BFCM 2025 Shopify Checklist and Tips: 10 Must-Do Steps Before the Sale Season

Every year, when BFCM 2025 rolls around, I get excited.

Why?

Because BFCM isn’t just another weekend, it’s the biggest opportunity of the year for Shopify sellers. I’ve seen firsthand how the right preparation can turn a good Q4 into a record-breaking one.

On the flip side, I’ve also seen Shopify merchants scramble at the last minute, miss important steps, and leave thousands of dollars on the table.

That’s why I put together this BFCM Shopify checklist 2025 to help you avoid those mistakes.

Think of it as your Black Friday Cyber Monday checklist for a Shopify success plan. Whether you’re running your very first BFCM or you’ve been through it a dozen times, these Shopify BFCM must-do steps will make sure your Shopify store is fast, optimized, and ready to convert every visitor into a paying (and returning) customer.

By the time you finish, you’ll feel confident and fully equipped for the holiday rush.

Planning ahead is the only way to win during BFCM. For a deeper dive, check out our Ultimate BFCM 2025 Guide & Tips for Shopify Stores.

Step 1: Audit Your Shopify Store Performance

Imagine a line of eager shoppers waiting outside your Shopify store on Black Friday, now picture the doors opening, but the lights flicker, the shelves are half-empty, and the cash register freezes.

That’s exactly what happens when you skip Shopify store optimization for BFCM 2025.

Start with Shopify store website speed optimization for Shopify BFCM. Even a two-second delay can scare shoppers away. Next, double-check Shopify mobile optimization for holiday sales because most of your BFCM traffic will come from phones.

Finally, walk through your Shopify store like a customer, fix broken links, test navigation, and make sure the journey from homepage to checkout feels effortless.

Key Shopify Store Performance Metrics to Track

A fast, flawless Shopify store builds instant trust, and that’s the first win in your Shopify BFCM must-do steps.

Step 2: Optimize Product Pages for Conversions

I have worked with hundreds of Shopify sellers, and if there’s one thing I have learned, it’s this: product pages make or break BFCM 2025 sales.

You can have all the traffic in the world, but if your pages don’t convince, shoppers won’t convert.

That’s why I always include product page fixes high on my Shopify BFCM must-do steps.

When I talk about BFCM Shopify Conversion Tips, here’s what I mean:

• Clear Descriptions: Keep them short, benefit-driven, and easy to scan.
• Stunning Visuals: High-quality images, lifestyle shots, and even short demo videos can boost engagement.
• Urgency Triggers: Countdown timers or “only 5 left” alerts create FOMO and push faster decisions.
• Social Proof: Highlight product reviews, ratings, and customer photos—nothing builds trust faster.
• SEO Boost: Add, for example, “Shopify holiday sale checklist” keywords naturally in titles, descriptions, and meta tags.
• Mobile-Friendly Layout: Buttons, images, and copy should look perfect on every screen.

From my experience, even small tweaks, like moving reviews above the fold, can dramatically lift conversions during BFCM’s busiest hours.

Want more ideas on personalization and automation?

Our BFCM 2025 Strategy Guide: Automations, Offers, and Customer Retention Tips breaks it down in detail.

Step 3: Streamline Checkout & Payment Gateways

I’ve seen it happen too many times: shoppers are excited, carts are full, and then they hit a messy checkout. Within seconds, they’re gone.

During BFCM 2025, you can’t afford that. That’s why I always stress: optimize checkout for BFCM Shopify to keep the momentum going and stop abandoned carts before they happen.

Here’s what I recommend:

• One-Click Checkout: Enable Shop Pay or one-click checkout so buyers don’t think twice.

• Multiple Payment Options: Credit cards, PayPal, BNPL, let shoppers pay their way.

• Trust Builders: Display security badges, money-back guarantees, and clear refund policies.

• Fewer Steps: Cut down extra fields and distractions; simplicity converts faster.

When you follow this step in your Black Friday Cyber Monday checklist for Shopify, you’re not just making checkout faster, you’re building shopper confidence. And in the chaos of BFCM, confidence equals conversions.

