Alright, folks, it's that time of the year again - Black Friday is here! It's like the Olympics of shopping, and everyone's excited about it. But wait, how do we ensure this Black Friday is a super-duper hit? Let's take a shortcut to success by learning from the pros! There are some awesome Shopify stores out there that have made jaw-dropping sales records. We're talking mind-blowing numbers! How did they do it? What applications do they use to ace their journey?

In this blog, we’ll dive into the stories of the top Shopify stores who have already assert their positions in the market. They've already claimed their thrones in the market, and we're going to unravel their secrets.

Let’s take a look back in 2023

In 2023, we saw a remarkable surge in sales over the Black Friday Cyber Monday weekend compared to 2022. The numbers soared from $6.3 billion to $7.5 billion, marking a substantial 19% increase in sales. What's more, this upward trend is projected to persist into 2024. It is important to note these upcoming trends of Black Friday, and get ready for the most anticipated in the year! 

Likewise in 2023, the top three product categories were led by Apparel & Accessories, followed by Health & Beauty, and Home & Garden.

Unravel the successful Shopify stores Secret Recipe

Category 1: Health & Beauty

1. Kyliecosmetics

Kyliecosmetics is a highly popular beauty brand founded by American entrepreneur and reality television star, Kylie Jenner. Launched in 2016, the brand gained instant recognition for its range of lip kits that featured high-quality matte liquid lipsticks and matching lip liners. Since then, Kyliecosmetics has expanded its product line to include a wide variety of makeup products loved by beauty enthusiasts worldwide. The application which supports them to gain popularity is Automizely.

Automizely Email Marketing, SMS: Igniting Sales with Dynamic Messaging!

Let's talk about Kylie Cosmetics and their secret weapon in the wild world of online sales. They've got this nifty little sidekick called Automizely, and boy, does it know how to make things happen! Automizely packs a punch with personalized emails, cart recovery that make it a suitable tool for Black Friday frenzy tactics. 

Alternatives: Postscript SMS Marketing, Mailchimp: Email Marketing, SMSGem  

2. Colourpop

A well-known name for every beauty lover - Colourpop! It is a popular beauty brand known for its affordable and quality makeup products. Colourpop has gained a cult following for their innovative formulas and trendy color selections, making them a go-to choice for makeup enthusiasts. What makes them so successful in the beauty industry? Let’s “scrutinize” their assistants.

2.1. Signifyd: Defend against fraud, protect your happiness

As a Shopify store owner, it's a thrill to see lots of orders pouring in, especially during the exciting Black Friday sale. But unfortunately, scammers are always on the lookout for an opportunity to strike. If we let our guard down for just a moment, we may come face-to-face with a bunch of chargebacks. Chargebacks happen when customers dispute a transaction and ask their bank for a refund, claiming that their credit card was used without their permission. It's not only a big loss in revenue, but dealing with this situation is far from enjoyable.

Aware of this situation, Colourpop uses Signifyd‑Chargeback Protection as a solution. The advanced fraud detection technology of Signifyd prevented fraudulent transactions in real-time, ensuring that only legitimate customers were placing orders. Instead of wasting time and energy on chargeback disputes, you could focus on providing excellent customer service and growing her business without worrying about the financial implications of fraudulent activity.

Alternative choice: NoFraud Fraud Protection, Chargeflow Dispute Chargebacks

2.2. Klevu - AI search & filter: Search less, search better

Imagine this scenario: As a Shopify store owner and a buyer, you visit a clothing store to purchase the trending Sweater Dresses for the upcoming autumn. After spending a considerable time exploring the website, you're unable to locate any of these dresses. Even after using the search feature, all you get are irrelevant or incomplete results. What's your next move? Most likely, you'll consider shopping elsewhere for a more satisfying experience.

Solving this problem is as easy as a click of install when you have the tool - Klevu. Not only efficiently increase on-site search revenue, it helps the customers get personalized product recommendations with the aid of AI (Artificial intelligence). Which helps to make Colourpop a “paradise” of shopping experience for any visitor.

