Remote work has rapidly evolved from a niche setup to a common standard across many industries, thanks to its numerous benefits to both employees and businesses. Comprehensive global research on the impact of remote work has concluded that implementing it saves companies $11,000 per employee per year.
However, remote work also takes away the direct supervision over your employees. The desire to accurately measure remote employees’ productivity can lead many managers into detrimental and counterproductive micromanagement.
Do you know how to measure success without frustrating your employees?
In this article, we’ll dive into strategies and metrics to effectively manage productivity from a distance. We’ll also examine tools like remote work software that help create a collaborative and efficient virtual workspace.
Challenges in Measuring Remote Productivity
When trying to gauge the productivity of your remote workers, you can face severe challenges. Letting them fly under the radar can cause a drop in your company’s productivity and competitiveness in the long run:
Limited Visibility: Unlike in a traditional office, remote work makes it challenging to see how employees allocate their time. Without direct oversight, it’s harder to assess whether a project needs additional support, which can lead to inaccurate evaluations of both output and effort.
Communication: Remote workers often face challenges such as misunderstandings, response delays, and difficulties interpreting tone and intent in digital messages. These issues can lead to misaligned priorities, significantly reducing efficiency.
Lack of Standardized Productivity Metrics: Traditional metrics, such as hours worked or tasks completed, may not accurately reflect productivity, especially when output quality is more important than quantity. Without a universal metric, it’s challenging for managers to assess individual and team performance accurately.
Ways to Measure Productivity in Remote Teams
Without the right data, it can be hard to understand why your remote team is struggling through some processes. If left unchecked, these seemingly small roadblocks can soon lead to severe delays and, finally, financial loss.
To make sure your remote team stays focused, motivated, and productive, try the following strategies:
Define and Align KPIs and OKRs
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) give managers a well-rounded view of productivity and success across diverse roles and responsibilities. Identifying relevant KPIs for each role provides a more standardized and fair approach to measuring productivity.
For instance, a sales team’s KPIs might focus on lead conversion rates. A content team, on the other hand, could track the number of articles produced and engagement rates.
Objectives & Key Results (OKRs) help set ambitious goals for the business, which are then broken down into specific, actionable targets for teams and individuals.
Together, OKRs fuel growth and innovation, while Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) provide the stability and efficiency needed to achieve sustained success.
EstablishMilestones
Few things are as satisfying as checking off a milestone. Milestones provide a clear view of how close a project is to completion, making progress feel tangible and manageable. They break down large, daunting projects into smaller, achievable steps and help spot potential roadblocks early, preventing them from becoming bigger issues.
Set Goals and Deadlines
Setting deadlines for everyday tasks helps everyone understand priorities and expectations. This approach not only assists employees in prioritizing their work but also gives managers valuable insights into team performance and areas needing extra support. Clear deadlines enable teams to focus on meaningful goals, stay on track, and quickly identify any potential roadblocks.
Improve Communication
Clear, open communication is essential in remote work to keep everyone aligned and build trust. Regular check-ins, daily stand-ups, and weekly goal-setting meetings foster accountability, while asynchronous communication allows flexibility.
Dedicated channels help reduce distractions and ensure relevant information is easily accessible. Slack, for example, allows sharing updates, creating project threads, and maintaining feedback loops.
Building a culture of sharing and encouragement, such as celebrating milestones or recognizing achievements, keeps morale high.
Implement Employee Monitoring Software
Employee monitoring software is a powerful tool that benefits both managers and employees alike, especially in a remote work environment. It can boost productivity and improve job satisfaction by helping you:
Monitor activity: Real-time data provides valuable insights into your team’s daily habits. This makes it easier to balance workloads, spot employees who need extra support, and help them reach their full potential.
Track time: Understanding exactly how long each task takes allows you to manage projects more effectively and stay on schedule.
Enhance communication: By promoting transparency and accountability, monitoring software helps reduce miscommunication, keeping everyone aligned and connected across the team.
Support Employee Well-Being: Monitoring software gives managers a clear view of team and individual workloads, helping them immediately spot signs of burnout. This makes it easier to adjust tasks and create a healthier, more motivated team.
Conclusion
According to a recent study conducted by Upwork, it is estimated that by 2025, 32.6 million Americans will be working remotely.
To keep your remote team productive and thriving despite the challenges of this fast-evolving work landscape, don’t hesitate to embrace new ways and tools of tracking and managing productivity.
Blogging has become a good career option in recent times. At first, it was considered a good hobby or a skill to add to your resume but now, people are gravitating towards it and are interested in making it their career choice. One of the most common ways of sharing and transmitting knowledge and news has rapidly become blogging. Millions of blogs are practically online. It’s a great way to express yourself and a great way to share information, thoughts, and feelings with others as well. The best part is anyone can be a blogger who has a flair for writing.
Blogging started getting popular in 1999 and since then it has not looked back. More and more people now are opting for blogging, which is not only allowing bloggers to share their views on some topics but is also helping businesses to talk about their products and services, and share a significant amount of information about the industry that they are tied to, it’s changing recent trends and much more. These blogs that we see, need hosting platforms where the bloggers store their files, data, and website code.
As a novice, you would want a forum for blogging that is easy to set up, has a low learning curve, and needs no coding skills. You’ll also need to think about what kind of blog, you want to create at the present and in the future. You may want to update the look of your site as your blog expands and add more features for your growing audience. That implies that it is important to choose a flexible blogging platform, with room to grow.
In this article, we will talk about what to look for in a hosting platform and some popular platforms where you can host your blogs. However, before we start with the same, let’s once quickly recap why we need these hosting websites and choose them carefully!
What is a Web Hosting Platform and Why Do You Need it?
Just like a blog or a blogging channel is important for audiences who are always eager to consume content and roll their eyes over what’s new online, web hosting platforms play a central role for the bloggers to help their blogs stay alive and easy to access for the audiences. These hosting platforms for the websites and blog sites help the users store everything essential for the blog including the essential files related to the website and other data.
In simple words, it is the web host or the hosting platform of your blog site that makes it connected with the internet and the audiences. Along with playing a significant part in the creation and accessibility of your blog, web hosting for bloggers also is central to SEO. Yes, it is the web hosting site that is peculiarly responsible for the speed of the website, its security, and more. Hence, going for a foolproof web hosting platform is the key to successful blogging.
What Should You Look For in a Hosting Platform?
Many variables go into this, and you can get confused about things as you try to find the best web host for your site. What you should know is that at the lower level, most web hosting services would all be pretty identical with the same features. But, here’s what you want to look for in a good hosting company:
Security
Website security is critical, you don’t want to get hacked, and you definitely want the customer data to be safe. So, remember to check what kind of security features are available with the platform before going ahead with it.
SSL Certificates
Google is all about ensuring that sites are safe today, particularly if personal data or credit card information is collected. SSL certificates help encrypt data, so when you see “https” in the URL, you can tell if it’s there. It is best to set this up from the start.
Backups
Backing your site up on a regular basis is really necessary, so make sure you are provided with convincing backup options by your hosting company.
Customer service
You’re going to run into problems when you start building a site, so you must choose a hosting service that has very good customer support to help you get out of trouble if you encounter any.
Email
You would want to use the same domain as your URL with a professional email address. So, make sure you can also allow your hosting company to add email as well.
Reliability
You don’t want to be down on your web, ever. That means it’s crucial to work with a reliable hosting company that keeps downtime to a minimum.
Affordability
Along with all the factors mentioned above, it’s true that you also need to be aware of the pocket pinch of web hosting services as well, and ensure that the cost of the hosting is bearable in the long run. Web hosting is not a short-term plan, and you should be careful to choose a hosting provider that is affordable.
Flexible subscription plans
Subscription plans are different for different web hosting platforms. Here, flexibility is needed. You will get monthly hosting plans, plans that work quarterly, yearly options, and half-yearly options, even more. Choose your subscription plans wisely, and never go for a costly or inconvenient subscription plan.
Stick to the website requirements
Know your website requirements very well right at the first. Here, you need to know whether you will be starting with a static or a dynamic website. Also, the type of blog site you want to create. For example, if you are up for a writer’s blog, then it shall not be that heavy a site, whereas if you decide to host a travel/cooking blog with regular vlog updates in it, then you should better go for a more powerful hosting platform with convincing services.
Scalability options
The options for scalability are also a must. Suppose you are starting with a blog site yourself, just as a personal blog. Now, you can either keep it that way or eventually, as your audiences grow, expand it, thereby making it workable on behalf of an organization. Such a thing requires your blog site to be scalable enough, which depends largely on the hosting site you choose!
Ease of use
No matter what, hosting and upgrading the same, should be easy to do. The ease of use of hosting sites matters much for bloggers. An easy-to-use hosting site helps bloggers carry on with their work with a growing passion, without letting them fret about hosting issues.
