The Hidden Problems Behind Poor E-Commerce Operations

Rapid growth is great for any brand, but scaling without the right systems often creates chaos. Many businesses unknowingly suffer from manual errors, inaccurate inventory, and slow fulfillment—all symptoms of inefficient ecommerce operations.

In this guide, we break down the seven most common mistakes brands make and how fixing them improves speed, accuracy, and profitability.

Table of Contents

• 1. Relying Too Much on Manual Workflows
• 2. No Real-Time Inventory Sync
• 3. Disconnected Marketplaces and Systems
• 4. Poor Warehouse Organization
• 5. Slow or Inaccurate Fulfillment
• 6. Lack of Clear Return & Cancellation Workflow
• 7. No Data Visibility or Reporting

1. Relying Too Much on Manual Workflows

Many brands still use spreadsheets, manual order checks, and back-and-forth messages between teams. This creates:

• Slow order processing
• High error rates
• Lost or duplicated orders

Automation is essential. Tools like Order Management Systems (OMS) remove repetitive tasks and reduce human error.

2. No Real-Time Inventory Sync

When inventory updates are not synchronized across channels, businesses face:

• Overselling
• Stockouts
• Cancellations
• Angry customers

A real-time inventory system ensures that all marketplaces display accurate stock levels at all times.

Recommended systems:

• IMS like OctoPOS for simpler setups
• WMS for advanced warehouse operations

3. Disconnected Marketplaces and Systems

Brands selling on Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada, Shopify, and Meta often manage each channel separately.
This causes:

• Delayed order imports
• Conflicting updates
• Difficult performance tracking

With an OMS like Opollo, all marketplaces connect into one system, providing unified visibility and faster processing.

4. Poor Warehouse Organization

Warehouse inefficiencies often come from:

• No standardized picking process
• Items stored without logic
• Long walking time for staff
• No barcode scanning

A structured warehouse layout and WMS integration ensure:

• Faster picking
• Fewer mis-picks
• Clear item locations
• Higher throughput

5. Slow or Inaccurate Fulfillment

Mistakes in fulfillment directly affect customer satisfaction.
Common issues include:

• Wrong items shipped
• Missing items
• Delayed packing
• No automated shipping labels

OMS + WMS + 3PL integration fixes this by:

• Auto-syncing orders
• Auto-generating shipping labels
• Updating status in real time
• Reducing human error

Partners Opollo connects with: GHN, Grab, Ahamove, TikiNOW, Boxme, Smartlog, OctoPOS, and more.

6. Lack of a Clear Returns & Cancellation Workflow

Without a defined process, returns become:

• Slow
• Hard to track
• Costly

An OMS streamlines the process:

• Tracks return requests
• Updates inventory automatically
• Syncs statuses back to marketplaces

Returning customers feel more confident with smooth post-purchase experiences.

7. No Data Visibility or Reporting

Many brands operate blindly, making decisions based on assumptions instead of real data.
Without analytics, you cannot answer:

• Which warehouse is overloaded?
• Which product oversells the most?
• Which marketplace has the highest cancellation rate?
• Which courier performs the best?

Modern OMS solutions provide dashboards and reports that highlight issues before they escalate.

How to Fix These Mistakes Quickly

The fastest way to solve all seven issues is to adopt an OMS that centralizes and automates operations.

With Opollo OMS, businesses gain:

• Unified order management
• Real-time inventory sync
• Marketplace, warehouse, and courier integration
• Automated workflows
• Accurate reporting

Move From Operational Chaos to Predictable Growth

Operational mistakes slow growth more than low traffic or weak marketing. By improving your ecommerce operations, you unlock faster fulfillment, fewer errors, and stronger customer satisfaction.

To explore how OMS can transform your operations, visit opollo.onpoint.vn.