Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) are the biggest shopping days of the year for e-commerce businesses. For Shopify store owners, this season can mean record sales, new customers, and lasting growth if you are prepared.
So the big question is: Is your Shopify store truly ready for BFCM?
If you have ever felt the rush of excitement and panic when orders start flooding in, you know how important it is to plan ahead. This article will walk you through everything you need to check before BFCM, from website speed to marketing campaigns, so your store is ready to convert visitors into happy buyers. And if you want to skip the stress and get expert help, we’ll also show you how Mama Bear Stuff Studio’s Shopify Store Tune-Up can get you ready in just a few days.
Why Preparation Is Everything for your Shopify store
In 2024, Shopify merchants made more than $11.5 billion in global sales during BFCM weekend. That number continues to grow each year, but not every store benefits equally.
Many small businesses lose potential revenue because of simple but costly issues: a slow website, broken discount codes, confusing navigation, or last-minute product updates.
Being prepared helps you avoid those mistakes. When your store runs smoothly, shoppers can focus on what you offer instead of dealing with technical problems or delays.
Step 1: Review Last Year’s Performance
Before making big changes, take a close look at your past results.
Ask yourself:
- Which products sold best?
- Which promotions brought the highest conversions?
- What caused customers to abandon their carts?
Learning from last year’s numbers gives you a clear direction. Keep what worked, adjust what didn’t, and build new strategies based on real data.
If this is your first time participating in BFCM, focus on your strongest products and create simple bundles or deals that highlight their value.
Step 2: Test and Improve Your Store Speed
Online shoppers are impatient. Every extra second of loading time can reduce conversions by up to 20 percent.
Check your site speed using Shopify’s built-in speed report or tools like GTmetrix. If pages take too long to load, compress images, remove unused apps, and simplify your homepage.
Your store should feel fast and effortless, especially on mobile. Nearly 70 percent of BFCM sales come from phones and tablets.
Step 3: Make Checkout Friction-Free
A complicated checkout is the fastest way to lose a sale.
Go through the entire checkout process as if you were a customer.
- Can shoppers pay easily with Shop Pay, Apple Pay, or Google Pay?
- Can they check out as guests instead of creating an account?
- Are shipping rates and discount codes clear?
Fix any confusion before traffic spikes. The easier you make it to complete a purchase, the higher your conversion rate will be.
Step 4: Plan Smart Offers
Discounts drive traffic, but poorly planned offers can eat your profit. Instead of across-the-board price cuts, create deals that feel special and strategic.
Try these ideas:
- Bundle products that complement each other.
- Offer free shipping above a set amount.
- Give loyal customers early access or bonus gifts.
Aim to increase your average order value rather than just lowering prices.
Step 5: Optimize for Mobile Shoppers
If your store looks great on desktop but awkward on mobile, you will lose a huge portion of your audience.
Check how your homepage, banners, and buttons appear on different devices. Keep the design clean and simple. Make sure “Add to Cart” and “Buy Now” buttons are visible without scrolling.
Your mobile experience should feel fast, intuitive, and fun to use.
Step 6: Build Your Marketing Funnel
Success during BFCM starts long before the sale begins. Build anticipation with a planned campaign that guides shoppers toward your offers.
- Two weeks before: send teaser emails and social posts hinting at upcoming deals.
- One week before: share early access links for subscribers or loyal customers.
- During BFCM: schedule reminders and countdowns to create urgency.
- After the sale: send thank-you emails and offer exclusive follow-ups.
Automation tools like Flodesk or Klaviyo can help you schedule everything so you stay consistent without rushing.
Step 7: Check Your Inventory and Fulfillment
High demand can expose weaknesses in your fulfillment process. Make sure you have enough stock, packaging, and supplies ready before BFCM starts.
Confirm your shipping carriers’ timelines and have backup plans for possible delays. Communicate clearly about shipping cut-off dates and return policies to manage expectations.
A smooth delivery experience builds customer trust and encourages repeat orders.
Step 8: Backup Your Store
Before making any design or theme changes, create a full backup of your Shopify store.
