Successfully starting an ecommerce company is a marathon, not a sprint. It can take 18 to 24 months for your business to get off the ground. It's critical that you don't measure the success of your business by your first-year profitability.
Start an Online eCommerce Business Choose your niche. Do your research. Choose your product and target market. Validate your product. Decide how you'll get your product. Write your business plan. Pick your business name and legal structure. Apply for your EIN, permits, and licenses.
On average, about 80-90% of eCommerce startups fail within the first 120 days, primarily due to poor planning and execution. However, those that survive the initial stages tend to have a better chance of thriving.