25 Oct
This year, Black Friday falls on Friday, November 26. The day after the United States celebrates Thanksgiving is known as the busiest shopping day of the year all over North America. Year after year, Black Friday is known for its incomparable discounts. As a result, the day is also known for the flooding of stores by scores of customers all clamouring to find the best deals.
Is your store ready for this year’s Black Friday? Let’s discuss some smart ways to prepare for the big day.
Stock up on inventory.
Be prepared. Planning inventory the right way will ensure you have enough products available resulting in happy customers and better sales for your business. One of the worst possible things that can happen to your store on Black Friday is that it runs out of stock long before the demand wears thin. People who visit your store will be seeking discounts on their favourite items. Consider which items sold well in past years and any trends in your store this season to plan accordingly.
“Whether you have a brick and mortar store or you are strictly an e-commerce business, it’s important to take stock of your inventory before Black Friday and the holiday season hit,” warns Enkel Backoffice Solutions Inc. co-founder and CEO, Omar Visram, “You won’t want misinformation stalling online sales, and you’ll want to ensure you have enough of your most popular items to capitalize on the season.”
Ensure all of your stores are prepared for the heavy traffic.
By “all” of your stores, we not only mean brick-and-mortar locations but your online shop as well. It’s vital that your customers’ in-store experiences are not hampered by your inability to present vibrant and easy-to-find product displays. In addition, it’s important to ensure your store is adequately staffed. Your online store needs to be ready for the additional traffic as well.
As Andrew Roach explains on Oberlo.com, “there’s a lot that goes into making a great online store. You have your product pages, product photos, website design, website navigation, checkout process…the list goes on.”
Step up your social media marketing.
Your social media accounts shouldn’t go a single day without being active. For many people, social media pages that lie dormant are reflective of entities that don’t have much going on. Is your business even open during Black Friday? Consumers should have no doubts in their minds that your shop isn’t just open, but ready to welcome them with incredible discounts on popular items. Keep your Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts busy in the weeks to come!
“Consider offering an additional incentive to your social media and e-mail customers to further encourage people to follow you,” suggests Visram, “Think of creative ways to make a buzz within your community and encourage local media outlets to report on your business. Many blogs or newspapers will share ‘shop local’ lists or profile small businesses, so jump on these opportunities early.”
Promote your online ordering platform.
Your online marketing efforts should regularly include links to your online store. It’s also important to highlight that your Black Friday deals can be taken advantage of on your website. Do you currently allow your website’s visitors to make direct purchases? With help from Taliup Express, you can get all set up with your own eCommerce website! Contact us today to learn all about our commission-free platform!
