As Black Friday approaches there is so much that each eCommerce business needs to do to prepare for the rush. But with increased marketing, website structure improvements and so much more, it is easy to let certain things fall by the wayside. And all too often businesses let their eCommerce fulfilment take a back seat!
But, when it comes to the entire eCommerce journey the fulfilment side is one of, if not the most important part – especially when it comes to customer satisfaction and retention.
So if you’re looking to level up your fulfilment, and turn Black Friday first-time buyers into recurring customers you need to understand how to get prepped for the biggest weekend of the eCommerce calendar.
The five things you need to do to prepare for Black Friday!
1. Make sure you’ve got enough inventory!
Though seemingly obvious, when it comes to Black Friday you need to make sure that you’ve got enough inventory in storage to keep up with the increased demand. Keeping an eye on what you’ve got in stock and preparing for an influx of orders is the best way to make sure none of your customers are going to be disappointed by out-of-stock notices or orders which are cancelled after they have been placed.
One of the best ways to avoid this is to work with a 3PL that provides you 24/7 insight into your stock levels. Having this insight will allow you to better plan for your Black Friday sales! You can even connect your stock levels to your eCommerce platform to let your customers know how many you’ve got left avoiding disappointment.
2. Think about your Black Friday packaging.
Not just another sale, Black Friday is long awaited by consumers year in, year out. So when it comes to their purchases they not only expect it to be available and on time – but they also expect something a little special when it comes to the packaging too.
Whether that’s monochromatic black packaging to match the theme, or custom inserts with exclusive QR codes for access to further discount codes, Christmas parties and so much more.
At SCEND we love creating custom inserts and encourage all our clients to personalise their packaging to their customer base. Ask a member of our team about personalised packaging.
3. Choosing the right courier for the job.
When it comes to delivering the goods this Black Friday you need to make sure that you’re working with the right courier for the job. Ensuring that your customers get their products on time and in one piece is essential for you, your business, and your customers. Many people rely on the Black Friday sales to purchase Christmas gifts for friends and family and with often just a month to go, it is essential that these products arrive swiftly and without fault.
We have a full blog piece all about how you can choose the right courier for the job. But if you’re still unsure or have any questions SCEND are here to help. Your 3PL will help you to choose the right courier for your budget and your needs helping to ensure you don’t make any costly mistakes when it comes to connecting your products to your customers.
4. Elevating your returns management solution.
With any mass sale, you’re going to have an influx of returns. But returns don’t have to be a bad thing! Obviously, in an ideal world, your customers would receive your products, love them, and come back time and time again. But we know that isn’t always the case. There are a myriad of reasons why products are returned and as a business having a solid returns management process in place could be the difference between that customer returning your product and then running for the hills, or coming back to purchase again after a pleasant returns experience.
At SCEND we take the headache out of the returns process, so no matter what the reason for the return, it can be sorted, refunded, and re-sold in record time.
5. Working with a reputable 3PL.
We understand just how intense the Black Friday rush can be, and taking on this challenge isn’t always the best idea when you’re going at it alone. Using a reputable 3PL can help to improve customer satisfaction, increase revenue, reduce return rates and ease the stress of the Black Friday season!
At SCEND we’re experts in eCommerce fulfilment, with over 10 years’ in the industry we’ve navigated our way through some of the most intense sales periods and can say we don’t miss a trick. Working with a 3PL like SCEND during the Black Friday rush is the best way to ensure that your customers are getting the post-purchase experience that they deserve.
It's never too late!
With Black Friday just around the corner SCEND are no longer taking on new businesses for Black Friday (Christmas onboarding is still available until the 3rd of December) BUT that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. It’s never too early to start preparing for next Black Friday, in fact you’re in the best position.
When the mad rush has settled create a list of everything that could have gone better this year and use that as your starting point for next year! Make a list of questions and requests and take charge of your e-fulfilment. Any 3PL should be happy to create a solution which not only addresses but offers a solution to any concerns you’ve got!
