The holiday season is around the corner, and it is that time of year again when shoppers are eagerly searching for the best deals and discounts. As an e-commerce business, it is crucial to make the most out of this time by strategically planning and executing a successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday- BFCM sale. These two days have become a global phenomenon, with consumers eagerly awaiting the best deals and discounts to fulfill their shopping needs.
According to Shopify, last year’s BFCM generated over $9 billion in the US alone, making it an essential period for online retailers. With more and more consumers turning to online shopping, it is essential for retailers to strategize and prepare for BFCM to maximize their sales and revenue.
For Shopify store owners, BFCM presents a great opportunity to boost their sales and reach their yearly targets. However, with the high competition and the short time frame, it is crucial to have a well-planned and executed strategy in place. In this article, we will discuss the essential steps you need to take before, during, and after the BFCM sale to boost your Shopify sales.
Pre BFCM Checklist
The pre-BFCM period is when you lay the foundation for a successful sale. It is crucial to prepare and plan ahead to ensure a smooth and efficient BFCM sale. The following are some essential tasks to include in your pre-BFCM checklist:
1. Prepare your inventory
The first step to any successful sale is to ensure that you have enough inventory to meet the demand. Analyze your past BFCM sale data to identify the top-performing products and have enough stock for these items. Check your inventory levels regularly and order more products if needed to avoid stock shortages during the sale.
You can also consider pre-ordering products to ensure timely delivery. With the increase in sales, it is also essential to have a seamless fulfillment process in place to avoid delays and customer dissatisfaction.
Read more: 5 Tips for Running a Pre-Order Sale on Shopify
2. Optimize your website
A well-designed and optimized website can make a significant difference in your BFCM sale. Take the time to improve your website’s design, layout, and navigation to ensure a seamless shopping experience for your customers. Make sure your website is mobile-friendly, as more and more shoppers are using their mobile devices to make purchases. Additionally, optimize your website’s loading speed to prevent potential customers from bouncing off.
3. Create BFCM-specific landing pages
Creating a dedicated landing page for your BFCM promotions allows customers to easily find all your offers and products in one place. This page should be visually attractive, have a clear call-to-action, and highlight your best deals. You can also use this page to collect email addresses and offer exclusive deals to newsletter subscribers.
4. Offer discounts and promotions
BFCM is all about offering the best deals to your customers. Consider offering specific discounts and promotions to attract more buyers to your store. There are various types of promotions you can offer, such as percentage-off deals, buy-one-get-one-free offers, and free shipping. Make sure to set clear start and end dates for the promotions to create a sense of urgency.
5. Build anticipation
Creating buzz and excitement around your BFCM sale can help drive more traffic to your store. Use social media, email marketing, and other channels to build anticipation and let your customers know about the upcoming sale. Tease your promotions and deals to your followers, and create a sense of exclusivity by offering early access to your sale for your email subscribers.
During BFCM Checklist
With the pre-BFCM preparations in place, it is now time to focus on executing a successful sale. Here are some essential tasks to include in your BFCM checklist:
1. Monitor your website
During the BFCM sale, it is crucial to monitor your website regularly. Keep an eye on your website traffic, conversions, and any technical issues that may arise. Make adjustments as needed to ensure a smooth shopping experience for your customers.
2. Provide Customer Service
With the increase in sales and website traffic during BFCM, it is essential to provide exceptional customer service. Make sure you have enough staff to handle inquiries, respond to customer queries promptly, and resolve any issues that may arise. This will not only help you retain satisfied customers but also encourage them to make repeat purchases in the future.
3. Use Limited-Time Offers
Scarcity tactics are a proven way to drive sales and create a sense of urgency among customers. Consider limiting the number of discounted products or using countdown timers on your website to create a fear of missing out (FOMO) among customers. You can also mention how many products are left in stock to persuade customers to make a purchase before the stock runs out.
4. Collaborate with influencers:
Partnering with influencers in your niche is an excellent way to reach a wider audience and promote your BFCM sale. Find influencers with a significant following and work with them to create content promoting your sales and discounts. This can help increase brand awareness and attract new customers to your store.
5. Follow up on abandoned carts
Cart abandonment is a common problem for e-commerce businesses. During the BFCM sale, the stakes are higher as customers are bombarded with various deals and promotions. Send follow-up emails to customers who have abandoned their carts to remind them of the products and offer additional incentives to complete the purchase.
6. Offer Free Shipping
One of the top reasons customers abandon their carts is due to additional costs like shipping. Offering free shipping during BFCM can incentivize customers to complete their purchases and increase your sales. You can also offer a minimum order value for free shipping to encourage customers to add more items to their cart.
Post BFCM Checklist
After a busy BFCM sale, it is essential to take some steps to assess your performance and plan for the future. Here are some tasks to include in your post-BFCM checklist:
1. Analyze your sales data
Once the BFCM dust has settled, it is crucial to analyze your sales data to understand your store’s performance. Identify which products and promotions were the most successful and which ones you may need to improve on in the future. Additionally, look at your website traffic and conversion rates to gain insights into your customers’ behavior.
2. Follow up with customers
Thanking your customers for their support and following up with them post-BFCM can help build brand loyalty and encourage repeat purchases. Send thank you emails and offer coupon codes for future purchases to show that you value their business.
3. Restock popular products
If certain products sell out quickly, make sure to restock them to ensure you do not lose out on potential sales. You can add a “notify me” button to your stock-out product and keep customers informed when it becomes available again. You can also offer these products at a discounted price after the BFCM sale as a way to continue the momentum.
4. Collect and use customer feedback
Collecting feedback from your customers is a valuable way to understand their needs and preferences. Send out surveys to your customers to gather their thoughts on your BFCM sale and use the feedback to improve future sales and promotions.
5. Plan for future sales
BFCM is just one of the many sales opportunities throughout the year. Take the lessons learned from this year’s sale and use them to plan for future sales events. Continuously track your progress and make necessary adjustments to improve your sales and conversions.
Conclusion
To make the most out of the BFCM sale, it is essential to have a well-prepared checklist that you can follow before, during, and after the sale. By following the tips mentioned above and continuously monitoring and improving your strategies, you can boost your Shopify sales and set the foundation for a successful holiday season. The key is to plan ahead, engage with your customers, and continuously analyze and improve your sales tactics. With the right approach, your BFCM sale can be your most successful one yet.