Step 4: Set Up a Loyalty Rewards Program

Holiday traffic is amazing, but what excites me more is keeping those shoppers around long after BFCM ends.

That’s why a loyalty program is one of the smartest moves in your Shopify holiday sale checklist. It turns one-time buyers into repeat customers who stick with your brand year-round.

Here’s how I recommend doing it:

• Bonus Points: Double or triple points for purchases made during BFCM 2025.
• VIP Tiers: Reward frequent buyers with early access to exclusive sales and perks.
• Email & SMS Integration: Send reminders about points, rewards, and expiring offers.

Loyalty isn’t just about discounts; it’s about building long-term relationships. It extends the value of your BFCM Shopify marketing campaigns and keeps customers coming back.

Loyalty Rewards Ideas for BFCM 2025:

Pro Tip: You can use the best Shopify loyalty and rewards apps to set up, manage, and automate your program, making it effortless to run during the busy holiday rush.

Step 5: Build High-Converting Shopify BFCM Emails & SMS Campaigns

From my experience, nothing drives urgency during BFCM like the right message at the right time.

Your Shopify BFCM email campaigns should focus on cutting through the festive noise, building anticipation, and driving immediate clicks from your Shopify store subscribers.

Here’s what works best for high-performing Shopify BFCM emails:

• Early-Bird Announcements: Give your subscribers VIP access before the rush begins.
• Abandoned Cart Flows: Automate reminders with urgency triggers like “Only a few hours left to claim your deal!”
• Personalized Discounts: Base offers on past purchases; generic blasts won’t stand out.
• Bold CTAs & Festive Design: Make your “Shop Now” button and seasonal branding hard to ignore.

When you layer these tactics with a Shopify retargeting strategy for BFCM 2025, you don’t just remind shoppers, you re-engage them, build trust, and push them to complete the purchase.

And to make execution smooth, you can use the best Shopify email marketing apps to set up, automate, and scale these campaigns.

Pro Tip: SMS often outperforms email in response time, so use both together for maximum impact.

Building a strong list is just as important as sending campaigns. Here are some tried-and-tested BFCM email list-building strategies to grow your audience before the rush.

Step 6: Use Affiliate & Influencer Marketing to Strengthen Your Shopify BFCM Marketing

I have seen how powerful partnerships can be during BFCM. Affiliates and influencers not only expand your reach, they amplify your Shopify BFCM marketing impact by adding credibility and authentic social proof to your offers.

That’s why I always recommend including affiliate and influencer collaborations in your Shopify BFCM marketing strategy checklist.

Here’s what works:

• Recruit Affiliates Early: Give them referral links and ready-to-use creatives ahead of the sale.
• Higher Commissions: Motivate partners by offering boosted payouts during BFCM.
• Influencer Collabs: Work with creators who can authentically showcase your products and even host live sale events.

When combined with a strong Shopify BFCM marketing and retargeting strategy in the BFCM campaign, these partnerships keep your store in front of motivated buyers.

Pro Tip: Managing affiliates manually can get messy. Use the best Shopify affiliate marketing apps to track referrals, automate payouts, and scale your program with ease.

Step 7: Create Membership & VIP Exclusive Offers

During BFCM, one strategy I have seen work wonders is building exclusivity through memberships.

With the Best Recurring Memberships Apps, it’s easier than ever to set up recurring memberships that give shoppers ongoing value while securing predictable revenue for your store.

Here’s how I recommend using memberships during BFCM:

• VIP Sales Events: Give subscribers first access to your best deals.
• Exclusive Perks: Bundle free shipping, bonus points, or unique discounts for members only.
• Tiered Benefits: Reward your most loyal shoppers with premium perks.

This isn’t just about boosting short-term BFCM sales; it’s about long-term retention.

A well-structured membership program keeps shoppers engaged even after the holiday season.

If you’re not sure where to start, read my guide on What is the Shopify Membership Program and How It Works for Shopify Stores to understand the basics.