There are several blog hosting platform that enables bloggers to get started with their blogging career. Some of the most popular and top ones are:
WordPress
Hosting Platform
WordPress
Rating
4.4 out of 5
Free Trial
Free platform
Top 10 Blog Hosting Platforms – WordPress
WordPress.org is the most popular software for blogging in the world. WordPress, founded in 2003, now commands nearly 60% of the CMS market and controls more than 30% of all internet. WordPress.org is a free, open-source blogging platform that allows you to develop your blog or website in minutes. It is a self-hosted solution, meaning you would need to sign up with a hosting company for WordPress. When you want to have complete influence over the future of your blog, WordPress is a great choice.
Pros of WordPress
You can have control over every feature of the website
There are free themes available, that you can use to create your website and make it unique
Creating SEO-friendly URLs is very easy on WordPress
WordPress provides over 59000 plugins so that different aspects like contact forms, galleries, and others can be added to your website
The drag-and-drop editor is a plus point in WordPress as it helps in easy content creation
Cons of WordPress
Backups and Security have to be managed by yourself
The website can go down anytime, without any prior notice
The slow speed of the page can be a factor in not choosing this hosting platform
Constant Contact
Hosting Platform
Constant Contact
Rating
4 out of 5
Free Trial
14 days
Top 10 Blog Hosting Platforms – Constant Contact
The Constant Contact website is an intelligent AI-powered website builder that allows you to create a free blog, company website, and even an online store within minutes. You can begin with their huge set of templates and use an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface to customize your website design. Other helpful tools such as a personalized logo builder, a professional stock photo archive of over 550,000 images, an online shop, and much more are also available for you.
Pros of Constant Contact
The website is easy to build with tools compared to other hosting platforms
Provides good backup and security
Old Templates can be kept securely and can be used in the future
Cons of Constant Contact
The templates are not that stylish and look a little bit outdated
There are no unique features that can make the blog website look more interesting
This blogging platform was created by HostGator, which is one of the most popular and top web hosting companies. Gator provides a drag-and-drop tool that can be used in building any kind of website which includes online stores apart from blogs, and business sites. Gator is said to be the perfect option for those who are interested in an all-in-one platform for blogs.
Pros of Gator
The drag and drop feature helps your website creation easier
Backup and Security are managed by the HostGator itself
SSL certificates and domains are free on every plan
Cons of Gator
There is a limited number of Plugins that can be used on a website
Medium was launched in 2012 and since then it has become a big community for writers, bloggers, and journalists. Medium is an online publishing platform and anyone can use it according to their choice. It is very easy to use, after creating an account you can start publishing your blogs. Medium has somewhere between 85 to 100 million users per month, quite a big number and is one of the best web hosting platform for blogs.
Pros of Medium
It is easy to use as no coding knowledge is required
Designing the website is not an issue and one can just focus on their blogs only
The audience can be reached very easily as it targets people with similar interests
Cons of Medium
It is not easy to earn money through Medium as you cannot run ads on your own
There are no good features that can help you build your brand
You don’t get to have the option of using your domain name
Squarespace
Hosting Platform
Squarespace
Rating
4.4 out of 5
Free Trial
14-days
Top 10 Blog Hosting Platforms – Squarespace
Squarespace was started in the year 2003 and this website-building service enables you to create beautiful websites. The best part is Squarespace provides drag-and-drop tools which are easier for people during the time of the creation of the websites. For those who want to create a strong online presence through their blogs, Squarespace is perfect for them.
Pros of Squarespace
Anyone can use Squarespace as it is very easy to use, there is no need for any technical knowledge
Squarespace provides a unique and good number of templates that can be used for the creation of the website
SSL Certificates are provided along with domain names
Cons of Squarespace
There are not many unique features that can make websites more unique and creative
Wix is a host platform for building websites. It offers a solution for small businesses to build a website using drag-and-drop tools. You can also add a blog to your website by adding the Wix Blog app. Wix.com was founded in 2006 as a platform where anyone could create their own stunning website with no coding skills required. It has currently over 200 million users across the globe.
Pros of Wix
There are a number of creative templates that you can use to make your website look good
No technical or coding skills are required while creating the site
Wix provides proper security for your sites
Cons of Wix
After you select a template, you cannot change it to another one
Tumblr, founded by David Karp in 2007, is a microblogging and social networking platform where users can share a mix of content—text, photos, videos, and links—and connect through reblogging and commenting. Tumblr is especially popular among younger audiences because of its strong creative and fandom communities. Key features include a Dashboard for following posts, multiple post types like text and photos, and tagging to boost discoverability. Yahoo acquired Tumblr in 2013. Tumblr launched Post+ for monetization but discontinued it in 2024.
Pros
Covers a range of interests, from fandoms to art, with tagging for easy discoverability.
Users discuss social issues and current events, fostering strong community ties.
Simple to set up and customize, unlike more complex platforms.
One account can manage several blogs for varied content.
Ideal for showcasing multimedia content, perfect for artists.
Cons
Reblogging can amplify unverified information.
Users report app glitches and intrusive ads.
Limited customization and content theft concerns, especially for artists.
Hostinger
Hosting Platform
Hostinger
Rating
4.4 out of 5
Free Trial
Not available
Top 10 Blog Hosting Platforms – Hostinger
Established in 2004, Hostinger is a broadly utilized web-facilitating supplier offering reasonable plans beginning at INR 159 every month. It gives shared, VPS, and cloud facilitating choices, with a 99.9% uptime assurance and quick normal reaction seasons of 511 ms. Hostinger’s custom control board, hPanel, improves in the vicinity of the executives, and most plans incorporate free additional items like a space, SSL, and email. Its worldwide server farms, remembering one for India, guarantee ideal execution because of the client area and its platform is one of the best web hosting for bloggers.
Pros
Hostinger’s common facilitating begins at $2.99/month, ideal for private ventures.
Quick burden times (470-935 ms) and a 99.9% uptime ensure.
Easy to understand hPanel with broad elements.
Cons
Initial rates increase significantly after the first term.
This may not suit high-traffic, large websites.
Hubspot CMS
Hosting Platform
Hubspot CMS
Rating
4.4 out of 5
Free Trial
Free plan available
Top 10 Blog Hosting Platforms – Hubspot CMS
HubSpot CMS is a comprehensive and intuitive website creator that is embedded with the functionalities of HubSpot’s CRM and marketing features. It offers intelligent content serving for more tailored experiences, a drag-and-drop interface, SEO capabilities, and even a web application firewall and vulnerability scanning for security. Such CMS complements an inbound marketing strategy where prospect engagement is maximized and lead generation, as well as tracking functions, are improved.
Pros
Integrates website management and marketing tools in one platform.
User-friendly interface with drag-and-drop content creation.
Personalizes content and provides strong customer support.
Cons
HubSpot CMS is expensive for small businesses and has a steeper learning curve.
Limited design flexibility and reliance on HubSpot tools can increase costs.
Weebly
Hosting Platform
Weebly
Rating
4.2 out of 5
Free Trial
Free platform
Top 10 Blog Hosting Platforms – Weebly
Weebly is an easy-to-use website builder that enables users to create professional sites without technical skills. It offers a drag-and-drop editor, responsive themes, and powerful eCommerce features for online stores. Users can customize headers, backgrounds, and SEO settings, while the App Center provides third-party integrations for marketing and analytics. Weebly also supports blogging, video backgrounds, and custom code options, making it a versatile platform for businesses and individuals looking to build and manage their websites.
Pros
Drag-and-drop editor makes website creation easy for beginners.
Mobile-responsive templates adjust automatically to various screen sizes.
Integrated eCommerce tools and basic SEO features for optimization.
Cons
Fewer template options compared to competitors, restricting design choices.
Blogging features are less advanced than those of platforms like WordPress.
Your natural instinct would be to go for the option of value, something that is inexpensive, but has some nice features and provides plenty of customer support. Blogging as a career option is turning out to be a popular choice. So, selecting the proper hosting platform for blogs is a necessity. One has to choose a platform that will have all the variables that are needed in a blog hosting platform.
FAQs
What are the top web blog hosting platforms?
Some of the top blog hosting platforms are:
WordPress
Wix
Squarespace
Gator
Medium
What is Medium?
Medium is an online publishing platform. Anyone can use it for free and start writing their journey or start their journey of writing.
Is blogging a good career choice?
Blogging seems to be a great choice for your career for those who have a flair for writing. You can be your own boss and can have flexible schedules.
Is web hosting necessary for a blog?
Web hosting platforms play a central role for the bloggers to help their blogs stay alive and easy to access for the audiences. These hosting platforms for the websites and blog sites help the users store everything essential for the blog including the essential files related to the website and other data.
What is blog hosting?
Blog hosting is a service that gives you the space and tools to make your blog available on the internet.
India is the second-largest country in the world. The average age in India is about 28 years. We are an immensely big young nation and we do what every other country does but more in volume. With a population of more than 144 crores, India is a hotspot in demand generation. This makes it a prominent place for old businesses and new businesses.
India is not only big in terms of people, but we also are a huge celebrating nation. Speaking of both regional and national events, India has the most festivals in the world. Needless to say with this young generation driving fast-paced technology, Indians are not normal citizens anymore.
