“A Webshop Is Not a Catalog – It’s a Tool to Grow Your Business”
When asked about the biggest myth related to successful online stores, Bilić didn’t hesitate:
“Once you launch a webshop, orders will just start rolling in. That’s simply not true.”
A webshop isn’t a “set-it-and-forget-it” project that ends when it goes live. It’s the start of a long-term relationship with your customers – a sales and communication channel that needs constant improvement.
“If I Were Launching a Webshop Today, I’d Be Building for Long-Term Growth Foundation – Not Just the Plan for the Next 12 Months”
When asked what would an ideal webshop look like in 2025 for a small business, like a local juice producer for example, Bilić avoids complicated tech details. Instead, he focuses on what really matters:
“I’d choose a scalable platform, something simple. I wouldn’t overcomplicate things with an ERP unless it was absolutely necessary. I’d invest in a solid payment solution – Monri for Croatia, Stripe or PayPal for international markets. And most importantly, I’d invest in analytics and understanding the user journey.”
He emphasizes a flexible platform, clean design, and above all – a deep understanding of how users behave.
What are they looking for? Where are they getting stuck? How do they make decisions?
“It’s cheaper than ever to test your market. Every click tells a story. The only question is – are you paying attention?”
“Younger Generations Have Simpler Expectations – But They’re Harder to Deliver”
Bilić points out that Gen Z and younger shoppers pose a unique challenge – not because they demand more, but because they expect effortless clarity and convenience:
“Their expectations are simple – but meeting them is tough: everything must be clear, everything must work, payment should be fast, delivery should be next-day, reviews need to be there, and live chat has to work if something goes wrong.”
From TikTok to Shein, the standards aren’t being set by local webshops, but by global giants with massive UX teams and million-dollar budgets. But end users don’t know – and don’t care – what’s going on behind the scenes.
“A customer who ordered from Temu expects the same user experience from a small Croatian webshop. That’s the reality we’re living in.”
Three Mistakes No Webshop Can Afford to Make in 2025
After years of working with both domestic and international merchants, Bilić has developed a sharp eye for what kills conversions. The top three mistakes?
- Blindly copying the competition
“Copying your competitors misses the point – your webshop should tell your story.”
- Confusing user experience
Overcomplicated menus, clunky filters, a messy checkout – it frustrates users, especially younger ones.
- Hidden costs at checkout
“There’s no worse surprise than an unexpected fee right at the end. That’s when you lose the order – and the customer’s trust.”
For more insights on what to watch out for when building a webshop, click the link to the blog by Tanja Šincek—eCommerce consultant and founder of Webroom Agency, specializing in launching online businesses, developing ecommerce solutions, and optimizing sales.