Step 8: Enhance Customer Support & Chatbots

From what I have seen, many Shopify merchants pour energy into discounts and ads but forget one crucial piece: support. During Shopify sale season preparation, your inbox and live chat will explode with questions, from “Where’s my order?” to “Does this come in another size?”

If you can’t answer quickly, shoppers will click away and buy somewhere else.

Here’s how to prepare for BFCM 2025:

• AI-Powered Chatbots: Set up chatbots to handle FAQs, order tracking, and product info 24/7.
• Train Your Team: Prep support staff for peak queries and give them ready-to-use scripts.
• Clear Policies: Make return, exchange, and refund terms easy to find and simple to understand.
• Multi-Channel Support: Offer help via email, chat, and even SMS for maximum accessibility.

I call this one of the hidden gems of BFCM Shopify conversion tips.

Pro Tip: Even something as simple as adding a “Track My Order” button to your chatbot can cut down on 50% of repetitive support tickets.

If you’re planning big for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, our Shopify BFCM Guide and proven strategies 2025 has everything you need.

Step 9: Plan Inventory & Fulfillment Ahead

Nothing hurts more during BFCM than selling out too soon, or worse, not being able to deliver on time.

I have seen it happen, and it always costs merchants sales and trust. That’s why I always stress the importance of Shopify inventory planning for BFCM well before the rush begins.

Here’s how I recommend staying ahead:

• Forecast Demand: Use last year’s data and current trends to stock up on bestsellers.
• Lock in Suppliers Early: Confirm orders months in advance so you’re not left scrambling.
• Backup Carriers: Have alternate shipping providers ready in case your primary one faces delays.
• Fulfillment Strategy: Map out your Shopify shipping strategy BFCM ahead of time, including cut-off dates for guaranteed delivery.

Getting this right isn’t just about moving products; it’s about keeping promises. A proactive approach ensures customers get what they ordered, when they expect it, which means fewer complaints and stronger trust in your brand.

Step 10: Track, Test, and Analyze Campaigns

One thing I always remind Shopify merchants is this: if you don’t measure, you can’t improve. BFCM isn’t just about running campaigns; it’s about learning what works and what doesn’t.

That’s why tracking and testing should be a non-negotiable part of your BFCM Shopify checklist 2025.

Here’s what I recommend:

• Use Shopify Analytics BFCM Readiness: Monitor traffic, conversions, and revenue in real time to catch trends early.
• Test, Don’t Guess: Experiment with different subject lines, discount formats, and product bundles to see what clicks with your audience.
• Review Post-BFCM: Once the dust settles, dig into the data. Which channels brought the most ROI? Which campaigns underperformed?

By making these data-driven adjustments, you’re not just fixing short-term gaps; you’re building a stronger foundation for next year’s Shopify store optimization BFCM.

If you are building your own playbook, don’t miss our Ultimate BFCM 2025 Guide & Tips for Shopify Stores for inspiration.

Bonus Step: Boost Your BFCM Strategy with AiTrillion: The Best Shopify BFCM App

Before the BFCM rush begins, supercharge your store with AiTrillion, one of the top-rated Shopify BFCM apps built to automate, personalize, and scale your holiday campaigns. AiTrillion

AiTrillion combines Shopify BFCM email marketing, loyalty rewards, affiliate management, and membership programs, all in one integrated platform. Its AI-powered automation ensures your Shopify store delivers personalized offers, smart product recommendations, and festive emails that convert.

With AiTrillion, you can:

• Automate your Shopify BFCM email and SMS campaigns in minutes.
• Reward loyal shoppers with exclusive BFCM loyalty points.
• Track performance across all campaigns in one dashboard.

Pro Tip: AiTrillion is the all-in-one Shopify BFCM app you need to increase sales, retention, and customer engagement during Black Friday Cyber Monday 2025.

Top Shopify BFCM Tips to Maximize Conversions

Before you wrap up your strategy, use these proven Shopify BFCM tips to get more clicks, carts, and conversions this holiday season:

1. Start Campaigns Early: Don’t wait until Black Friday. Launch teaser emails and early-bird deals to warm up your audience.
2. Use Countdown Timers: Add urgency across banners and Shopify BFCM emails to boost impulse purchases.
3. Offer Tiered Discounts: Reward bigger carts with higher discounts, a proven Shopify BFCM marketing technique.
4. Test Everything: From email subject lines to CTAs, A/B testing ensures your Shopify BFCM sales perform at their best.
5. Segment Lists: Send personalized offers to loyal customers and new subscribers separately.