We are turning more into global citizens. Global citizens are not just confined to their nation but are open to accepting global traditions. They break open the national boundaries of culture and tradition the fastest of all. We love shopping cultures. This explains why millennials are all excited about global festivals like ‘Halloween’, ‘Thanksgiving’, and ‘Black Friday’.
This article is about one particular festival. A global festival starter to be precise. The Black Friday. How it affects our new businesses and startups in providing them with a boost. A cultural boost read on to discover.
Black Friday is the Friday that precedes Thanksgiving in the United States. Retailers all around put sales on the occasion to kick-start the festive season. The next month is December and it means Christmas around the world. This is the sweet spot just after Thanksgiving and right before Christmas.
Black Friday has been the busiest day in the US and continues to be the show starter even now. This festival provides a good boost for retailers and businesses in the US. Since India is open to all cultures, we also flow with this wind.
India and Festivals Culture
As mentioned previously we all know that India is a land of festivals and homogenous culture. When globalization and technology hit, we opened our wings to the world. Make no mistake that culture travels faster than goods.
India has seen increasing celebrations of Western festivals and occasions continuously. From malls covered in themes of Halloween to the lights and blushes of Christmas. Our culture has globalized. So does the behavior of consumers.
Now we look forward to not only the Diwali sale but also the ‘Black Friday’ sale. Shopping in India is a culture and globalization has boosted it for sure. Now brands and new businesses look forward to launching in the festive season.
Black Friday is synonymous with huge discounts. It is also synonymous with shopping like absolute animals. Shoppers go mad and they raise a ruckus. The news reported that an employee had to climb on a table to avoid a crush of shoppers at a Chattanooga Victoria’s Secret Pink store.
People wrestle over discounted clothes and fight for plants and pots. This is what a good Black Friday deal can do to consumers.
As per the reports, Black Friday 2023 online revenue reached over $9.80 billion, a 7.46% increase from last year. It was 188% higher than the average daily online sales and 179% higher than Q4’s daily sales. However, Black Friday’s revenue was 21% lower than Cyber Monday. From 2022 to 2023, online retail spending grew by 7.69%.
Black Friday Online Sales from 2013 to 2023 with Projection for 2024-2025
Black Friday Business Intrusion
If you think that consumers are the only demographic that enjoys Black Friday, you’re probably wrong. Brands all over the world start preparing to fulfill the demand months before this day. They know how to make and generate demand for their goods. So they also wash their hands in celebrations, with campaigns.
Businesses try to capture people with campaigns. If you’re a startup, winning this day of the year can ramp up your whole game. This is a high tide and if you know how to surf, you are all set. Here we’ll discuss how brands manage to get a large economic pie.
How Black Friday Can Help You Get Initial Boost for Your Startup?
Campaigns Plan
As people celebrate, brands lend a hand with campaigns. They start decoding the market in September itself. So September and October are the planning months.
Brands and newbies need to be sure about their goals. There can be explicitly two goals – To acquire new customers or to increase current profits. It will be the compass for planning further. Figure out deals, deals that are mouth-watering. This is the month when credit cards get warm.
Channeling Traffic
You can’t really imagine your sales without creatives. It is imperative to spread the marketing butter all over social. Make your signs a little squarish for better communication. Spend October spreading the news, discounts, and whatever. Try paid marketing, diversifying your posters, and emailing. The point is to buy traffic earlier than others.
Buyer Momentum
If your goal is to maximize profits, then you need to notice and enhance the AOV. Average order value can be enhanced by grouping products. Grouping products with others will lead to more freedom to give discounts. As well as it will also increase your revenues.
Conversion Rate
While established brands go for more orders, new businesses or startups go with more conversion rates. Converting more people into consumers will take spending. So before a successful Friday sale, comes spending. Figure out a CAC, and customer acquisition cost and plan your deals and discounts accordingly.
Create Urgency with Limited-Time Offers
Urgency is a powerful sales tool. To build excitement and urgency, try offering new deals every hour on Black Friday. Updating deals throughout the day keeps customers interested and encourages quick purchases. Use announcements, app notifications, and clear ads to make sure people see these deals and feel the need to act fast.
Exceptional Customer Service
Deals and promotions are important, but great customer service can set your small business apart. In a physical store, focus on helping customers quickly, having friendly and knowledgeable staff, and creating a welcoming atmosphere. Happy customers are more likely to come back or tell others about your store, which helps your business grow.
For online sales, it’s a bit different. A good website design, smooth navigation, and excellent customer support can make a big impact and keep customers satisfied.
Black Friday is followed by Cyber Monday which means more space for spicy offers. Brands should keep in mind that Black Friday and Cyber Monday aren’t just for eCommerce but can be a big sales day if you apply the right Black Friday tactics, Black Friday promotion ideas, Black Friday promos, Cyber Monday ads, and Cyber Monday marketing techniques. That will be the recipe for your successful sales season. As always, it’s not too late to get started.
FAQs
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is the day stores began to turn a profit for the year as it is the biggest shopping day in the United States.
How to boost sales on Black Friday?
Build anticipation about your product, make exclusive offers, and reward your previous customers.
Do companies make money on Black Friday?
Yes, Black Friday is the most profitable week or month for the majority of retailers.
When is Black Friday sale in 2024?
The Black Friday sale starts on 29th November followed by Cyber Monday which is on 2nd December 2024.
The holiday season is almost here, and with it comes two of the biggest retail events of the year: Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These shopping extravaganzas present a huge opportunity for brands to drive product sales and boost their online presence. But you know the drill! Today, it is more about what we see around in social media, by people whom we look up to. As we look ahead to Black Friday 2023, it’s important to consider the role of influencers in your marketing strategy. Influencer marketing has proven to be a highly effective method for engaging with customers and driving meaningful impact throughout the entire sales funnel.
As per Shopify reports, 61% of people trust advice from influencers more than the 38% who trust posts directly from brands. By working with influencers who connect well with your audience, you can make your brand more visible, bring more people to your website, and increase your profits.
In this article, we will explore some best practices and strategies for leveraging influencers to maximize your success this holiday season.
To make the most of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s crucial to start planning your influencer campaign well in advance. By securing your influencer partners early on, you can ensure that they have enough time to plan and create high-converting content for your campaign. We recommend having a finalized list of holiday influencer partners by the end of October or the first week of November. Building relationships with influencers takes time, so it’s important to establish an organic connection before the holiday season. Consider activating smaller-scale collaborations a month or two before the main campaign to build familiarity and trust with the influencer’s audience.
Utilise third-party influencer discovery tools like Aspire, Tring, and others to find and connect with potential influencers. These tools allow you to search for influencers based on specific filters such as keywords, engagement rate, and aesthetics. Alternatively, you can publish your campaign on platforms like the Creator Marketplace to attract high-quality influencers who are interested in partnering with your brand.
Influencer Marketing Market Size Worldwide From 2016 to 2024
Incorporate Influencers Into Your Affiliate Program
Influencer-affiliate programs have become increasingly popular and successful in recent years. By adding influencers to your affiliate marketing program, you can tap into their trusted relationship with their audience and create a new revenue stream for your business. Consumers are turning to social media to discover new products, and influencers play a significant role in shaping their purchasing decisions. By providing influencers with affiliate links, you can make the buying journey even more seamless for their audiences.
Consider collaborating with influencers to create highly authentic and relatable content that showcases your products. From try-on hauls to “Get Ready With Me” makeup tutorials, influencers can create engaging and persuasive content that resonates with their followers. Give influencers the freedom to be creative and encourage them to highlight the products from your brand that they love and can’t live without.
Get Creative With Your Campaign Ideas
Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer the perfect opportunity to get creative with your marketing campaigns. Consider leveraging current trends to drive interest and engagement. Participating in popular sounds, dances, challenges, or other trends can increase the likelihood of your content going viral and reaching a wider audience. Encourage influencers to incorporate these trends into their content and showcase how they align with your brand.
Additionally, consider ways to give back and make a positive impact during the holiday season. Collaborate with influencers to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes that align with your brand values. By highlighting your commitment to these causes through your influencer campaign, you can engage your audience on a deeper level and demonstrate your brand’s social responsibility and this collaboration can be the best holiday influencer marketing collaboration.
Offering exclusive discounts or promotions through influencers can also create a sense of urgency and drive interest in your products. By making these discounts available only for a specific period, you can incentivize consumers to make a purchase and take advantage of the limited-time offer.
Give special deals like unique discount codes or product bundles just for the influencer’s followers to encourage them to buy. Let influencers share teasers or countdowns to build excitement before a sale, which can drive more people to your website. Also, provide personalized affiliate links so influencers can earn a commission, and you can easily track sales.
Maximise Impact Through Content Repurposing
Influencers can support your holiday marketing efforts by providing high-quality content that can be repurposed across various channels. Once you’ve sourced influencer-generated content, you can stretch its impact by repurposing it in different ways:
Paid Ads
Paid ads are a powerful tool for reaching a wider audience during the holiday season. Incorporate influencer-generated content into your paid ads to leverage the creators’ namesake and provide social proof. Consider putting paid spend behind organic posts to run Partnership Ads, which have been proven to achieve lower cost per purchase and higher conversion rates. Remember that people pay for the intent, and influencers just validate the same.