Alternative choice: Boost AI Search & Discovery, SoBooster, Rapid AI Search Bar & Filters

Category 2: Home & Decor

2.1. Confetti Interiors

Confetti Interiors is a vibrant and contemporary home decor store that caters to individuals seeking unique and stylish furnishings. With its impeccable attention to detail and eclectic collection, Confetti Interiors offers a range of products, including statement furniture pieces, decorative accessories, and modern artwork. Having a loyal customer base is crucial for any business's success.

Yotpo: Loyalty & Rewards: The shortest path to customer loyalty

Crafting loyalty is not an easy task, and Yotpo Loyalty & Rewards is the buddy for Confetti Interiors in this field. It’s more than just rewards; it’s the glue that keeps customers coming back. This agile loyalty platform gives you the power to create, evolve, and understand loyalty, all without a single line of code.

Black Friday is more than just one day. Providing Early access, exclusive loyalty offers, limited-time rewards, etc. are the tactics used by Confetti Interiors to create a successful BFCM season. 

Alternatives: Smile: Loyalty & Rewards, Rise.ai, LoyaltyLion

Going against the norm… Why not?

Sales, sales everywhere - 50% off, 70% off, buy one get one free, and the list goes on! It's a common practice to lower prices in order to boost sales. We try to cut down our profit as much as possible! But, here's a thought: could there be a different approach that yields great results? 

In Part 2 of this discussion, we're going to delve into the distinctive strategies employed by other successful businesses. We'll explore these strategies in detail to help you elevate your own business. Let's get started on this insightful journey! 

Elevate Your Business: QR Codes Redefined! Discover 7 game-changing uses, create instantly with our free generator. Dive in now and lead the digital wave!

The digitalization wave has made us rely more on smartphones for everyday tasks like shopping, ordering, payments, and accessing information. As a result, businesses are finding creative ways to engage customers on these devices. This is where QR Codes come in, helping you reach customers where they spend a lot of time - on their phones.

This trend started in 2020, with QR Code usage doubling to 25% due to the pandemic's convenience and safety benefits. This trend has persisted beyond the pandemic as digitalization continues. According to eMarketer, scans are projected to increase from 83.4 million in 2022 to 99.5 million in 2025. Clearly, QR Codes are assuming a bigger and more important role in our dynamic digital world. 

Explore the article below for the top 7 ways businesses use QR Codes to inspire your strategies. Also, benefit from our free QR Code generator – a tool that lets you create QR Codes in seconds, at no cost.

Dive in and start reading now!

1. Connect with your website or social media sites

Social media and websites play a crucial role in any business. They help introduce your company and provide essential information. QR Codes act like convenient shortcuts, effortlessly connecting potential customers to your online presence. By scanning these codes with their mobile devices, users can instantly access your content without the hassle of typing in web addresses.

Strategically placing QR Codes opens up more engagement opportunities. Whether they're on menus, packaging, business cards, or posters, these codes encourage potential customers to scan and discover more. As businesses search for innovative ways to connect with customers, the captivating and easy-to-use nature of QR Codes becomes a smart choice for boosting customer interaction and getting the word out about your business.

>>>Read More: Successful Halloween 2024: Top Marketing Ideas That'll Treat Your Sales

2. Provide more information about your products and services

QR Codes offer a straightforward way for customers to quickly access more details about your products and services. No need for them to ask or search through. You'll often find QR Codes on product packaging, websites, or menus. Scanning one can lead customers to videos, pages with product info, reviews, usage guides, and promos like discounts or giveaways.

This quick & straightforward access to information provides excellent customer service while making info-sharing easier. Instead of hunting for tips online or visiting your service center, customers get quick insights as they open their purchases. This saves time for both sides, going beyond expectations. These insights help customers make informed purchase decisions and make the most out of your products.

Additionally, QR Codes enable you to track how often they're scanned and which products or services attract the most interest. This data aids in optimizing your products and services for an enhanced experience.

3. Gather feedback from customers

People value online reviews, but when the process isn't easy, they tend to skip it. That's where QR Codes come in. With their user-friendly appeal, QR Codes are commonly used to collect customer feedback. Users can just scan them with their smartphones, instantly accessing the review form on platforms like Google Forms. This eliminates the need for searching or manual typing.

4. Provide an easy method for customers to pay for goods or services

QR Codes aren't just for info – they're transforming payments too. Forget cash; now it's credit cards, bank transfers, and smartphones ruling the scene. By 2025, around 30% of smartphone users might be using QR Codes for payments.

