Preparing for BFCM: Last-Minute Tips from Consentmo for Shopify Merchants

Hey Shopify friends! 👋 The BFCM hustle is real, and it’s crunch time! But don’t sweat it - Consentmo’s got your back with some easy-to-implement, game-changing tips that’ll help you smash those sales goals this holiday season. From optimizing your store’s performance to fine-tuning your marketing, these tips are designed to boost conversions and create a smooth experience for your customers. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Let the Countdown Begin!

Who doesn’t love a good countdown? Adding a countdown timer to your site creates a sense of excitement and urgency, signaling to customers that time is running out to grab your deals. It’s like the ball drop on New Year’s Eve, but for awesome BFCM sales! Whether you’re offering flash sales, special discounts, or a site-wide promotion, a visible countdown can motivate customers to take immediate action.

Pro Tip:

Include countdown timers in your email campaigns and social media posts to create a cohesive sense of time sensitivity across all touchpoints. Consider using dynamic countdowns that update in real time, even when users are scrolling through your emails or ads.

Latest Update for 2024:

Tools like Countdown Hero offer advanced customization options that integrate seamlessly with Shopify, allowing you to show time-limited deals on product pages, in the cart, or even at checkout. Test these tools before BFCM to verify they’re optimized and functioning smoothly.

Flash Those Sales!

Flash sales are the secret sauce for creating buzz and driving quick purchases. Sprinkle them throughout the BFCM weekend and watch your customers swoop in for those can’t-miss deals. Consider running flash sales at different times during the day to keep the momentum going and target shoppers in different time zones. By staggering flash sales, you can create a consistent stream of urgency, giving customers multiple opportunities to buy.

Pro Tip:

Use social media to announce and promote your flash sales with eye-catching visuals and engaging captions. Tease upcoming sales a few hours beforehand to build anticipation and get customers excited to snag those deals. Use features like Instagram Stories and Facebook Live to generate even more engagement and excitement.

Latest Update for 2024:

Implement geo-targeted flash sales! Apps like Bold Discounts now offer tools to create location-based sales, allowing you to offer exclusive flash deals depending on your customers’ region and time zone. This personalization can help increase relevance and conversions.

Get Your Inventory in Check!

Nothing’s worse than selling a product that’s already out of stock. This not only frustrates customers but can also harm your store’s reputation. Double-check your stock levels, especially for your bestsellers, so you’re all set for the shopper onslaught. Use inventory management tools to get real-time updates on your stock and reorder fast-moving items to avoid running out.

Pro Tip:

Set up low stock alerts for your team and consider creating a “Back in Stock” email list. If an item sells out, customers can be notified when it’s available again - turning a missed sale into a future conversion!

Latest Update for 2024:

Shopify’s new Inventory Forecasting tool uses AI to predict which products will be in high demand during BFCM based on past data and current trends. Leverage these insights to prioritize restocking and avoid overselling. If a product does go out of stock, do your best to update your website immediately and offer alternative product recommendations.

Speedy Shipping = Happy Customers

We’re all a little impatient, right? Offering express shipping options confirms your customers’ goodies arrive faster than they can say “BFCM sale!” Highlight your fastest shipping options on your product pages and during checkout to create confidence in on-time delivery, especially for last-minute shoppers looking for gifts.

Pro Tip:

Promote free shipping for orders over a certain amount to encourage larger purchases. If you can’t offer free express shipping, consider adding it as a paid upgrade option for those who want to receive their orders ASAP. Make sure to communicate estimated delivery dates clearly to avoid customer confusion.

Latest Update for 2024:

Shopify’s Estimated Delivery Date feature allows you to display dynamic delivery dates based on a customer’s location and shipping method, reducing cart abandonment and building trust. Use this feature to provide transparency and set clear expectations on when shoppers can expect their packages.

Make Mobile Your BFF

Most shoppers will visit your store from their phones, so it’s vital that your site looks amazing and works like a charm on any device. Responsive design is a must, but it’s just the start. Make sure that your mobile experience is smooth, with easy navigation, quick loading times, and simple checkout flows.

Pro Tip:

Use mobile-specific discounts to drive sales. Add small banners or pop-ups that are visible only on mobile devices, offering mobile-exclusive deals or early access to BFCM promotions. This can incentivize mobile users to shop more and boost your mobile conversion rate.

Latest Update for 2024:

Google’s Core Web Vitals are becoming even more important for mobile search rankings. Focus on optimizing Largest Contentful Paint (LCP), First Input Delay (FID), and Cumulative Layout Shift (CLS) to keep your mobile pages fast and user-friendly. Also, test your site across multiple devices to provide a seamless experience.

Checkout in a Flash

Nobody likes long lines, even online. Streamline your checkout process so it’s as quick as snapping a selfie. Use a one-page checkout, offer multiple payment options, and minimize the number of fields a customer has to fill out. Test your checkout process to verify there are no bugs or unnecessary steps that could frustrate buyers.

Pro Tip:

Enable accelerated checkout options like Shop Pay, Apple Pay, or Google Pay for faster checkouts. These options allow customers to skip manual entry and complete their purchases in just a few clicks.

Latest Update for 2024:

Shopify now supports Express Checkout Buttons that appear automatically when users are logged into their accounts. Use these to reduce friction for repeat customers, and guarantee that your checkout process is as smooth as possible.

Cart Abandonment No More!

Send a gentle nudge (or a sweet deal) to those who left their carts lonely. With the surge in traffic, expect more abandoned carts than usual. Set up abandoned cart emails to remind shoppers of what they left behind and offer a special discount or free shipping to bring them back.

Pro Tip:

Add urgency in your follow-up emails with phrases like “Items in your cart are selling fast!” or “Your cart is waiting - complete your purchase before it’s gone!” to encourage immediate action.

Latest Update for 2024:

New Shopify Flow automation templates let you set up complex workflows to trigger cart abandonment emails based on time delays, products in the cart, or even customer behavior, making your follow-up strategy more effective.

Don’t Overlook Compliance!

With all the excitement around Black Friday, it’s easy to overlook legal requirements. That’s where Consentmo comes in! Make sure your cookie banners, privacy policies, and data handling practices are up-to-date with GDPR, CCPA, and other regulations. Consentmo’s all-in-one compliance solution handles cookie consent, DSARs, and privacy policies, so you can focus on selling.

Pro Tip:

Use Consentmo’s DSAR feature to handle Data Subject Access Requests faster and more efficiently during BFCM’s peak traffic. This not only saves time but also confirms you’re fully compliant, even under pressure.

Conclusion:

With these last-minute BFCM tips, your Shopify store is all set to wow customers and maximize sales. Implement these strategies, track your performance, and adjust as needed to turn the holiday rush into a record-breaking success. And don’t forget - you can download Consentmo’s Ultimate BFCM Checklist to make sure you’ve covered all your bases!

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