Email Marketing
Email marketing is an effective way to nurture leads and drive conversions. It is always a great idea to incorporate influencer content into your email campaigns to create a sense of urgency and FOMO (fear of missing out). As a business, you can use influencer-generated content in abandoned cart emails, weekly newsletters, and other email communications to engage your subscribers and drive them toward making a purchase.
Website
Your website is a valuable asset for showcasing your products and converting visitors into customers. Enhance your product pages by adding influencer-generated content, such as testimonials or reviews, to improve conversion rates. By featuring influencer posts on your site, you can provide social proof and build trust with potential buyers.
As Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach, it’s crucial to work with influencers to scale your seasonal content creation and hyper-target your audiences. By implementing these influencer marketing strategies on Black Friday, you can boost your product sales and make the most of this retail holiday. If you’re ready to kickstart your Black Friday campaign, consider partnering with Aspire to connect with high-quality influencers and set yourself up for success throughout the entire holiday season.
Track and Measure Success
After starting your influencer campaign, it’s important to track how well it’s doing. Look at things like engagement, conversions, and total sales to see what’s working. Use analytics tools to check each influencer’s post performance, so you can learn which strategies connect best with their audiences. Use this information to make your future campaigns better by choosing the right influencers and content. Knowing what works helps you keep improving and get the best results from your influencer marketing.
5 ways to find influencers to grow your brand I Influencer marketing 2023
Conclusion
Remember, influencer marketing is not just about driving sales; it’s about building long-term relationships and establishing your brand as a trusted authority. By leveraging the power of influencers, you can create authentic connections with your target audience and drive meaningful impact for your business. So start planning your influencer campaign today and get ready for a successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday!
FAQs
How can the influencer-generated content be repurposed?
The influencer-generated content can be repurposed in different ways like having paid ads, incorporating the influencer-generated content in email campaigns, and enhancing the product pages of the website with the influencer-generated content.
What are third-party influencer discovery tools?
Third-party influencer discovery tools like Aspire, Tring, and others help in connecting with potential influencers. These tools allow users to search for influencers based on specific filters such as keywords, engagement rate, and aesthetics.
When is Black Friday in 2024?
The Black Friday sale event falls on 29 November, just a few weeks away.
Process mapping is an important technique used by organizations to analyze and improve their workflows and procedures. Providing effective process mapping training to your employees is key to getting their buy-in and engagement in process improvement initiatives. Here are some ideas for conducting interactive and engaging process mapping training sessions:
Make it Hands-On with Real Examples
The best way to teach process mapping is through hands-on activities using real examples relevant to your employees’ work. Break employees into small groups and have them map out the current processes for tasks they are familiar with. This could include things like:
Onboarding new employees
Processing customer orders
Developing new products
Providing real-world examples will help employees see how process mapping applies directly to their day-to-day responsibilities. They are more likely to stay engaged when they can practice a new skill in a familiar context.
Share Examples of Process Maps
It can be helpful to show employees examples of different process map layouts and visuals. Provide samples of basic flowcharts, swimlane diagrams, value stream maps, and SIPOC diagrams. Explain when each tool is used and the benefits of visualizing different aspects of a process.
Having these process mapping template examples handy during the training will help employees understand the different techniques for illustrating processes. They can refer back to the samples as they work on creating their own maps.
Illustrate How Processes Can be Improved
One of the goals of process mapping is to identify opportunities for improvement. Provide real before-and-after examples that showcase how organizations improved inefficient or broken processes through mapping exercises.
Point out specific areas that were streamlined after being analyzed through process maps. This will help employees understand the tangible benefits of mapping out processes and get them excited about the potential changes to their own workflows.
Another interactive way to conduct process mapping training is to have employees physically walk through processes and observe how they flow. For example, you can have call center representatives sit with customer service reps and map out the steps to handle a customer phone call. Or have employees follow an order through fulfillment and track the process cross-functionally.
Observing processes in real time helps employees gain firsthand knowledge of different workflows across the organization. They will capture more accurate information to translate into process maps.
Provide Templates and Tools
Give your employees templates, tools and software to facilitate the mapping process. Provide simple flowchart templates they can fill in to map out processes. Have large format paper on hand so they can map out processes more visually. Show them online tools and mapping software your organization uses to capture and analyze processes digitally.
Equipping employees with these resources during training sets them up for success when documenting processes independently after the session. They will be more prepared to map processes on their own.
Do Group and Individual Activities
Your process mapping training should include activities completed in groups and individually. Small group activities allow employees to collaborate and learn from each other as they map out processes. Individual assignments will then allow them to apply their new skills independently.
For example, break employees into groups to map out a departmental ordering process together. Then give each employee a unique process to map on their own as an assignment after the training. This allows for both teamwork and individual learning.
Role Play Process Mapping Interviews
Sitting down with process owners for mapping interviews is an important data-gathering technique. Role-playing interviews during training help employees learn how to effectively conduct these discussions.
Have one employee play the role of a process mapping interviewer and another act as the process owner. Then switch roles so they get experience on both sides of the interview. Provide some sample mapping interview questions they can practice asking to uncover process steps and pain points.
Align with Overall Process Improvement Goals
Your organization likely has specific process improvement goals you are working towards. Align your process mapping training with these overarching objectives and explain how employees will help achieve the desired outcomes. This gives them a purpose beyond just learning a new skill.
For example, if your goal is to speed up production cycles, explain how process mapping will help identify bottlenecks causing delays. Employees will be motivated to engage in training when they see how their efforts contribute to larger improvement initiatives.
Make it Interactive
Incorporate interactivity into your process mapping training to ensure employees remain actively engaged from start to finish. Have them participate in discussions, hands-on examples, group work, and activities that apply what they have learned. Interactive training techniques keep employees focused and cement newly gained knowledge.
Provide Ongoing Support
A one-time process mapping training session will only take employees so far. Provide ongoing support to help them execute their skills back on the job. Check-in after training to see if they have any questions about applying what they learned. Offer refresher sessions for more complex mapping tools and techniques.
Having continued support programs ensures your employees adopt process mapping skills as part of their regular workflow. They will see greater value in the training knowing they can get help as needed after the initial session.
An effective process mapping training program is key to getting your employees onboard with process improvement initiatives. Using these interactive training ideas will arm your employees with process mapping skills and get them excited to improve workflows in your organization. Employing hands-on examples, group activities, and role-playing while aligning training with overarching improvement goals will lead to an engaged and empowered workforce ready to transform processes.
The wait for shopping season is finally right around the corner – Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM), after Thanksgiving. This is the most awaited day for every business to vent their products at a discount rate in the market and anticipate maximum profits.
Before the introduction of SaaS, people found it difficult to update or download on their devices, whereas SaaS aids in maintaining servers and databases that are easily accessible through the internet and eliminates convoluted software & hardware management.
The big day for retail shopping, software companies & digital commences forthwith after Thanksgiving. To account for that, SaaS faces an epic return for their investment in the business, where their stakes are quite intense but the buyer of it is low. Therefore, SaaS businesses see Black Friday as their advantage in selling the SaaS at a discount rate and a positive impact on sales as well as revenues.
Still, marketing SaaS during that shopping season requires a lot of effort such as engaging and hosting campaigns, fixing the price according to the demand & supply, especially analyzing competitors at the time of Black Friday in the market, and so on.
So, here are the tips you may take into account to promote your SaaS on Black Friday.
Top Strategies to Boost Your SaaS Product Sales on Black Friday
Start a Little Early
It would be best for SaaS businesses to start up their sales a little early, say from August or September 2021. Like, it is said that ‘Hustle in silence and let the success make noise’ so prepare things early instead of rushing on the big day. Schedule your social media about the offers, deals, and rates beforehand rather than surging on Black Friday and grab the opportunity before your competitors.
Retain Old Customers
Keeping an existing customer is quite easier than acquiring a new one. Customer retention rate directly impacts your SaaS business profit. According to the research, a 5% increment in the retention rate can boost your business up to 25%-90%. Furthermore, you have a 60%-70% chance of selling to an existing customer in comparison to selling a product to a new customer. Take a look at some strategies that will help you to increase your CRR.
The first and foremost step is to find inactive customers and re-engage with them. Under this re-engagement campaign, you can send personalized emails, special Black Friday SaaS deals, and distinctive recommendations to motivate them to purchase.
Centralize the customer’s data from various sources into a single location. It will increase your workflow productivity and also reduce the chance of data duplication.
You can build a long-term CRR by personalizing your customer interactions. Track the customer behavior which includes information regarding their purchase history, preferences, and browsing behavior as it will help you to tailor the interaction that is specific for a customer. This strategy can enhance the overall user experience.
Build a Strategy
SaaS businesses usually operate through subscriptions, but on BFCM, most people expect to purchase SaaS products and not subscribe to them, as the company is offering at an extreme discount rate.
While some look for the subscription model, build and establish your strategies according to it. For example, analyze your target audience in terms of what they’re searching for, what deals they’re expecting, and what channels are best to advertise SaaS so that will capture your targeted customers.
