8 Ways To Prepare For Black Friday Weekend

Our Recommendations to Prepare for Black Friday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have swiftly become pivotal events for both eCommerce businesses and consumers. In fact, recent statistics reveal that UK consumers spent £1.04 billion, and US consumers spent a staggering $16.4 billion on Black Friday online alone in 2023.

At JSWeb, we understand the added pressure of orchestrating a successful sales campaign while managing day-to-day business operations. To alleviate some of that stress, we’ve curated a list of eight essential strategies to help you prepare your eCommerce website for this years Black Friday and Cyber Monday frenzy.

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1. Test Your Store’s Capacity to Handle Traffic Surges

 

Ensuring your website can withstand the influx of visitors during Black Friday and Cyber Monday is paramount. Utilise tools like k6.io to assess your store’s server load capacity and consider upgrading your hosting plan to accommodate the anticipated surge in traffic. Online businesses with a cloud server should consider upgrading their server with additional resources for Black Friday and the festive season in the same way that a high street store would boost the number of employees during the busy period.

 

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2. Create Impactful Sale Banners

 

 

First impressions matter, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Capture your customers’ attention from the moment they land on your site with visually stunning sale banners that convey the excitement of your Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Collaborate with our team of experienced design experts at JSWeb to craft captivating banners that not only grab attention but also effectively communicate your irresistible offers across all devices seamlessly.

With mobile responsiveness in mind, our team will design banners that look stunning on every device, from desktop computers to smartphones and tablets. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to make a lasting impression—partner with JSWeb to create sale banners that elevate your Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions to new heights.

 

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3. Generate Excitement and Anticipation

 

Fuel anticipation for your Black Friday and Cyber Monday sale by strategically teasing exclusive deals across email, social media, and web banners. Craft enticing emails with sneak peeks of your offers, share teaser posts on social platforms, and feature attention-grabbing banners on your website. Extend your reach with paid ads on Facebook and Google, targeting specific audiences and driving engagement. By building anticipation through multiple channels, you’ll create buzz and excitement, setting the stage for a successful sale event.

 

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4. Combat Cart Abandonment

 

 

Black Friday and Cyber Monday witness staggering cart abandonment rates, reaching 76.63% and 80.25%, respectively, in 2023. To mitigate this challenge, eCommerce businesses must employ proactive cart recovery strategies. Our Automatic Recover Cart Sales (ARCS) Plugin for Zen Cart empowers you to automatically email customers who abandon their carts, offering personalised incentives to complete their purchases. Don’t let abandoned carts derail your sales—leverage ARCS to re-engage customers and recapture potentially lost revenue.

 

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5. Prioritise Mobile Optimisation

During the Black Friday Cyber Monday weekend, where over 26% of orders come from mobile devices, optimising your site for mobile devices is paramount. Use tools like ready.mobi to conduct thorough mobile usability tests, examining factors like page loading speed and navigation ease. Responsive design updates can enhance the mobile shopping experience by ensuring seamless navigation and efficient checkout processes on smaller screens. By prioritising mobile optimisation, you’ll not only cater to the needs of your mobile-savvy customers but also drive higher engagement and conversions during this crucial sales period.

 

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6. Execute an Email Marketing Campaign

 

 

Email marketing remains a powerful tool for driving traffic and sales, especially during the holiday season. Crafting strategic campaigns with compelling subject lines and irresistible offers can entice customers back to your website, increasing engagement and conversions.

Example 1: Announce Black Friday Cyber Monday Sale

Example 2: Last Reminder Before Sale Ends

Example 3: Exclusive Sale for Email Subscribers

Example 4: Tease/Anticipation Email

By leveraging these email marketing strategies and examples, you can create compelling campaigns that drive traffic and sales to your eCommerce website during the holiday season. Don’t underestimate the power of email to engage customers and boost your bottom line—start planning your campaigns today!

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7. Optimise Page Loading Speed

 

 

In today’s fast-paced online environment, page loading speed plays a pivotal role in retaining potential customers. Utilise tools like GTmetrix to comprehensively evaluate your site’s speed performance, analysing factors such as page load times and optimisation opportunities. Collaborate with our experienced team at JSWeb to implement performance grade improvements aimed at reducing loading times, ultimately delivering an enhanced user experience that keeps visitors engaged and drives higher conversions.

 

 

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8. Enhance Website Security

 

As cyber threats loom large, ensuring your website’s security is non-negotiable. Implementing  full HTTPS encryption is a foundational step in safeguarding customer data and instilling trust. With search engines and web browsers prioritising secure sites, upgrading to HTTPS is essential for maintaining credibility and protecting your users’ sensitive information. Contact our dedicated team at JSWeb to seamlessly transition to HTTPS and protect your website against potential vulnerabilities, providing peace of mind for both you and your customers.

Gear Up for Black Friday Success

Prepare your eCommerce website for Black Friday and Cyber Monday success with these eight actionable strategies from JSWeb. Don’t let the holiday rush catch you off guard—start implementing these tips today to maximise your sales and delight your customers during the busiest shopping season of the year.