Folks, Christmas is just nine weeks out, and BFCM is only five weeks away. But that’s not even the least of it.
Here are this week’s top stories.
1. Time Is Short … No, I Mean Literally
As we approach the great Black Friday / Cyber Monday spend-pocalypse, we eCommerce entrepreneurs need to remember — this is going to be the SHORTEST holiday buying season in the history of EVER. That’s because November 1st is on a Friday and Thanksgiving is ALWAYS on the 4th Thursday, so Black Friday is nearly the last day of the month AND Cyber Monday is actually in December.
So, no link or clever article to read. Just look at your calendars people. The last “recommended” shipping day for USPS retail ground delivery by Christmas is December 14th — just twelve days after Cyber Monday. This holiday season will be super-compressed. Last-minute shoppers will be many and they will be crazed. Heads up.
2. Online BFCM Sales Still Forecast Strong
That said, various surveys and forecasts are saying that online sales will still be strong this year — even with less time. Some folks worry about the added tariffs and trade wars and such, but most of those are slated to kick in after the holidays.
These guys have something to say about it.
3. ‘Cuz I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
I’ve got to admit that I do get frustrated by eCommerce websites that do not have a decent search function. If you only have a handful of products, it’s not necessary of course. But I want to search by name, type, color … whatever is meaningful and relevant to that product type. This guy on PracticalEcommerce agrees with me.
Read the article on getting more conversions with search.
If you are looking to add search to your Shopify store, there are a ton of apps. You can find them here.
4. You Can Take That to the Banksy
In previous editions of this newsletter I have occasionally pointed out some of the strangest things for sale on the web. And there’s been some really weird stuff. But this is weird stuff that is also crazy-art-scene-cool.
Depending on who you ask, “Banksy” is a street artist, graffiti social commentator, or criminal. But he is probably the hottest creative-type guy on the art scene today, even with his rather bleak dystopian outlook. And he just opened an online store for charity … and it’s on Shopify.
Visit the Gross Domestic Product store.
5. Awwwww … SNAP!
We are definitely keeping a close eye on this.
SnapChat has remained stubbornly resistant to the forces of the Dark Empire of Insta-Facebook-Gram. Ever since Evan Spiegel – majority owner and CEO of Snap! – sent Mark Zuckerberg home with a polite handshake instead of an acquisition deal, things between the two have been all corporate-testy. And now, Snapchat is introducing a new ad unit for eCommerce advertisers.
Check it out on SearchEngineJournal.
Whew! That is some intense info right there. Good stuff.
Happy Selling,
Zachary