From Black Friday stress to record sales: The only checklist you need

You start to sweat. Because Black Friday and Cyber Monday are just around the corner. ‘Am I ready?’ you hear yourself ask aloud. Don't panic. With our handy checklist, you still have time to get everything in order. And to take full advantage of these shopping days.

Preparation

Before you send out a single campaign, you need to have a solid foundation. Forget switching between tools; you can manage everything centrally for total control. We divide the checks involved into technical, commercial and strategic checks.

Technical checks

• Validate your CNAMEs Technical headaches? Not with us. Your emails need to arrive, period. Reloadify's built-in domain check guides you through it in 3 clicks. Green tick? You're ready to sell. By also setting up a DMARC, your inbox knows what to do with every email. You can read more tips on avoiding the spam box here.
• Prepare your website for traffic Peak load during Black Friday Super logical. But can your site handle the peak load? Spread the sending of your newsletters in Reloadify with one click. This way, you can send your emails within a few hours, distributing the traffic across the website.
• Brief your development team Website down. Incorrect prices. Feeling the stress? Make sure someone is on standby. If something goes wrong, you want to be able to switch immediately and not wait in a ticket queue.

Commercial checks

• Get your offers ready Imagine: it's Black Friday morning. While your competitors are sweating as they check their discount codes, you're calmly drinking a cup of coffee. Why? Because yesterday you prepared and scheduled all your deals in Reloadify.
• Check your stock Nothing is more frustrating than having to say “no” to a sale. A quick check prevents disappointment. Not sure how much to buy? Ask the supplier if they can rush an extra order.
• Create a landing page for registrations Now is the perfect time to build your email list. A landing page where customers can register for early access is a simple way to expand your list with interested buyers.

Strategic checks

• Make your plan Start creating buzz early. Decide when to send which message to stay ahead of your competition.
• Segment your profiles This is the key. In Reloadify, you don't just segment, you create opportunities. Give your VIP customers early access, and send customers who haven't bought anything in a while an extra attractive win-back deal to convince them. Be personal and creative. Only then will you attract the attention of the right customer.
• Lighten your warehouse
• Ensure your logistics team is prepared for the extra rush so that parcels leave on time. Consider hiring extra staff or extending staff working hours.

The execution: create an unforgettable customer journey

Your foundation is in place. Now it's time to set up campaigns that convert and offer a personalised experience.

• Activate profitable triggers Triggers are your automatic money makers. As soon as a customer takes action (leaves a shopping cart, makes a purchase), Reloadify sends the perfect email to bring in revenue.
• Plan your campaigns smartly Check and plan your newsletters in advance. Get everything ready now in Reloadify. Double-check the content, prices and links. That way, you'll have your hands free when the rush starts. Allow multiple newsletters per day. Would you like to have multiple contact moments on Black Friday itself? Don't forget to tick the box in the settings that allows a profile to receive multiple emails per day. Think about resending: Resending to non-openers can be effective, but make sure you don't overwhelm the customer. Coordinate this carefully with your overall planning.
• Create content that converts The customer's inbox is flooded with emails. Use eye-catching subject lines and pre-headers. Stand out in the crowded inbox. Be creative and vary your approach. Focus on strong header images: The first visual impression in your email is crucial. Go big; with Black Friday, you can. Create urgency with countdown timers: make customers feel like they can't miss out on the deal. Use terms like ‘while stocks last’ to convince them to buy now.

The follow-up: turn buyers into returning fans

The purchase is not the end, but the beginning. The data you collect during Black Friday is the fuel for your retention strategy in the next quarter. Maybe even for the whole year.

• Strengthen the relationship with loyalty Set up a post-purchase flow that not only says thank you, but also rewards. Give customers loyalty points for their purchase with Reloadify Loyalty. This way, you turn a transaction into a relationship.
• Improve the experience with personalisation Use the new customer data immediately. Show personalised product recommendations on your website and in your next emails with Reloadify Personalise. Show that you know what customers want, even before they search for it themselves.

By managing your preparation, execution and follow-up from a single central platform, you can transform a short-lived sales peak into the start of lasting customer relationships. This makes Black Friday a smart move for the long term. You started this checklist with sweat on your brow, but you'll finish with a strategic plan. That's the transformation Reloadify makes possible: from reactive stress to proactive growth. See how you can create peace of mind and increase your revenue with a single platform. Book your demo now.