Make Things Exclusive for Loyal Customers
Creating Customer Loyalty programs is one the easiest ways to maintain a good client retention rate as it compels the customers with strong incentives to make a purchase. Here are some pointers that will help you to create a good loyalty program
Among multiple types of loyalty programs, select the one that aligns with your business aim
You can offer various types of incentives to your repeat customers that can include freebies, discounts, cashback, premium membership, and referral gifts
Keep your goal in mind while making a loyalty program. What do you want from this campaign like revenue or engagement?
Analyze the insights of your customer behavior and create personalized loyalty programs for them
Black Friday Exclusive Deal for VIP Members
Categorize Your Audience
As we know people purchase SaaS or any other software on Black Friday because that is the day when many companies offer at various rates from high to affordable to very low prices. Categorize your audiences according to the discount rates, because not everyone is looking for the same product at the same price. So, group up your audiences into segments and set different levels of discount rates like:
Some customers trailed your SaaS product but never made purchases
Customers who want to buy the product, but never made the step to purchase it
Existing Customers
New customers
Customers who are planning to buy SaaS products a long time ago and waiting for the right time to purchase
For instance, if the customer is conventional to your shop, and makes an appearance on Black Friday. Whereby, the customers foresee an affordable price, so you would give the product at a maximum discount rate for the sake of existing clients to the business.
Once you have done with the segment of your audiences according to discount rates, the subsequent process is to promote your SaaS products separately to them.
The most crucial step to promote your SaaS on Black Friday is to set the right offers, where setting the discount at really high rates could cause a decline in the profit margins. On the other perspective, Pricing the SaaS products too low may leave customers disinterested in your product.
For instance, if you have set a 70% discount rate on your SaaS products, this would entice people to make purchases but, you may not even get a 60% profit from the money you have invested in the business. So, think sagacious in deciding the discount rate.
Optimize Your Website
If you have a website but it is not optimized then consider it of no use. Without SEO or search engine optimization, your website will not rank on the search engine page of Google. For instance, if a customer searches about the services you offer and your website is not listed on SERP then the chances of getting a customer will become highly unlikely. By optimizing your site with SEO tools, you can prevent such a situation from occurring.
SEO is a set of techniques that are designed to align with Google’s algorithm so that they can improve the positioning and ranking of a website in organic search results. SEO experts analyze your website content and refine it accordingly to maximize the organic traffic on the website. This traffic can be leveraged to convert prospects into customers. Keyword research, on-page optimization, technical optimization, and link building are some major tactics that are generally used for SEO to increase the visibility and credibility of a site. When your website ranks higher, your business grows and makes more money.
Create Compelling Emails
Email marketing is one of the oldest marketing methods but it is still relevant as before. That’s why it is very important to prepare an email marketing strategy for your business. Emails help you to connect with your customers in a very personalised way. It keeps your customers updated about your offers and products. Email marketing can give you a higher conversion rate if you implement it strategically. You should collect the email addresses of your customers, potential customers, and people who are interested in your venture and send them well-structured emails. By sending emails while considering buyer personas related to different stages of the buying cycle, you will be able to increase conversions.
Dell’s Email Newsletter – Black Friday
Create a Sense of Urgency
Creating urgency in sales is a method that encourages customers to buy the product as soon as possible. Professionals use this technique to create a sense that appeals to the consumer’s “Fear of missing out” on something important and makes them take action right away. You can make this strategy more appealing by combining two elements. First, make an advertisement that displays the product in a very desirable way. Second, limit the number of products available, offer discount prices for a short period, or combine both of these criteria.
Promote Your SaaS Products on Different Social Media Platforms
With 60% of the global population present on social media, it is the best way to make your digital presence known. Social media is the most influential virtual space, which is used not only for social networking but also for advertising brands digitally. Social media marketing is very cost-effective as you can do it by yourself, but to channel the power of social media in the right direction, the expertise and assistance of professionals would be very accommodating. Social media marketing involves posting engaging and interesting content consistently on your social media account. It helps to target the right audience and also ensures to build a connection with your customer on a personal level.
Create Creative and Dedicated Landing Pages for the Day(CTA)
If you yearn to take the yield of your arduous endeavor then create a dedicated landing page with a custom design and mention Black Friday. Make some attractive offers and remark that it’s a one-time offer.
Walmart’s Landing Page – Black Friday
Present and Check if Your Site Is Mobile-Friendly and Keep Your Presentation Lucid
Shopping on mobile is the new normal, as per reports 46% to 54% of people buy products using smartphones and it covers about 30 to 37% of sales. So make sure that your site is mobile-friendly. To make your site mobile-ready do a Google Speed Test And don’t skip to specify the “mobile” feature.
Make your site accessible on all smart devices like iPhones, iPads, and Android. Add mobile-friendly payment choices for your customers, as people may prefer several payment options, so make sure you have alternatives like Apple Pay, Alipay, Android Pay, etc. People always prefer sites that are friendly and easy to access, so make your presentation and sites lucid.
Promote through Paid Advertisements
Paid ads are essential for promoting your products during Black Friday. Make the most of this time, as paid ads can lead to great returns. Using Google Ads or Facebook Ads will help you reach more customers.
Keep in mind that Black Friday keywords are very competitive, which means your cost per click (CPC) might be high, and the quality score may not meet your expectations. But that’s okay—many people search for Black Friday deals just to browse, and only serious buyers will make the purchase.
Consider Different Styles of Campaigns
If you’re new to Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) sales, whether you’re just starting out or haven’t focused on it before, it can be hard to know what will work for your business. Trying different things is essential to find out what works best.
In addition to creating different campaigns for various customer groups, it’s also a good idea to experiment with different types of campaigns.
Boost Your Business with AI Strategies
If you’re not using the latest technology, like AI, what are you waiting for? AI can make a big difference in the success of your campaigns this year. Here are some great ways to use AI in your campaigns: brainstorm ideas, calculate the best discount rates and adjust prices in real-time, provide customer support with chatbots, forecast how well your campaign will do, personalize messages for different customers, and automate logistics and tracking.
Benefits of Promoting your SaaS Product on Black Friday
People have profited from peddling their products on Black Friday. Here we have quoted a few advantages you obtain by retailing your SaaS product on Black Friday.
Black Friday is a presumed exhibition, so you don’t need to spend much on publicity for your software. People know the objectives of buying products on Black Friday and you can also captivate better consumers by delivering them promising deals or proposals. You may be promoted on sales listings and articles of Black Friday.
Correlated to further days, on Black Friday numerous customers will be glancing for adequate products. So there will be a Huge Audience, all you have to do is execute a satisfactory campaign and propose to them a healthy rebate.
On Black Friday products amass better prices, mainly on Cyber Monday software products exchanges prevail at maximum.
Conclusion
Black Friday is recognized by everyone and you don’t need to publicize it. In this era, the extreme public infers about Black Friday and its usefulness. It captivates a massive audience and also profits you double the value.
Campaigning on Black Friday as a SaaS company is not an easy thing but neglecting it may cause you a huge loss. To make the procedure less tiring, put your deal on the list and join hands with an e-commerce service to help you with the logistics, billing questions, and shoppers.
FAQ
What is Black Friday?
Black Friday is an annual shopping event known for its massive discounts and sales, occurring the day after Thanksgiving. It marks the start of the holiday shopping season, attracting shoppers to both physical and online stores for great deals.
When is Black Friday sale 2024?
Black Friday occurs the day after Thanksgiving is celebrated in the US. This year, it falls on Friday, November 29, 2024.
What is SaaS?
SaaS is a software over service where the providers deliver their applications over the internet.
What are the strategies to promote SaaS on Black Friday?
Starting early, Promoting your products on social media before the big day, and making sure the website is mobile-friendly are some of the strategies to promote SaaS on Black Friday.
Why Black Friday sale occur?
Many people believe that the term “Black Friday” comes from the idea that businesses are usually losing money, or “in the red,” until the day after Thanksgiving. On that day, the big sales help them finally make a profit and get “in the black.”
Black Friday is a highly anticipated event for both brick-and-mortar and online stores. It presents a tremendous opportunity for businesses to attract new customers and boost sales. One of the most effective ways to capitalize on this shopping frenzy is by creating compelling Black Friday landing pages. In this article, we shall talk about 13 successful strategies for designing high-converting Black Friday landing pages that will help you stand out from the competition.
Before we delve into the strategies, let’s take a moment to understand the importance of having a dedicated landing page for your Black Friday promotions. A landing page serves as a focused hub for your marketing campaign, directing visitors to take specific actions, such as making a purchase or signing up for a newsletter. By creating a well-designed and persuasive landing page, you can maximize conversions and drive revenue during the holiday season. Below are some of the key strategies for creating high-converting Black Friday landing pages:
Strategies for Creating High-Converting Black Friday Landing Pages
Use Bold Headlines
The headline is the first thing visitors see when they land on your Black Friday landing page, so it needs to grab their attention immediately. Make sure your headline is bold, clear, and concise, conveying the value proposition of your offer. Use powerful words and phrases that resonate with your target audience and create a sense of urgency.
