The 2023 edition of Black Friday – Cyber Monday is just around the corner! What concrete steps can you already take to capitalise on this crucial period?
For e-commerce businesses, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the most significant dates of the year. These massive sale days attract millions of customers in search of great deals. It’s the perfect opportunity to boost your revenue and build customer loyalty, provided you are well-prepared. Still, the surge in orders poses a real logistical challenge. So, here are 10 tips to help you optimise your shipments and boost your sales during these hectic shopping days.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2023 dates
This year, Black Friday falls on Friday, November 24, 2023, while Cyber Monday takes place the following Monday, November 27, 2023. However, the discount period is extended by a few more days, allowing many opportunities to maximise your sales.
10 tips for your Cyber Monday & Black Friday campaign
The volume of shipments continues to increase as these two dates approach. A 75% increase in shipments is expected, according to Sendcloud estimates.
Here we leave you with 10 last-minute tips for your Cyber Monday & Black Friday strategy:
1. Anticipate demand
Every year, it’s the same story: demand skyrockets during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. That means it is perfectly possible to anticipate it. Analyse your data from previous years to estimate the number of orders you’ll need to process during this critical period. Ensure that your stock levels are sufficient to absorb this increase in demand and fulfil your sales.
2. Automate as much as possible
During peak periods, the risk of errors increases, which can cost you money and customers. By automating your logistical processes, you can reduce this risk and save valuable time. Sendcloud, for example, allows you to automate the creation of shipping labels, generate pre-filled customs documents with your customers’ information, and optimise package packing and preparation to expedite order processing and effectively manage sales.
3. Opt for transparency
Clearly display shipping fees, delivery times, and your return policy. Even if your shipping and return conditions are not superior to those of your competitors, transparency is crucial. When a consumer trusts you, they are more likely to place an order. Conversely, uncertainty hinders sales. The results of a Sendcloud study show that 67% of buyers wouldn’t even consider placing an order without information about returns.
4. Simplify returns
As an e-commerce business, it’s normal to want to minimise returns, but that’s not a reason to make the process cumbersome for your customers. On the contrary, if you want a dissatisfied customer to reorder from you, it’s in your best interest to make returns easy. While you may lose money in the short term, you are more likely to build long-term customer loyalty. With the Sendcloud return portal, your customers can generate ready-to-use return labels, making life easier for them (and easing the burden on your customer service).
To go even further and turn your returns into a real growth lever, download this returns whitepaper.
5. Use multiple carriers
With the surge in the number of packages during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, some carriers may be overwhelmed. Instead of relying on a single carrier, distribute your shipping volume among several carriers to limit the risk of saturation and delivery delays. With Sendcloud, you can easily access over 100 national and international carriers. Take advantage of pre-negotiated rates or import your own contracts onto the platform.
6. Offer flexible shipping options
Providing multiple shipping options is one of the best ways to satisfy your customers and increase conversions at the checkout. After all, 44% of cart abandonments are due to the shipping and delivery options offered.
So, let buyers choose where, when, and how they want to receive their packages. Although standard home delivery is the preferred delivery method for consumers, service points can be the key to managing peak sales seasons. In this case, the client can pick it up when it best suits them.
7. Let’s talk money
To avoid cart abandonments and maximise conversions, it’s essential that delivery is not too costly. According to a Sendcloud study, 62% of consumers who abandon their orders do so because of excessively high shipping fees.
On average, buyers are willing to spend a maximum of €7.60 for shipping on a €150 order. Yet, 35% of them still expect free delivery.
Due to the influx of packages, some carriers may also apply surcharges during the Black Friday period. It’s essential to anticipate these additional costs and, once again, be transparent with your customers.
8. Protect your shipments
During the busy Black Friday and Cyber Monday period, the risk of stolen, lost, or damaged packages significantly increases. Without protection, replacement costs are on you (and they can be very costly). For peace of mind, it’s highly recommended to protect your packages during this busy period. Beyond the financial aspect, protection also speeds up dispute resolution, something your customers will surely appreciate. So, it’s also a matter of image and reputation.
9. Extend the exchange and return period
Savvy consumers will start their Christmas shopping as early as Black Friday. The only downside to starting this early is that the legal 14-day return period will already be over before Christmas. By allowing your customers to exchange and/or return their orders until the end of December, you give them a good reason to buy from your online store.
10. Provide personalised tracking
Customers want to easily track their packages and expect to be informed proactively. Many online stores do this, but few seize this opportunity to promote cross-selling, boost conversions, and gain followers on social media. With Sendcloud, you can add promotional codes or offer product recommendations on your personalised tracking page. By providing a smooth and transparent post-purchase experience, you facilitate deliveries and build customer loyalty.
Stay in control of your Black Friday – Cyber Monday shipping with Sendcloud
As you can see, the key to a successful Black Friday/Cyber Monday is thorough preparation. By following these 10 Black Friday tips, you can optimise your shipments, boost your sales, and build customer loyalty.
Do you want to learn more about how Sendcloud can help you optimise your logistical processes, reduce costs, and improve the customer experience? Schedule a demo today.