Automate these Shopify BFCM tips inside AiTrillion, schedule campaigns, segment customers, and track performance in one dashboard.

Creative Shopify BFCM Ideas to Stand Out in 2025

Here are some of my favorite Shopify BFCM ideas that can help your brand connect, convert, and stand out during the busiest shopping weekend of the year:

These Shopify BFCM ideas help you go beyond traditional discounts, turning your sale into an experience that customers remember and return for.

Top BFCM Tips from Shopify Founders & App Creators – 2025 Edition

Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) 2025 is the biggest opportunity of the year for Shopify merchants, but only those who prepare early will win. To help you maximize your store’s revenue, conversions, and performance, we reached out to leading experts from across the Shopify ecosystem – agency founders, app creators, and tech leads to bring you real, actionable advice.
Whether you’re running a DTC brand or building stores for others, these insights will give you a proven edge this holiday season.

• Abhishek Porwal – Founder, EVM (Shopify Design & Development Agency)
  Don’t just push discounts focus on how your brand looks and feels. BFCM is the perfect time to invest in design that builds trust fast. Optimize banners, homepage layouts, and collection pages for fast decision-making.
  Tip: Use dynamic announcement bars and sticky offers for better visibility.
  
• Anurag Pandey – Founder & CEO, ControlF5 (Award-Winning Shopify Agency)
  Think mobile-first, always. More than 70% of BFCM traffic is mobile. Ensure lightning-fast load times, distraction-free product pages, and 1-click checkout setups. Add urgency elements like countdowns and inventory bars to increase conversions.
  Pro Move: Pre-load key assets and use Shopify metafields for advanced custom sections.
• Gunjan Patel – Founder, Flits (Loyalty, Rewards & Account Management App)
  Reward loyalty, not just first-time shoppers. BFCM is a great time to engage your existing customers with point boosters, VIP-only discounts, or referral rewards. Make them feel exclusive and they’ll convert faster.
  Quick Win: Enable tiered loyalty levels that unlock bigger BFCM perks.
• Manoj Dhanotiya – Founder, Micromitti
  BFCM traffic invites bots, fraud, and fake orders. Strengthen your security layers. Use CAPTCHA, fraud detection tools, and real-time backups. And yes, always monitor server performance in real-time.

Conclusion: Make Your Shopify BFCM Sales 2025 Unforgettable

For me, Shopify BFCM sales has never been just about discounts; it’s about creating experiences that keep customers coming back long after the sale ends. Whether you are driving engagement with a Shopify email marketing program or extending your reach with a Shopify affiliate marketing program, the real win is in building trust and loyalty that outlasts the holiday rush.

This year, don’t just prepare for Shopify BFCM Sales 2025, own them.

Book a demo with our experts today, and let’s craft a strategy that makes your Shopify store impossible to ignore.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Question: How to prepare your Shopify store for Black Friday?

Answer: Focus on Shopify store optimization, BFCM, speed, mobile, and checkout flow. Then plan campaigns, loyalty rewards, and retargeting as part of your Shopify holiday sale checklist.

Question: How do you attract customers on Black Friday?

Answer: Use BFCM Shopify conversion tips like countdown timers, loyalty offers, and VIP deals. Support them with email marketing and strong social promos.

Question: What is the Black Friday Cyber Monday strategy?

Answer: A solid Black Friday Cyber Monday checklist Shopify strategy means optimized Shopify store performance, irresistible offers, and smooth fulfillment backed by affiliate marketing and smart shipping.

Question: What’s the best way to handle Shopify inventory planning for BFCM?

Answer: Plan Shopify inventory planning BFCM early, forecast demand, confirm suppliers, and secure backup carriers while mapping a proactive Shopify shipping strategy BFCM.