For example, Tony Robbins, a renowned life coach, uses an inspirational and motivational tone in his Black Friday landing page. His headline celebrates the beginning of the holiday season and encourages visitors to explore his solutions for mastering every area of their lives.
“Master Every Area of Your Life: Unleash Your Potential this Holiday Season”
Craft Compelling Copy
Once you have captured the attention of your visitors with a strong headline, it’s crucial to maintain their interest with compelling copy. Your copy should clearly communicate the benefits of your offer and address any potential objections or concerns. Use persuasive language, storytelling techniques, and social proof to build trust and credibility.
Passion for Savings, a website that features coupons and online deals, effectively uses informative copy to direct visitors to their best Black Friday deals and alerts. They provide clear headlines and subheadings that guide visitors to the most relevant sections of their landing page.
“Best Black Friday Deals: Save Big on the Hottest Products this Holiday Season”
Create Strong Call-to-Action (CTA) Buttons
A strong call-to-action (CTA) is essential for driving conversions on your Black Friday landing page. Use action-oriented language and design visually appealing buttons that stand out from the rest of the page. Make sure your CTA clearly communicates the next step visitors should take to avail of your offer.
EngageBay, an email marketing software company, effectively uses playful language in its CTA buttons to entice visitors to sign up for their holiday SaaS deals. They use phrases like “Notify Me” and “Get Exclusive Access” to create a sense of anticipation and exclusivity.
Black Friday is all about quick shopping, with customers rushing to grab the best deals before they’re gone. To keep up, your Black Friday landing page must load quickly to keep shoppers interested. To improve your Black Friday landing page’s load speed, you can start by compressing and resizing images to reduce their size without losing quality. Limiting the number of elements, like images, scripts, and styles, can also help speed up loading times. Enabling browser caching will allow returning visitors to avoid reloading the entire page. Finally, removing unnecessary code and spaces will streamline your site’s performance. Implementing these strategies can keep shoppers engaged and enhance their experience.
Leverage Social Proof and Testimonials
Social proof is a powerful tool for building trust and credibility. Incorporate customer testimonials, reviews, and success stories on your Black Friday landing page to demonstrate the value of your offer. Use compelling visuals and quotes that highlight the positive experiences of your satisfied customers.
RafflePress, a WordPress plugin for building contests and giveaways, effectively showcases testimonials from happy customers who have benefited from their Black Friday deal. By featuring real people and their positive experiences, they instill confidence in potential customers and increase conversion rates.
Create a Sense of Urgency with Countdown Timers
Black Friday Landing Page Example
Urgency is a powerful psychological trigger that can drive visitors to take immediate action. Incorporate countdown timers on your Black Friday landing page to create a sense of scarcity and encourage visitors to purchase before time runs out. Highlight the limited availability of your offer and emphasize that the deal will expire soon.
The School of Calisthenics, an online fitness coaching platform, effectively uses a countdown timer to create a sense of urgency for their Black Friday sale. By reminding visitors of the limited time remaining, they encourage them to take advantage of the exclusive offer before it’s too late.
Example: “Don’t Miss Out: Only [X] Hours Left to Save 50% on Our Online Fitness Courses”
Black Friday is all about offering irresistible deals and discounts. Create special offers and bundles specifically for this shopping event to entice visitors and increase the perceived value of your offer. Highlight the savings and benefits customers will receive by availing of your Black Friday deal.
HandleTheHeat, a baking business specializing in desserts and cookie making, effectively promotes a discounted bundle of their baking courses for the holiday season. By presenting a comprehensive package that includes a handbook, a baking class, and an ebook, they provide customers with a compelling reason to make a purchase.
Example: “Black Friday Exclusive: Save Over 50% on Our Baking Course Bundle.”
Eye-Catchy Banners
Black Friday brings many excited shoppers looking for the best deals, and with so many offers, it’s easy to miss some. That’s why having bright banners to show your giveaways and promotions is important.
These banners don’t just grab attention; they help turn curious visitors into loyal customers. In a sea of discounts, a standout banner can make a big difference, helping you increase sales and make a lasting impression on shoppers.
Optimize for Mobile Devices
In today’s mobile-first world, it’s crucial to ensure that your Black Friday landing page is fully optimized for mobile devices. A significant portion of your target audience will be accessing your page from smartphones and tablets, so make sure the design, layout, and functionality are seamless on mobile screens.
The New York Times, a leading news publication, creates a mobile-friendly Black Friday landing page that provides a seamless user experience across different devices. Their page is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes, ensuring that visitors can easily navigate and engage with their Black Friday offers.
Implement Clear Navigation
While a focused and streamlined landing page is essential, it’s also important to provide clear navigation options for visitors who want to explore more of your website. Incorporate a simple and intuitive navigation menu that allows visitors to easily access other sections of your website or explore additional products and services.
Sage, a company that sells accounting software, effectively implements clear navigation on their Black Friday landing page. They provide a basic Unbounce landing page template with minor modifications, allowing visitors to navigate to different sections of their website and explore various promotions.
Optimize Loading Speed
Loading speed is a critical factor in determining the success of your Black Friday landing page. Visitors expect fast and responsive websites and a slow-loading page can lead to high bounce rates and lost conversions. Optimize your page by compressing images, minimizing code, and leveraging caching techniques to ensure a smooth and speedy user experience.
Vimeo, a video hosting platform, ensures fast loading speeds on its Cyber Monday landing page. By enhancing its page for quick loading times, the platform provides a seamless browsing experience for visitors, increasing the chances of engagement and conversions.
Implement A/B Testing
A/B testing is a powerful technique that allows you to experiment with different elements of your Black Friday landing page to determine which version performs better. Test different headlines, copy variations, CTA button designs, and overall layouts to optimize your page for maximum conversions. One can analyze the results and make data-driven decisions to improve the effectiveness of your landing page.
The School of Calisthenics effectively utilizes A/B testing to refine its Black Friday landing page. By testing different variations of their headline, copy, and CTA buttons, they identify the elements that resonate most with their target audience, leading to higher conversion rates.
Monitor and Optimize Performance
Once your Black Friday landing page is live, it’s crucial to monitor its performance and make necessary optimizations to maximize conversions. Use analytics tools to track key metrics such as bounce rate, conversion rate, and average session duration. Identify areas of improvement and make iterative changes to optimize your page for optimal results.
Canine Principles, an online school for dog training, continuously monitors and optimizes their Black Friday landing page performance. By analyzing user behavior, they identify potential bottlenecks and make iterative improvements to increase conversions and drive revenue.
Conclusion
Creating high-converting Black Friday landing pages requires careful planning, strategic design, and persuasive messaging. By implementing the strategies outlined in this article, you can effectively capture the attention of your target audience, build trust and credibility, create a sense of urgency, and drive conversions. Remember to continuously monitor and optimize your landing page to maximize its performance and ensure a successful Black Friday campaign. Happy converting!
FAQs
How do I create a high-converting landing page?
Craft a compelling headline and concise, persuasive copy. Use clear CTAs and compelling visuals to guide visitors toward conversion.
How do you attract customers on Black Friday?
Offer irresistible discounts and promotions. Implement targeted marketing campaigns across channels to create buzz and drive customer engagement.
What sells the most on Black Friday?
Electronics, especially popular gadgets and devices, sell the most on Black Friday. Additionally, clothing, home goods, and heavily discounted doorbusters attract significant sales.
We understand the notion, the hope that binds it together – the sheer possibility that your revenues will soar pushes individuals to try everything they can to make the most out of this day. Unarguably, Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) is an exciting time for eCommerce businesses. It’s a period of high sales and revenue potential, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. One wrong step, and you may end up spoiling your prospects for the big day. To ensure that you make the most out of this crucial sales season, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that can hinder your success. In this article, we’ll explore the top mistakes to avoid during the BFCM sales season and provide tips on how to navigate them successfully.
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is not adequately preparing for the BFCM sales season. Many brands focus solely on the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend, missing out on the opportunity to drive sales for weeks leading up to and following the event. To avoid this mistake, it’s essential to plan and implement a well-rounded BFCM strategy that aligns with your overall branding and sales goals. Consider creating three phases: Pre-BFCM, BFCM weekend, and post-BFCM. During the pre-BFCM phase, focus on building your SMS lists, driving app downloads, and implementing a customer retention strategy. This will help you maximize the benefits of the entire holiday season.
Mistake 2: Overemphasizing Discounts
While discounts are an integral part of BFCM, relying solely on them can be a mistake. By offering unique and creative deals that align with your brand strategy, you can stand out from the competition and build customer loyalty. Instead of engaging in a race to the lowest price, consider adding value to your offers in other ways. For example, you can provide exclusive member perks or app-only products. This approach will help you create a more meaningful connection with your target audience and differentiate yourself from competitors.
Mistake 3: Underutilizing Push Notifications
Email marketing is essential during BFCM, but don’t overlook the power of push notifications. These notifications allow you to reach shoppers actively looking for deals and can be highly effective in driving conversions. Utilize push notifications to send personalized messages, such as abandoned cart campaigns, to follow up on orders. This 1:1 marketing strategy can significantly impact your sales and help you make the most of the BFCM sales season.
