As the biggest shopping season of the year approaches, e-commerce business owners need to get ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM). If you have an online store powered by Shopify, this guide will help you prepare to make the most of BFCM 2024. In this complete Shopify BFCM guide, we will walk you through the best practices, strategies, and tips to ensure that your store is ready for the holiday rush.
Let’s jump in!
What is BFCM (Black Friday and Cyber Monday)?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) are the days when online stores see a huge surge in sales. People are actively searching for deals and discounts, making BFCM the perfect time to boost your Shopify store’s revenue.
According to Shopify, sales during BFCM have been increasing every year. In 2023, online shoppers spent a whopping $5.1 billion globally on Shopify stores during BFCM. This number keeps growing, so don’t miss out in 2024!
Why You Need a Shopify BFCM Guide
E-commerce business owners often feel overwhelmed when preparing for BFCM. But with the right planning and strategy, you can manage everything smoothly. This Shopify BFCM Guide will help you:
- Maximize sales during BFCM
- Improve your Shopify store's performance
- Provide an excellent shopping experience for customers
- Ensure your Shopify store is fully optimized
1. Optimize Your Shopify Store for Mobile
Mobile shopping is now the main way people shop online. In fact, over 72% of BFCM sales in 2023 were made on mobile devices! That means you need to make sure your Shopify store is mobile-friendly.
Tips:
- Test your store on mobile devices and make sure it loads fast.
- Use mobile-friendly themes provided by Shopify.
- Keep the design simple, with easy-to-read fonts and buttons that are big enough to tap.
2. Prepare Your Inventory
One of the worst things that can happen during BFCM is running out of stock. You don't want to disappoint customers, so planning your inventory is essential. Look at your sales data from previous years to estimate how much stock you will need.
Remember: It's always better to have a little more than not enough during BFCM!
Pro Tip: Consider reaching out to a Shopify Development Partner for help managing inventory and setting up stock notifications to keep your customers informed about product availability.
3. Create Attractive BFCM Discounts
Shoppers are looking for the best deals during BFCM. You can attract more customers by offering special discounts and bundles.
Ideas for Discounts:
- Percentage-off deals (e.g., 25% off all products)
- Buy One Get One Free (BOGO)
- Free shipping on all orders
Note: Use Shopify’s discount feature to set up these offers easily in your store.
4. Speed Up Your Shopify Store
Fast-loading websites lead to better user experiences, which means more sales. According to research, a 1-second delay in page loading can result in a 7% decrease in conversions. Speed is especially important during BFCM when traffic spikes.
Quick Tips to Speed Up Your Shopify Store:
- Use compressed images to reduce load time.
- Limit the use of apps and plugins that slow your site down.
- Use a reliable content delivery network (CDN) for faster loading.
If you’re not sure how to optimize your store speed, a Shopify Development Partner can help you fine-tune everything.
5. Create a BFCM-Specific Marketing Campaign
You need to let customers know about your awesome deals! Planning your marketing campaigns ahead of time will help you build excitement and drive traffic to your Shopify store.
Marketing Checklist:
- Email Marketing: Send out BFCM countdown emails to build anticipation.
- Social Media Ads: Use Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads to target your audience.
- Influencers: Partner with influencers to promote your BFCM deals.
Pro Tip: Send abandoned cart emails during BFCM. Many customers add items to their cart but forget to complete their purchases. A friendly reminder could turn them into buyers!
6. Ensure Your Checkout Process is Smooth
A complicated checkout process can lead to abandoned carts, especially during BFCM when customers are in a hurry.
Remember: The fewer steps in your checkout process, the better.
Use Shopify’s optimized one-page checkout to make the process easier for your customers. Ensure that your payment methods (credit cards, PayPal, etc.) are functioning properly, and consider offering guest checkout for faster transactions.
7. Test Everything Before BFCM Starts
Testing is crucial before BFCM begins. You don't want any last-minute surprises!
What to Test:
- Test the mobile version of your site to ensure everything works.
- Test your discount codes to make sure they apply correctly.
- Test the checkout process to ensure it’s smooth.
Quick Note: It’s a good idea to have a Shopify Development Partner review your website’s setup and make any necessary changes before the big day.
8. Enhance Customer Support During BFCM
More traffic means more customer questions. Make sure you have enough customer support in place to handle the increase in queries.
Tips for Customer Support:
- Add a chatbot to your Shopify store for quick responses.
- Create a detailed FAQ page with common BFCM questions.
- Ensure you have enough support staff available during peak hours.
“Customer service shouldn’t just be a department; it should be the entire company.” — Tony Hsieh, Zappos CEO.
Also Read - How Shopify Supports New E-commerce Entrepreneurs
9. Set Up Shopify Analytics
Knowing how your store is performing during BFCM is important. Shopify has built-in analytics tools that can help you track key metrics like sales, traffic, and conversions.
Metrics to Track During BFCM:
By keeping an eye on these numbers, you can adjust your strategy in real-time if necessary.
10. Have a Backup Plan
Finally, it's always a good idea to have a backup plan in case things don’t go as expected. High traffic can sometimes cause your website to crash, and if you aren’t prepared, it could result in a loss of sales.
What to Do:
- Have a backup of your store’s data.
- Choose a reliable hosting service to handle traffic surges.
- Work with a Shopify Development Partner to monitor your store's performance during BFCM.
FAQS
1. What is BFCM?
- BFCM stands for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These are two of the biggest shopping days of the year when customers look for the best deals online. For e-commerce businesses, it’s a great opportunity to increase sales.
2. Why should I prepare for BFCM on Shopify?
- Preparing for BFCM is important because you can get a lot more customers during this time. Shopify helps you set up discounts, promotions, and other features to make shopping easier for your customers. With more traffic during BFCM, your store can make more sales if it’s properly set up.
3. How do I make my Shopify store mobile-friendly for BFCM?
- Most people shop using their phones during BFCM. To make your Shopify store mobile-friendly:
- Choose a Shopify theme that works well on mobile.
- Test your store on a smartphone to see how it looks and works.
- Make sure buttons and text are easy to click and read on small screens.
4. What kind of discounts should I offer during BFCM?
During BFCM, shoppers expect great deals. You can offer:
- Percentage-off discounts (like 20% off everything)
- Buy One Get One Free (BOGO) deals
- Free shipping on all orders Setting up these deals is easy using Shopify’s built-in discount feature.
5. How do I avoid running out of stock during BFCM?
To avoid running out of stock:
- Check your past sales data to estimate how much stock you’ll need.
- Order a bit more than usual to be safe.
- Use Shopify’s stock tracking tools to keep an eye on your inventory during BFCM.
Conclusion
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are crucial opportunities for e-commerce businesses. With the right preparation, you can capitalize on the rush and significantly boost your sales. By following this Shopify BFCM Guide, you’ll ensure your store is ready for the 2024 BFCM season.
Remember, don’t hesitate to reach out to a Shopify Development Partner if you need assistance. These experts can help you with everything from site optimization to customer support.
Looking for help with your Shopify store this BFCM? Tameta Tech is here to support you! As a trusted Shopify Development Partner, we make sure your store is fast, smooth, and ready for big sales. Let’s work together to boost your BFCM success! Contact us today!
With this checklist, your Shopify store will be fully prepared to take advantage of BFCM 2024. Now, it's time to start planning and get ready to watch your sales soar!
