Gold Coast small business Leina & Fleur is one of many around the state concerned with the language used to classify essential businesses.
Co-owner Fleur Richardson says online shopping is paramount to keeping her business alive.
"If everyone stopped online shopping overnight we would not have a business at all," she told AAP.
"We really want to get clarity not only for ourselves, but for our staff because there's a real fear-mongering around the language sometimes."
On Wednesday, Queensland Health released a list of essential retailers including supermarkets, food outlets, pharmacies and petrol stations as well as electronics, basic clothing and hardware retailers.
While the directives also encourage operations in a way that facilitates minimal or no contact with the community, there remains uncertainty as the list is a guide and "not limited to".