Common South African Business Mistakes & Easy Fixes
Let me just say this upfront – I don’t know the ins and outs of your business. Maybe you’re slinging the best biltong in town or running a plumbing empire out of Pinetown. That’s your lane. Mine? Marketing, strategy and getting more people to notice how brilliant you are.
But, over the years I’ve worked with small businesses in South Africa and around the world, and a few common patterns have popped up. Not in a “you’re doing it all wrong” kind of way. More like, “ah, I’ve seen this before, and here’s how some folks fixed it without losing their minds or their money.”
So, here’s a list of practical, low-fuss, real-life mistakes I see often… and even mistakes I’ve made in the past. With fixes that actually work. No filler, no corporate waffle, no judgement. Just stuff to help you keep your business going strong.
1. Underestimating load‑shedding impact
Load shedding hits hard. Nearly half of small business owners in South Africa report up to 20 % revenue loss during outages.
Fix:
EskomSePush is an absolute must - even if you’ve got backup power. Know when loadshedding is about to hit and plan for them. No virtual meetings until it’s either over, or just started/finished. Even with backup power, switching between them can be a pain sometimes. Make sure you’re prepared.
I use GoSolr to rent solar power. You get uninterrupted power during blackouts without paying a fortune up front. It’s incredible how many people aren’t aware that these services are available to rent. To fire up a whole building costs in excess of R100k if you’re looking to buy it out-right, but renting is so much simpler and way more cost-effective (not in the long run, obviously, but very few businesses are able to take on that kind of expense). I think it cost us R1.5k to get our house set up with the rental and we more than make up for it in the Eskom saving.
Also get backup Wi Fi batteries. Keep them away from hot places like next to the fridge or stove.
If money is tight, a portable inverter is a great low‑cost option.
Finally use small UPS units to power phones, Wi Fi routers and tills.
Oh, a quick PS. Do your invoicing and bank work when power is on. If you have Microsoft, use OneDrive, so it’s constantly saved, or use Google Drive for the same result. With power dipping, you can’t afford to lose all your accounting because you forgot to press Ctrl+S.
2. Poor financial forecasts
Many businesses fail because they have no clear cash plan.
Fix:
Open a 12‑month cash forecast in Excel or Wave’s free cash flow tool.
Start with last month’s numbers. Write down every income and cost. Add 20 % extra to each cost just in case. Check it every month.
Even better if numbers are not your thing hire a local accountant or use AI to build it. Just make sure the AI is designed for finance. Do not rely on ChatGPT for something this vital.
Wave accounting is free and easy to use.
Track three simple numbers each week: money in money out and your bank balance.
Full disclosure, I can’t math. At all. I can’t even do my Grade 3’s math homework with her (which she’ll gladly tell anyone who’ll listen), so making sure my finances and forecasts are accurate is paramount. I get my husband, who can math, to check everything. I have a great accountant who I hire to do all my SARS stuff, so I don’t scr*w it up, and I am aware that this by far, not my strength. We all have our strengths and weaknesses - recognise the weaknesses and realise that delegating that to someone else, or outsourcing it, is not a weakness, it’s a strength.
3. Not testing your idea
Look, we all love our own ideas. But the real question is, do your customers? It’s not about asking for compliments or begging for feedback. It’s about testing what works and what doesn’t. Because if it’s not working, better to know now while you can still change it.
Fix:
Start small and test everything. Seriously.
Try selling your product in one new WhatsApp group or Facebook marketplace before buying loads of stock.
Offer two versions of the same thing at different price points and see which one people go for.
Post different types of content or ads and see which gets more clicks or leads.
Change your packaging or offer and track if more people buy.
Don’t overthink it. Just make one change at a time and see how people respond. Watch what gets attention, what sells fast and what sits untouched. That’s your answer.
And please don’t wait until your friend or cousin tells you it’s “nice.” If no one’s buying, it’s not working. Test it in the real world with real people and adjust as you go.
Keep it scrappy, keep it local, and keep your ears open.
