Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is a marketing holiday that describes the first Monday that falls straight after the Thanksgiving holiday. It’s a promotional opportunity that encourages retailers to sell more at lower prices, which, in turn, prompts consumers to buy more.

The phrase Cyber Monday was first used back in 2005 by the National Retail Federation. The idea was to increase online sales at a time when a lot of people still didn’t have access to high-speed internet.

Today, internet access is much improved. A lot more people have access to the web even when on the go, be it on a mobile device, a tablet, or a laptop. These days, it’s easier and faster for shoppers to buy. In fact, if you’re skeptical about it, you should note that in 2017 and 2018, Cyber Monday was the biggest shopping day in the entire year!

That’s why you and your business should get on board.

Some stores even start Cyber Monday the day before. For example, more prominent outlets like Walmart and Amazon host a “cyber week.” Usually, this is where the sale starts on Thanksgiving Day itself. So, the rules and parameters of Cyber Monday, such as they are, are pretty flexible.

So why do consumers respond to Cyber Monday so well?

Adobe Digital Insights said that shoppers like the 24-hour convenience of being able to shop on Cyber Monday. They also prefer avoiding the crowds that occur on Black Friday.

Thinking of jumping on the bandwagon? Great. Here are a few things to consider:

Almost all online retailers offer discounted items on Cyber Monday, and many offer vouchers or money off coupons or a time-limited discount. BUT, not so many brands offer free gifts when a customer buys something. Could you be different and offer a freebie?

Many online stores also offer free shipping, or free shipping if a customer spends a minimum amount. It’s fair to say this always goes down well with shoppers. If this is something you don’t usually offer, perhaps you could make an exception for Cyber Monday?

If you’re not an online business, there’s no reason why you can’t join in. Here are a few things you can do to join the party:

• Don’t Overcomplicate Things: If you have a lot to sell, try and grab 5 to 8 products you want to discount and put them on your homepage, complete with the slashed prices and great product photos.
• Offer Discounts, Loyalty Offers, and/or Gifts: Not only is this a great way to reward existing customers, but it’s also an effective way of attracting new customers. If a consumer has two sites offering the same or similar product, who do you think they’ll choose? Needless to say, it’ll be the brand offering a little bit more.
• Make Sure Your Website Works: This sounds obvious, but it’s an essential part of making sales. Keep in mind that you might get more traffic than normal, so make sure your website won’t crash.