Mistake 4: Neglecting App Optimization
If your business has a mobile app, it’s crucial to ensure that it’s optimized for the BFCM sales season. Your app should run smoothly, and all your deals and discounts should be easily accessible to users. Take the time to update and test your app on various devices before the rush of BFCM begins. Additionally, consider creating a dedicated landing page within your app specifically for BFCM. This will make it easier for shoppers to find your deals and drive more conversions.
Mistake 5: Failing to Create Urgency
Creating a sense of urgency is key to maximizing BFCM sales. Shoppers are looking for deals, but they also want a reason to buy now. By implementing strategies such as countdown timers and limited-time offers, you can create a sense of urgency and prompt shoppers to make a purchase. Additionally, consider notifying your most loyal customers with exclusive early access deals. This will make them feel valued and incentivize them to take advantage of your offers.
for Love & Lemons – Countdown Timer for Cyber Weekend
Mistake 6: Ignoring Personalization
With the abundance of BFCM messaging, personalization is critical. In a sea of generic promotions, personalized communication can help your brand stand out and resonate with your audience. Take advantage of audience segmentation to tailor your offers and communications to specific customer groups. By understanding your customers’ preferences and behaviors, you can create more relevant and impactful campaigns.
One of the most valuable resources for planning a successful BFCM sales season is your own data from previous years. Analyzing past performance can provide insights into what worked well and what didn’t. Use this data to inform your strategies and campaign planning for the current year. Consider metrics such as conversion rates, average order value, and customer lifetime value to understand customer behavior and optimize your campaigns effectively.
Mistake 8: Underestimating Customer Support
Providing excellent customer support is crucial during the BFCM sales season. With increased traffic and inquiries, it’s important to have enough staff to handle customer inquiries promptly and efficiently. Ensure that your customer support team is adequately trained and equipped with the necessary resources to address customer questions and concerns. By providing exceptional support, you can enhance the overall customer experience and build customer loyalty.
Mistake 9: Failing to Optimize for Mobile and Dark Mode
In today’s mobile-centric world, optimizing your BFCM communications for mobile is essential. The majority of customers will view your emails and notifications on their mobile devices, so it’s crucial to ensure that your content is visually appealing and easy to navigate on smaller screens. Additionally, consider optimizing your communications for dark mode, which has become increasingly popular among users. By optimizing for mobile and dark mode, you can enhance the readability and professionalism of your messages.
Mistake 10: Not Setting Expiration Dates or Quantity Limits
When offering discounts during BFCM, it’s important to set clear expiration dates and quantity limits. Without these parameters, you risk having customers redeeming discounts long after the sales season or depleting your inventory at unsustainable rates. Set an end date for your discounts and clearly communicate it to customers. Additionally, consider implementing quantity limits on certain products to prevent excessive discounting and protect your profit margins.
Mistake 11: Underestimating Website Traffic and Performance
Your website is key for Black Friday sales in eCommerce. If it crashes or slows down, sales can suffer. Many retailers fail to prepare for high traffic. To avoid this, plan a few months ahead and check:
Loading speed
Daily resource usage
Past traffic data
Optimize your images by resizing them. If you expect international visitors, consider using a content delivery network (CDN) to improve loading times. If your hosting plan can’t handle the traffic, upgrade it well before your campaign starts.
Mistake 12: Underutilization of Marketing Channels
Using different marketing channels for BFCM is crucial to avoid missing sales. To reach more customers, use various methods like:
Social media
Email
Push notifications
Paid ads
By diversifying, you increase your chances of making sales and reduce abandoned carts.
3 BFCM MIstakes & What To Do Instead
Conclusion
By avoiding these common mistakes, you can set your business up for success during the BFCM sales season. Plan ahead, personalize your communications, optimize your channels, and provide exceptional customer support. With a strategic and well-executed approach, you can make the most out of this critical sales period and drive significant revenue for your business.
FAQs
What are the most common mistakes eCommerce brands make during BFCM?
Some of the common mistakes that eCommerce brands make during BFCM include neglecting preparations for BFCM, overemphasizing discounts, underutilizing push notifications, neglecting app optimization, failing to create urgency, ignoring personalization, disregarding previous data, underestimating customer support, failing to optimize for mobile and dark mode, and not setting expiration dates or quantity limits.
When is the Black Friday Sale in 2023?
The Black Friday sale is on 24th November 2023.
Why disregarding previous data can be a mistake during the BFCM sale?
One of the most valuable resources for planning a successful BFCM sales season is your own data from previous years. Analyzing past performance can provide insights into what worked well and what didn’t. Use this data to inform your strategies and campaign planning for the current year.
The festival of Diwali is celebrated to hail the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya. Tulsidas’s epic ‘Ramcharitmanas’ details the celebrations, however, there is no mention of firecrackers being burst in Ayodhya. In fact, a specific verse in his creation states – “There was a sound from the sky, the whole Ayodhya was decorated with flowers, a special fragrance was scattered in the streets.”
So, if there is no mention of firecrackers in a known account of Lord Rama’s story, it begs the question – When, where, and how did firecrackers originate?
As per reports, in 2024, the global fireworks market was valued at USD 2.69 billion and is expected to reach USD 3.65 billion by 2032, growing at a 3.9% annual rate. Asia-Pacific held the largest market share in 2023.
Fireworks Exports by Country during 2023
History of Firecrackers in India
The Chinese discovered firecrackers, quite by accident, between 2000 and 2200 years ago. Local folklore says that the Chinese burnt bamboo to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The air caught in the bamboo shaft caused it to expand and burst as it caught fire– a good way to scare away evil spirits. The sound that emanated from that is thought to be the original firecracker.
Following that sound, the alchemists of the day experimented with various chemicals and invented a mixture that added more sound to the ‘bamboo pop’. This mixture was a precursor to today’s gunpowder, which was then perfected over the next century.
From there on, the gunpowder technology and the associated pyrotechnical entertainment mixtures found their way to India through the Arabs.
The late historian P.K. Gode wrote and published an account “History of Fireworks in India between 1400 and 1900” in 1950. In the account, he states that the use of fireworks in the celebration of Diwali, which is so common in India now, must have come into existence after 1400 AD when gunpowder came to be used in Indian warfare. The earliest accounts of fireworks being used in India were recorded around that time. Kautukachintamani, a Sanskrit volume by Gajapati Prataparudradeva (1497-1539), mentions the formulas for manufacturing firecrackers.
Timeline of Firecracker Use in India
Abdur Razzaq, the ambassador of the Timurid Sultan Shahrukh to the court of Deva Raya II of the Vijayanagara kingdom mentions one of the earliest accounts of fireworks in 1443. His description of the Mahanavami festival mentions– “One cannot without entering into great detail mention all the various kinds of pyrotechny and squibs and various other arrangements which were exhibited.”
Throughout history, there are various accounts of the use of fireworks being used for different reasons. In 1518, fireworks were used in Gujarat to celebrate weddings. In 1609, the Sultan of Bijapur, Ibrahim Adil Shah, spent INR 80,000 on firecrackers.
For a few centuries, the use of fireworks was limited to royalty, and it depicted a sign of prosperity and grandeur during the Mughal era. Weddings and coronations were usually celebrated with fireworks. It was only in the 18th century that the use of fireworks by the masses began when the Maratha rulers began organizing fireworks displays for the general public.
Indian industries began manufacturing firecrackers only after independence when the first fireworks factory was established in Kolkata. Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu became the manufacturing hub of firecrackers. Two brothers, P. Ayya Nadar, and Shanmuga Nadar set up two factories that first made sparklers, more popularly known as ‘phooljhadi’. Even today, the city of Sivakasi has over 6.5 lakh families who are directly or indirectly dependent on this industry for their livelihood.
Like every other industry, the firecracker industry in India also suffered during the COVID-19 in 2020. For an industry that has an estimated worth of INR 5,000 crores, it produced only INR 3000 crores worth of firecrackers that year. The industry woes, however, continued into 2021 as several states, including Odisha, Rajasthan, Delhi, and Haryana, announced a complete or partial ban on firecrackers.
In 2021, the value of manufactured fireworks was close to INR 1500 crores, reduced by 50% compared to the previous year. Even with less crackers production, the industry witnessed an estimated loss of INR 500 crores.
T. Kannan, Director at Sree Balaji Fireworks and the General Secretary of the Indian Fireworks Manufacturers Association, said, “If the ban continues for the coming years, we wouldn’t have any definite policy to manufacture. We were not prepared for the ban from these states. Firecrackers create pollution in the mind of people and not much in reality,”
After the pandemic, the Supreme Court banned firecrackers, adding restrictions on exports due to quality concerns. To reduce air and noise pollution, the Court instructed firecracker manufacturers to make only “green” or “low-emission” crackers. Developing these eco-friendly crackers has been assigned to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Fireworks Research and Development Center in Tamil Nadu. However, using these alternative materials is twice as costly.
