Sometimes, they even place 2 orders one day apart to estimate how many orders your store is getting in a day.

Smart ecommerce merchants are always on the lookout for profitable niches to go into. And what better way to do that than to get insights into competitors’ sales volume?

The danger of having more competition in your niche

Dropshippers are always on the lookout for niche products. Once they’ve identified a profitable product, they often flood the market with cheaper alternatives and impede the growth of existing businesses. 

Finding a profitable niche in ecommerce is tricky. As business owners, you’ll want to protect your competitive edge and profit margins.

With increased competition, you’ll need to think of new ways to make your products stand out, or even be forced into price wars to stay competitive.

Use a platform that safeguards your business information

At Cococart, we believe in empowering small businesses. And that means building features that are sensitive to our merchants’ needs. 

We know how important it is for small businesses to maintain their competitive edge, without losing their profits. That’s why order IDs on Cococart are intentionally formatted to keep order numbers vague.

See also: Cococart vs Shopify: Which is Better for Small Business?

Want to start growing with tools made for small businesses? Sign up for an account with Cococart and get your business on the right track!

FAQ

Should I choose to sell on ecommerce marketplaces or my own ecommerce website?

Both have their pros and cons. With ecommerce marketplaces like Lazada, Shopee and Carousell gives you access to a pool of customers who are ready to make a purchase.

However, it's harder to build a brand or contact your customers directly on these platforms.

On the other hand, having your own website allows you to build your own brand and build meaningful relationships with your customers directly.

Read this guide for the full comparison

How can I market my ecommerce store online?

You can market your store through social media marketing, sending emails, or word of mouth.

Social media marketing gives you the opportunity to attract new customers beyond your immediate social circle. Through posting engaging content on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok, you can access a wider pool of audience

Read this guide to learn all about social media marketing.

How do I start my home based small business?

Before you start your home based business, make sure to meet governmental requirements.

If you're based in Singapore, you'll need to register your business with ACRA and ensure that you meet URA's Home Office (HO) Scheme standards.

In this guide, we run through everything you need to know—from company registration to setting up your home office—to start running your own business from home.

Your Success is Our Success

‍Cococart is proud to be a company that puts local businesses first. After all, you’re the reason we’re here. We're on a mission to transform independent businesses to accept online orders. If you are ready to  sign up for a free trial simply register your store here, it only takes a couple of minutes.