Export your product data, save your theme files, and use backup apps if necessary. If something breaks during your sale, you will be able to restore everything quickly.
Step 9: Test Everything
Pretend you are a shopper visiting your store for the first time. Add items to your cart, use discount codes, and complete checkout. Test your site on different browsers and devices.
Ask a friend or team member to do the same. Fresh eyes can spot small issues you might overlook.
Fixing bugs now will prevent cart abandonment later.
Step 10: Plan for After BFCM
The work doesn’t stop when the sale ends. Use post-purchase follow-ups to turn one-time buyers into loyal customers.
Send thank-you emails, encourage reviews, and offer personalized discounts for future purchases.
Use your BFCM results to prepare for upcoming holidays or future launches.
Quick BFCM Readiness Checklist
- Homepage banner and product highlights updated
- Mobile layout tested and optimized
- Checkout process verified with multiple payment methods
- Discount codes and bundles tested
- Inventory and shipping plans confirmed
- Email and SMS campaigns scheduled
- Site speed optimized
- Backup completed
- Analytics dashboard ready
- Post-sale follow-up sequence prepared
Common BFCM Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Here are pitfalls we see too often and how you (or your clients) can avoid them.
- Mistake: Diving into big discounts without checking margin impact.
Fix: Run the numbers. Know what you can afford to discount and still profit. Use tiered or bundle offers rather than blanket deep discounts. - Mistake: Ignoring mobile optimisation.
Fix: Test the store on multiple devices, check your checkout, remove clutter, make sure buttons are easy to tap and payment methods are compatible. - Mistake: Over-relying on one channel (like just emails).
Fix: Build a multi-channel strategy — email + SMS + social + retargeting. The more touch-points you have the better you perform. - Mistake: Failing to test the discount logic and checkout process.
Fix: Run dummy orders, apply all codes, test shipping rates, test returns workflow before the sale hits. - Mistake: Neglecting fulfillment/logistics.
Fix: Check your packaging stock, shipping carrier capacity, returns policy, and make sure you can handle volume. Customers hate delays or missing stock. - Mistake: Treating BFCM as a one-off event rather than part of long-term customer strategy.
Fix: Use BFCM to acquire new customers and nurture them into repeat buyers. Post-sale follow-up is just as important.
Want an Expert to Handle It for You?
If this checklist feels overwhelming, you are not alone. Many business owners run out of time before BFCM and end up rushing through critical fixes.
That is exactly why I created the Shopify Store Tune-Up at Mama Bear Stuff Studio.
This service is designed for Shopify entrepreneurs who want a professional audit and optimization before the biggest shopping weekend of the year.
What You Get
- Full technical audit (speed, SEO, and UX)
- Homepage and banner optimization
- Product and collection updates
- Discount and promotion setup
- Conversion-focused adjustments
- Optional 24-hour delivery for urgent projects
Your store will be ready to impress customers and handle the surge with confidence.
Why It Matters
BFCM is more than just a sale weekend. It is your opportunity to reach new audiences, boost lifetime value, and end the year strong.
A store that loads fast, looks polished, and converts smoothly can turn casual browsers into loyal fans. The Shopify Store Tune-Up gives you the assurance that your systems are working perfectly when it counts the most.
Think of it as your pre-holiday reset, one that saves you stress and sets your business up for success.
As we move into the holiday season, the difference between a Shopify store that “survives” BFCM and one that thrives comes down to preparation. If you invest the time now in planning, optimization, testing, and campaign strategy you’ll set yourself up not just for a strong weekend but for increased customer lifetime value afterward.
If your store feels a little behind, don’t panic. Whether you run a small boutique or a large online brand, getting your Shopify store ready ahead of time can make a huge impact.
Start by reviewing your data, fixing technical issues, and planning your marketing timeline. If you would rather focus on selling instead of troubleshooting, book a Shopify Store Tune-Up today.
Let’s make this your smoothest and most profitable BFCM yet.
Ready to see how your store performs under the hood?
Claim your free Shopify website audit today and get a personalized report with actionable insights to help your site load faster, rank higher, and convert better. Fill out the form below to get started.
