6 eCommerce Expert tips: How to Prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday

The year's biggest shopping days are just around the corner, and eCommerce sellers are busy preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If you're one of them, you'll want to read these expert tips from Zack “ROI” Williams! He'll help you prepare for the big rush and ensure your business is as successful as possible during this busy time of year!

1. Start by creating a plan - what products will you offer, what price points and how will you promote them?

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are about getting the best deals, so your eCommerce customers will look for bargains. Make sure you have a plan in place to offer them just that.

"You need to clearly understand what products you want to sell, what margins you're willing to work with, and how much inventory you'll need to have on hand," says Zack. "You must also consider how you'll promote your products and deals. Will you use email marketing? Social media? Paid advertising?"

Creating a plan will help ensure that everything runs smoothly on your end and that you can take advantage of the increased traffic and sales these holidays bring.

2. Prepare your inventory and make sure you have enough stock to meet the demand

This is one of the most important things you can do to prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If you run out of inventory, you'll miss out on sales and could damage your reputation. Do some research to find out how much additional stock you'll need, and then order well in advance so you have plenty of time for it to arrive.

"You should also create a buffer of at least 20% more inventory than you think you'll need," says Zack. "This will help account for any unexpected spikes in demand and ensure that you don't run out of stock."

If you're unsure how to estimate the additional inventory you'll need, consider using a tool like Forecastr. This software uses data from your past sales to predict future demand and can help you plan accordingly.

By preparing your inventory in advance, you'll be able to avoid any stressful last-minute rushes and be confident that you have enough stock to meet eCommerce customer demand.

3. Set up shipping deadlines and make sure your packaging is sturdy enough to withstand the holiday rush

Another critical aspect of preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday is ensuring your shipping process can handle increased orders for eCommerce customers. This means setting firm deadlines for when orders need to be placed to arrive in time for Christmas and ensuring that your packaging is strong enough to withstand the rigors of holiday shipping.

"You need to make sure your shipping process can handle the influx of orders," says Zack. "This means setting firm deadlines for when orders need to be placed in order to arrive in time for Christmas, and ensuring that your packaging is strong enough to withstand the rigors of holiday shipping."

You should also consider offering expedited shipping options for eCommerce customers willing to pay a little extra to receive their orders sooner. This can help you make even more sales and keep your customers happy.

By setting up shipping deadlines and ensuring that your packaging is strong enough to withstand the holiday rush, you can avoid any shipping delays or problems that could damage your business.

4. Train your team on how to handle increased customer volume

Another vital part of preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday is training your team on handling the increased customer volume. This means ensuring they know how to deal with angry or frustrated eCommerce customers and upsell and cross-sell effectively.

"It's important to make sure your team is prepared for the influx of customer service issues that will inevitably come with Black Friday and Cyber Monday," says Zack. "You should provide them with a script of how to deal with angry or frustrated customers, as well as how to upsell and cross-sell effectively."

You should also consider offering incentives for your team members who can successfully sell products or services to customers. This can help them stay motivated and make even more sales during the holiday rush.

By training your team on handling increased customer volume, you can avoid any customer service issues that could damage your business.

5. Create social media posts and ads that will generate traffic and sales

Another essential part of preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday is creating social media posts and ads that will generate traffic and sales. This means creating creative content to capture people's attention and entice them to click through to your website or store.

"You need to make sure your social media posts and ads are creative and will capture people's attention," says Zack. "You should also offer incentives for people to click through to your website or store, such as discounts or free shipping."

Run social media ads that target specific demographics, such as Black Friday shoppers or people who live in cold-weather states. This can help you ensure your ads are seen by the people who are most likely to buy your products or services.

You can avoid any slow periods during the holiday rush by creating social media posts and ads that will generate traffic and sales.

6. Make sure your website is ready for the influx of traffic

Another vital part of preparing for Black Friday and Cyber Monday is ensuring your website is ready for the influx of traffic. This means ensuring that your website can handle the increased traffic without crashing and that your checkout process is smooth and easy to use.

"Double check your website can handle the increased traffic without crashing," says Zack. "You should also make sure your checkout process is smooth and easy to use, as people will be less likely to buy from you if they have a difficult time checking out."

Consider offering discounts or free shipping for people who shop on your website during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This can help entice people to shop with you instead of your competitors.

By ensuring your website is ready for the influx of traffic, you can avoid any problems that could damage your business.

Following these expert tips can help you prepare for Black Friday and Cyber Monday to make the most of the holiday rush. Planning and preparing can set your business up for success this holiday season.

To help you more about digital marketing, I need you to check this ebook I've created about the 10 things that I'VE WISHED I had known when I started marketing. If you are or are not in the same place, you must read this. Get the ebook here. 
If you want more up close and personal marketing strategies, advice, or an overhaul of your marketing structure, email us at zack@roimf.com or schedule a call with Zack now.