4. Weak management skills
Running a business is hard. It is normal to feel you do not know enough. You don’t. None of us do. There is always room to grow.
Fix:
Get yourself a mentor through business networks. These groups are full of people who have already been there.
Sign up for LinkedIn Premium. Yes it costs but it installs you in a powerful network. It includes free courses with certificates and gives you stronger connections. You’d be hard-pressed to find a South African small business owner who isn’t on LinkedIn, so the network alone makes it a valuable asset.
You can also try open source university courses, if that’s your jam.
Later LinkedIn advertising could be smart. It costs more but is up to 500 % more effective than other social ads, because it actually targets the decision makers, rather than randoms who just happen to be in your area.
5. Buying too much stock
Too much stock means too much money tied up.
Fix:
Buy in small batches first. Keep note of fast sellers and slow movers. Only order more when you see real demand.
Looking at high cost gear? Consider leasing or buying second hand.
6. Using weak contracts
Oral deals or unclear agreements cause problems.
Fix:
Get simple written contracts for suppliers staff and service providers.
Spell out what each person must do and what happens if they do not.
Ask a legal advisor or low cost service to help. There are also a number of free/cheap resources online that will give you a template to use. You don’t have to be a lawyer to do this. But you do have to have something in place to protect you.
Do not hire permanent staff until your revenue can pay them for six months straight. I can’t emphasise this more. We have a responsibility to our staff and we need to ensure we protect them as much as we possibly can.
Tip: This is about managing expectations. This isn’t about getting bogged down in legal jargon. You need to make sure that your client knows what to expect, when to expect it and how much it will cost. Lay that down upfront, and you cut your complaints by half, if not more.
7. Ignoring customer feedback
This feeds back to point 3. Often business owners only hear their own voice. That can be a problem. We get so caught up in what we think customers want, instead of listening to them. It’s an easy thing to do, and no one is judging you, but accept constructive criticism, listen to what they’re saying and adapt. Be grateful for the people who take the time to feed back to you.
Fix:
Ask customers three simple questions:
Where did you find us
Will you come back
Why do you come back
Ask them face to face or on WhatsApp. Listen to what they say and make small improvements. That keeps your business real and useful. In SA, we tend to ignore automated surveys or questions, so ask them in person, if you have the ability to, or at least find a way to personalise the request.
8. No simple marketing plan
Many owners skip simple marketing steps.
Fix:
Pick three platforms: Google ads, Facebook, Instagram and, right now, add LinkedIn.
Start with just R400 to R600 per week.
Track impressions clicks and sales.
When you see what works invest more in that channel.
Don’t invest a ton of money into a platform before testing it. In today’s economy, we can’t afford it. Start small, build up when you know what works.
If you need help pop me a line. Yes, this is a blatant sell, but if you struggle with this bit, I can actually help you.
9. Keeping skills sharp
Your knowledge needs refreshing - especially in business. There is no end to the growth that we can do as small business owners.
Fix:
Keep learning with CPD short courses. Open source university courses help here too.
LinkedIn Learning is amazing for this. You get cheap, easy to follow, small certificates help show your skills are current and help you stay in business.
Try to do at least one training event every three months.
10. Staying compliant
You can’t afford not to follow legal and tax rules. You could lose much more than money. So, if you’re going to take anything from this blog, take this home. Stay compliant. No matter what the cost - it will always cost you more to cut corners.
Fix:
Register your business properly.
Keep up with SARS, CIPC and UIF. File all returns on time.
Use a local accountant or bookkeeper if you need to.
If you’re like me, this is a point to remember: Get a good accountant who will do this for you and remind you to send them what you need. It’s absolutely invaluable.
Being compliant helps you win bigger clients and qualify for grants and tenders. It also reduces stress, keeps SARS off your back and generally works as a all-round business foundation.
Want Help With your Marketing?
I can help. I offer marketing and social media setup and design services made for small South African businesses. No retainers. No fluff. Just what works.
📅 Book a call here
WhatsApp: 067 601 0605
sez@sezdg.com