Small business issues are far and wide, yet you won’t really know about most until you experience them. No one tells you about some of the more challenging ones, so from economic costs to trends and customer demand, here are some of the more challenging to watch out for.
Transaction Fees and Chargebacks
There are many overlooked expenses when running a small business, and it can be hard to foresee them with minimal experience. Among the trickiest to handle are transaction fees and chargebacks. You may not even know these are things when starting out. A reliable and reputable merchant service provider will be upfront about fees and how you can handle chargebacks when customers want a refund, so it helps to carefully consider which to use.
Rising Costs via The Economy
No business is immune to the issues that a poor economy can cause. As we can see today in 2025, smaller companies and large organizations alike have been under pressure like nothing we have seen since the 1970s. The pandemic didn’t help, but even five years later, companies are facing enormous challenges. Economic issues such as inflation, rising business rates, and uncapped energy prices can place a massive burden on any business, not only small ones.
Small Business Issues with Employees
Employees are the bread and butter of a small business, and having the right team is essential. A UK survey found that it can cost an average of £11,000 for a small business to replace a skilled worker. You can conduct an employee skills assessment to ensure your existing staff is capable of the jobs you need. However, there are some common issues to watch out for:
- Some don’t respect smaller businesses like larger ones, so productivity can be low.
- Absenteeism can cost a small business much more than it does a larger company.
- Lack of resources can restrict employee training and cause stress through overwork.
Trends and Customer Demand
Following trends can provide a massive boost to revenue for a business today. Social media is a rich source of data, and acting upon this data might help sustain income. However, trends are typically short-lived, and no small business can rely on chasing them indefinitely. Businesses are also hostage to customer demand, which changes all the time. Declining demand for the product you offer can be the beginning of the end unless you are willing to change and adapt.
Supply Chain Problems
There are some things that are far beyond your control as a business owner. One of these is supply chain issues. The global, local, and national supply chains are more fragile than some people care to admit, and we have seen some significant disruptions over the past few years. Counteracting supply chain issues with backup plans and alternative sources can be the difference between a small business that lasts and one that simply goes down with the ship.
Summary
Transaction fees and chargebacks are small business issues that some new owners aren’t aware of. Of course, there are also many problems that can crop up because of employees. However, some things, such as supply chain issues, are also always beyond your control.