In the future, if the firecracker industry has to survive and thrive, it has to undergo a transition to make it environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and contribute towards decent work for all those who are dependent on it. The industry has to be supported by enabling government policies, promote innovation, and be based on a coherent framework.
The Impact of the Firecrackers Ban on Sivakasi
Conclusion
The future of the firecracker industry is dependent on various factors. However, there is no proof that it has any historical connection to the celebrations at Ayodhya on the arrival of Lord Rama. The only scriptural evidence is the lighting of Diyas which reflected the joy of the city’s people.
History proves that firecrackers are a legacy of the Chinese and the Mughals no older than 2200 years. It is in no way an inseparable part of Diwali celebrations. The bursting of firecrackers is a recent North Indian phenomenon that gained prominence when firecrackers were made available to the masses.
FAQs
How large is the fireworks industry?
The global market for fireworks was estimated to be worth $2485.7 million in 2021 and is expected to grow to $3219.9 million by the year 2027.
Why is Diwali celebrated with fireworks?
Diwali is celebrated with fireworks with the intention of keeping off all the evil spirits and also adding a sense of liveliness to the festive spirit.
Who invented firecrackers first?
It is believed that it was the Chinese who discovered firecrackers, quite by accident, between 2000 and 2200 years ago.
Where crackers made in India?
Sivakasi, a city in the Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu, India, is famous for its firecracker and match factories, which supply about 70% of the country’s production.
Who invented crackers in India?
India’s first fireworks factory was established in Kolkata in the 19th century by a man named Gopal Mahindram.
Are firecrackers banned in India in 2024?
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has completely banned making, storing, selling, and using firecrackers, including online orders, until January 1, 2025. Only “green crackers” are allowed for use.
You can be unaware of it only if you’re living under a rock. Big day for businesses all around the globe – Black Friday and Cyber Monday, collectively known as BFCM, are two of the most highly anticipated shopping events of the year. For both online and brick-and-mortar merchants, these sales periods offer a unique opportunity to boost sales, attract new customers, and increase brand visibility. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the origins and significance of BFCM, provide valuable tips and strategies for planning your sales, and explore various marketing channels to maximize your reach during this lucrative season.
Black Friday, which falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving, has its roots in the United States and was originally used to mark the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. It gained popularity in the 1960s when people would skip work to take advantage of the sales in retail stores. In the early 1980s, retailers recognized the financial benefits of this annual shopping spree and started offering significant discounts to attract shoppers.
Introduced in 2005, Cyber Monday was created to promote online shopping among Black Friday deal hunters. With the rise of e-commerce, online sales have surpassed retail purchases, making Cyber Monday an essential part of the BFCM shopping experience.
Black Friday Online Consumer Spending with Projection from 2024-2026
As per the reports from Statista and Adobe, the Black Friday 2023 online revenue reached over $9.80 billion, a 7.46% increase from last year. It was 188% higher than the average daily online sales and 179% higher than Q4’s daily sales. However, Black Friday’s revenue was 21% lower than Cyber Monday. From 2022 to 2023, online retail spending grew by 7.69%.
The Popularity and Attraction of BFCM
BFCM has become a highly marketed event, drawing in millions of shoppers in search of the best deals on a wide range of products. Retailers, both online and offline, offer substantial discounts, sometimes as high as 60%, to entice customers. The popularity of BFCM has even led to instances of violence among shoppers in stores. The allure of significant savings and limited-time offers drives customers to participate in this shopping extravaganza.
Planning Your Black Friday Sale
The Importance of Planning
Whether you’re a small store or a large enterprise, planning is crucial to ensure a successful Black Friday sale. Taking the time to strategize and prepare will help you grab the attention of potential customers, increase purchases, and build a loyal customer base. Here are three core steps to consider when planning your Black Friday sale:
Decide your discount amount: Determine the percentage or value of discounts you’re willing to offer on your products. Strike a balance between attracting customers and maintaining profitability.
Promote your store’s discount: Utilise innovative marketing channels to create buzz around your Black Friday sale. Leverage social media platforms, email marketing, and web push notifications to reach a wider audience and generate excitement.
Engage with visitors and provide stellar customer support:Ensure that your website is user-friendly and optimized for a seamless shopping experience. Offer exceptional customer support to maximize conversions and leave a lasting impression on shoppers.
Creating an Online Catalog
Creating an online catalog is a powerful way to showcase your products and reach a larger customer base. Digital catalogs are more cost-effective and easier to create than physical catalogs, allowing you to reduce production and distribution costs. They can also include interactive features such as product reviews, video content, and detailed product information, enhancing customer engagement and decision-making.
Leveraging Communication Channels For BFCM
Customers crave attention. They want to feel important as well as informed. To effectively market your Black Friday sale and increase visibility, consider leveraging web push notifications. Craft well-written notifications that highlight your sale and entice subscribers to visit your store and make a purchase. Businesses can also transform their social media into a sales and support engine during BFCM and make the most out of the Black Friday- Cyber Monday extravaganza. Reach out to your customers on Facebook, share behind-the-scenes footage on your Instagram, or simply send them order updates on WhatsApp. Convert your Black Friday visitors into subscribers to expand your audience and market to them even after the sale ends. Trust us, they love it!
To maximize your sales and revenue opportunities, consider extending the BFCM sales period beyond the traditional weekend. By planning for a longer sales period, you can take advantage of pre-Thanksgiving sales and promotions, as well as post-BFCM opportunities. Communicate your offers early and continue promoting them to capture the attention of customers who may be considering whether to buy online or in person.
Identifying Products for Promotion
Picking the right products to promote during BFCM is essential for driving sales and maximizing profitability. Leverage data and analytics to identify high-demand products that customers are most likely to purchase during this period. Utilise sales reports, conduct an ABC analysis, and leverage inventory management systems to make informed decisions about which products to feature in your Black Friday campaign. What has worked for you in the past, shall give you an idea as to what would work in the future as well. So, keep a tab on your sales history to make the most out of the period.
Crafting Irresistible Offers
Creating compelling offers is key to attracting customers and driving sales during the BFCM sales period. Consider running “jaw-dropping” sales on popular items to draw customers to your store. Utilise apps and features that promote discounts, upsells, and cross-sells to encourage customers to make larger purchases. Additionally, consider using flagship products as loss leaders to drive revenue and increase average order value.
Optimizing Shipping and Delivery
If you’re selling a physical product, then a well-defined shipping and delivery strategy is crucial for a successful Black Friday sale. Define your shipping options, including free shipping thresholds and expedited shipping, to meet customer expectations and incentivize purchases. Communicate your shipping policy, including transit times, on your website and during the checkout process. Consider offering additional shipping options such as buying online, and pickup in-store to cater to local customers. For those selling SaaS, or LTDs to their software – it is important to highlight the perks, benefits, and how the software experience would be delivered in the first place.
Black Friday And Cyber Monday Deals: What You Need To Know
Rewarding and Retaining Customers
Rewarding loyal customers is an effective way to drive sales and foster brand loyalty during the BFCM sales period. Offer exclusive discounts, early access to sales, and special perks for referrals through your customer loyalty program. Personalize your marketing campaigns and provide targeted offers to existing customers to encourage repeat purchases. Utilise email marketing and social media to engage with your loyal customer base and incentivize them to continue shopping with you.
Reflection and Improvement
After the dust of BFCM settles, take the time to reflect on your strategies and outcomes. Analyze your sales data, customer feedback, and marketing performance to identify areas of improvement. Document your decisions and outcomes for future reference and use the lessons learned to refine your approach for the next BFCM sales period.
You can host a Black Friday live stream on your social media channels. People can join from anywhere, letting you showcase products, answer questions, and offer special deals to more people.
You could also use these events to raise money for charity. A live stream on Instagram with a donation link is a great way to support a good cause and strengthen your brand image.
Take Advantage of Cross-selling
Example of Cross-Selling
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are perfect for improving your cross-selling skills.
When a customer buys something, suggest another item that goes well with it. Simple examples of cross-selling include:
Socks + shoes
Yoga mats + yoga straps
To set up cross-sell offers, you can use third-party tools too.
Conclusion
Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer tremendous opportunities for businesses to boost sales and attract new customers. By understanding the history and significance of BFCM, carefully planning your sales, and utilizing the right marketing channels and resources, you can maximize your reach and profitability during this highly anticipated shopping season. Follow the strategies and tips outlined in this guide to ensure a successful and lucrative BFCM experience for your business.
FAQs
What is BFCM meaning?
BFCM is Black Friday – Cyber Monday. It refers to the major shopping events right after Thanksgiving. Many retailers offer big discounts during this time.
What is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday, introduced in 2005, was created to promote online shopping among Black Friday deal hunters.
How extending the BFCM sales period can help maximize your sales and revenue?
By planning for a longer sales period, you can take advantage of pre-Thanksgiving sales and promotions, as well as post-BFCM opportunities.
How can the customers be retained and rewarded during the BFCM sales period?
Rewarding loyal customers is an effective way to drive sales and foster brand loyalty during the BFCM sales period. Offer exclusive discounts, early access to sales, and special perks for referrals through your customer loyalty program.
Rishi Mundra
