As the holiday season approaches, one thing is clear: Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) are critical moments for e-commerce businesses, especially Shopify store owners. These two days represent one of the largest shopping events of the year, with consumers eager to find the best deals on their favorite products.
Shopify merchants broke the sales record in 2023 with $9.3 billion during BFCM, a 24% increase over the previous year. A staggering 61 million consumers bought products from Shopify-powered companies, reflecting the immense opportunity for online retailers.
In this post, we’ll explain why BFCM is essential for your Shopify store, how to prepare for these hectic shopping days, and provide 7 actionable suggestions to maximize your sales during this peak season.
What is BFCM?
BFCM refers to the shopping frenzy that takes place during the last weekend of November. It begins with Black Friday, which occurs the day after Thanksgiving, followed by Cyber Monday.
While Black Friday is traditionally associated with in-store sales, it has rapidly evolved into a major online shopping event. Cyber Monday was created to encourage online shopping and has since become one of the biggest days for e-commerce sales. Together, these two days mark a critical period for retailers to boost their sales, clear out inventory, and attract new customers. According to Shopify, on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, more than 55,000 merchants had their highest-selling day ever on Shopify.
What Date is Black Friday & Cyber Monday?
For 2024, Black Friday will fall on November 29, followed by Cyber Monday on December 2. Mark these dates on your calendar, as they are pivotal for your sales strategy!
How to Prepare for BFCM?
Preparation is key to making the most of BFCM. Here are some essential steps to get your Shopify store ready:
- Plan Your Promotions
Start planning your Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions early. The earlier you begin, the more time you'll have to refine your strategies and create enticing offers that attract customers. Consider offering discounts, such as 20% or 30% on selected products or a fixed dollar amount off purchases over a certain threshold.
Bundle deals can also be effective. For example, you could implement a buy one, get one (BOGO) offer or create product bundles at discounted prices to encourage customers to buy more. Free shipping is another great incentive for your customers. You might offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount or provide sitewide free shipping during the BFCM weekend to boost conversion rates.
Moreover, reward your loyal customers by giving them early access to sales through VIP promotions or pre-sale events. This is an easy way to create a sense of urgency and exclusivity. Flash sales with time-limited offers, such as “50% off select items from 12 PM to 3 PM,” can drive quick sales, while daily deals throughout the BFCM weekend keep customers returning to your store.
- Optimize Your Store
Ensure your Shopify store is optimized for a smooth shopping experience. This includes checking load times, simplifying the checkout process, and making your website mobile-friendly. Google reports that 53% of mobile users will abandon a site that takes longer than three seconds to load.
Additionally, a streamlined checkout process is crucial. Hence, consider minimizing the number of steps required to complete a purchase and offering guest checkout options to reduce friction. Implementing features like auto-fill for forms and clear progress indicators can further improve the shopping experience of your customers.
- Stock Up on Inventory
Anticipate high demand for popular products and ensure you have enough inventory to meet customer needs. Running out of stock can lead to lost sales and disappointed customers. To avoid this, past sales data and trends should be analyzed to forecast which products are likely to be in demand during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping events.
Consider implementing inventory management tools that provide real-time updates on stock levels and alert you when items are running low. It may also be wise to establish relationships with suppliers to facilitate quick restocking if necessary. Remember, a well-stocked inventory not only satisfies customer expectations but also positions your store as a reliable option during the busy holiday season, encouraging repeat business long after BFCM ends.
- Utilize Email Marketing:
Build anticipation for your sales by sending out email campaigns leading up to BFCM. Start by segmenting your email list to tailor your messages for different customer groups, ensuring that each email resonates with its audience. Use engaging subject lines that create a sense of urgency, such as “Exclusive Sneak Peek: BFCM Deals You Can't Miss!” and incorporate clear calls to action that guide readers to your online store.
It’s also a good idea to include visually appealing graphics that highlight your best offers. For inspiration, check out this article from Klaviyo on Make Every Message Count: 11 Black Friday/Cyber Monday Email Examples for 2024. These examples showcase effective strategies that can help you craft compelling emails that drive clicks and conversions. By keeping your audience informed and excited, you can maximize engagement and ensure that they are ready to shop as soon as your BFCM promotions go live.
- Enhance Your Product Pages
Use high-quality images and detailed descriptions to showcase your products effectively. To take your product pages to the next level, consider leveraging Metafields and the latest theme extensions from apps like Accentuate.
Metafields allow you to include additional information that can significantly influence purchase decisions. For example, you can display details such as care instructions, product dimensions, or unique features right on the product page. Therefore, ensuring that customers have all the information they need at their fingertips.
Moreover, you can incorporate Accentuate’s Sticky Promo Bar theme extension to grab customer attention with timely announcements or special offers. This feature allows you to highlight promotions or important messages, ensuring they remain visible as customers browse your site. Coupled with the ability to showcase related products through metafields, you can enhance cross-selling opportunities and keep customers engaged longer on your site. By suggesting complementary items, you not only improve the shopping experience but also increase the average order value.
Furthermore, using Accentuate’s Reference Manager, you can efficiently prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) by quickly applying BFCM Metaobjects to all relevant products. This allows you to update product details with festive keywords and connect related products to promote upsells - all in one go.
- Leverage Social Media
Promote your BFCM deals on social media platforms to reach a broader audience. Consider running ads or collaborating with influencers to boost visibility. According to Curalate, 76% of consumers purchase products they see on social media. Therefore, utilizing social media platforms is a must.
To further capitalize on this, create holiday gift guides and themed collections that make it easy for customers to find the perfect gift. By promoting these curated selections on social media, you can engage your audience and encourage them to explore your offerings, and ultimately increase your chances of conversions during the BFCM shopping frenzy.
Lastly, running social media contests or giveaways can generate excitement and attract new followers, further increasing your reach. By diversifying your promotional strategies and planning early, you can create excitement around your BFCM sales and appeal to a wide range of customers.
- Prepare for Customer Inquiries
Expect an influx of customer questions during this busy time as shoppers seek assistance with everything from product details to order statuses. To ensure a smooth experience, it’s crucial that your customer service team is well-prepared to handle inquiries promptly and efficiently.
Consider implementing live chat options on your website to provide real-time support, as this can significantly enhance customer satisfaction. Additionally, ensure that your team is well-versed in common queries and has access to up-to-date information about promotions, stock levels, and shipping times. Preparing a comprehensive FAQ section can also help address frequent concerns proactively, allowing your team to focus on more complex inquiries. By prioritizing excellent customer service during BFCM, you can build trust with your customers and encourage repeat business long after the shopping frenzy ends.
Conclusion
BFCM is a golden opportunity for Shopify store owners to boost sales and engage with customers. By understanding the importance of this shopping event and implementing strategic preparations, you can position your store for success. From optimizing your store and planning promotions to utilizing email marketing and enhancing product pages, every effort counts.
Get ready to make the most of BFCM 2024! Stay tuned for more tips and updates as we approach the holiday season.
How Accentuate Can Help with Your BFCM Strategy
Accentuate Custom Fields can be one of your most useful Shopify apps as you prepare for BFCM. By using Metafields, you can enhance your product listings with detailed information that captures customer interest. This not only helps improve customer confidence but also optimizes your pages for SEO, making it easier for potential buyers to find your products.
By utilizing Accentuate’s robust tools, you can create a more engaging shopping experience that maximizes conversions and prepares your store for a successful BFCM.
If you haven't yet downloaded Accentuate Custom Fields from the Shopify App Store, don’t miss out! Enjoy our special BFCM offer with promo code shopcircle for 20% off your purchase!
