Black Friday – long-awaited, here at last. For weeks, Shopify sellers have geared up for one of the most significant sales events of the year. To cap up your preparations, we compiled a BFCM checklist just for you.
While you may have laid the groundwork with our recent guides on product selection, email marketing, retaining BFCM customers, and finding the best Black Friday products to sell, this final BFCM checklist ensures a seamless and successful BFCM experience.
We begin with website optimization.
Optimize Your Website for Mobile
The fastest BFCM purchases this season will happen on mobile devices. You don’t want to miss out on this stream.
Ensuring your Shopify store is optimized for mobile users is non-negotiable. Test your website on various devices to guarantee a smooth and user-friendly experience.
A responsive and efficient mobile site can significantly impact your conversion rates during BFCM.
Double-Check Inventory and Pricing
Avoid the frustration of overselling or pricing errors by double-checking your inventory levels and pricing strategies. Price fluctuations are not uncommon, especially with a large influx of buyers during a specific shopping window.
Leverage your Shopify dashboard to monitor stock levels in real-time and make any necessary adjustments. Implement clear and compelling pricing to entice BFCM shoppers.
Create Urgency with Countdown Timers
Generate excitement and a sense of urgency by incorporating countdown timers on your product pages and promotional banners. Black Friday begins today, but discounts can carry on over the weekend and for much of next week.
Countdowns create a visual cue for shoppers, encouraging them to make quicker purchasing decisions to avail themselves of exclusive BFCM deals. Set up one if you haven’t.
Utilize Exit-Intent Pop-Ups
Capture hesitant visitors with exit-intent pop-ups.
Craft persuasive messages offering last-minute discounts, free shipping, or exclusive BFCM deals to keep potential customers engaged and discourage them from leaving without making a purchase.
Optimize Checkout Process
A stressful checkout process can deter even the most excited shopper. Streamline the checkout process to minimize cart abandonment. Simplify steps, remove unnecessary fields, and implement an efficient one-page checkout if possible.
The goal is to make the purchasing journey as smooth as possible for your customers.
Leverage Social Media for Updates
Now that BFCM is here, don’t stop posting on your socials. Keep the engagement at an all-time high by constantly uploading BFCM deals and discounts.
Share sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and exclusive announcements to create a buzz. Encourage followers to share, like, and tag friends for increased reach.
Prepare for High Traffic
If you haven’t experienced one, expect a surge in website traffic during BFCM, and ensure your Shopify store can handle the load. Your store should not crash on a BFCM weekend. This is crucial to your BFCM checklist.
Optimize your website’s performance, leverage content delivery networks (CDNs), and work with your hosting provider to prevent any downtime or slow loading times.
Implement a Retargeting Strategy
Craft a robust retargeting strategy to re-engage visitors who didn’t convert initially. Utilize platforms like Facebook Ads and Google Ads to target specific segments with personalized messages, reminding them of the incredible deals awaiting them on your Shopify store.
Monitor and Respond to Customer Inquiries
Be prepared for an influx of customer inquiries. Despite your best preparations, there may be issues with checkout, pricing, bundle offers, etc. Monitor your customer support channels closely, respond promptly to queries, and provide exceptional service. Check your social media DMs to be sure you don’t miss out on an important message.
A positive customer experience during BFCM can result in repeat business and positive reviews.
Post-BFCM Follow-Up Plan
Don’t let the momentum fizzle out after Cyber Monday. Plan a post-BFCM follow-up strategy to express gratitude, gather feedback, and offer additional promotions to encourage ongoing engagement. Complete a proper inventory to identify gaps in your just-concluded strategy.
Building on the BFCM momentum can lead to sustained sales throughout the holiday season.
As you sell this BFCM season, this final BFCM checklist aims to ensure a smooth and successful sales event for Shopify sellers.
With careful planning, optimization, and a customer-centric approach, you’ll be well-positioned to make the most of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday excitement. Happy selling!