When the QR Code is scanned, users are directed to a payment page where they can input their preferred payment details or employ mobile payment solutions such as Apple Pay or Google Pay to finalize the transaction. 

Speed and convenience take the lead. Not only does this mean a smoother customer journey, but it also translates into higher conversion rates. QR Codes are changing the payment game, and they're doing it with style.

>>> QR Codes in Marketing: 9 genius use cases to explore

5. Provide a contactless ordering process

Numerous restaurants are harnessing the power of QR Codes in a smart and efficient manner, revolutionizing how they manage menus and orders. Instead of using physical menus and the traditional process of ordering with staff assistance, they've introduced QR Code menus.

Customers can effortlessly scan the QR Code with their phone cameras to access the menu and place their own orders. The kitchen receives the order promptly, and once the food is ready, it's brought to the customers. Real-time updates enable customers to easily track their orders.

This smart contactless table-ordering solution with QR Code is reshaping the restaurant industry. It offers a safer, more convenient, and faster way to order. This innovative approach enhances the customer experience, streamlines the restaurant's workflow, and drives increased revenue.

6. Tell customers where your business is located

QR Codes offer an excellent solution for embedding or storing your location. With a simple scan, customers can easily locate your store on Google Maps. From there, they can effortlessly share it with friends or leave a store review within seconds.

7. Help customers connect with your WiFi effortlessly

QR Codes empower customers to effortlessly access your WiFi network. With just a swift scan, your customers gain instant entry to your WiFi, without the hassle of asking for or typing in passwords manually.

The bottom line

In conclusion, the widespread adoption of QR Codes has ushered in a new era of convenience and efficiency for businesses across various sectors. From seamless website access to frictionless payments, from interactive menus to instant Wi-Fi connectivity, QR Codes have undoubtedly transformed the way businesses engage with their audience.

There are many other ways where QR Codes can have a great impact. However, we believe that the top 7 mentioned above are the most immediate, beneficial, and simple use cases that you can easily apply to your business and witness their effects.

To facilitate easy implementation, we are excited to introduce a free QR Code generator tool powered by DingDoong. This tool helps you create your own QR Codes within seconds and without any charges. Supercharge your brand - harness QR Codes today!

Shopify product badges are a great way to highlight your products and drive sales. They can indicate a sale, new arrivals, limited-edition items, or anything else you want to draw attention to.

In this blog post, we'll take a quick look at what Shopify product badges are, the different types you can use, and how to add them to your store. We'll also discuss the benefits of using these product badges and give you some tips on using them effectively.

You might have heard of print-on-demand T-shirts, print-on-demand books, or print-on-demand mugs, but do you know that jewelry can also be a profitable print-on-demand product? If you want to sell this lucrative niche but don’t know where to start, this article is for you.

18 billion dollars! It’s the amount of money eCommerce brands lose every year because of Abandoned carts!

That’s right - billions of dollars in potential revenue lost, just simply because customers abandon their carts before completing their purchase. How to turn loss to opportunity? Well, SMS Marketing can do that for you!

Let’s find out how to integrate SMS Marketing into your abandoned cart recovery campaigns in this blog. SIMPLE SETUP, INSTANT BENEFITS.

What is an Abandoned cart?

Once upon an e-commerce realm, there were mischievous “Abandoned carts”. Customers would excitedly fill their online shopping carts but leave them stranded without buying. Abandoned carts can be a challenge for online retailers as they represent lost sales and revenue. However, with the right strategies, retailers can win back those customers and their precious sales.

What is Abandoned cart SMS

Like a friendly nudge, Abandoned cart SMS is a message sent to customers who left items in their online shopping cart without completing the purchase. To recover abandoned carts, SMS Marketing is an effective way for online retailers to remind customers about items they left in their cart and encourage them to complete their purchase. 

While there are many methods to recover your abandoned carts, such as sending reminders through email, WhatsApp, or any other communication channels, SMS marketing has proven its power with these numbers:

SMS Marketing: Your Abandoned Cart Recovery Hero!

Why can I say that certainly? Let the numbers do the talking.

• High Open Rate & Response Rate

With 98% open rate and 45% Open Rate, it means that customers are much more likely to see your abandoned cart recovery messages and take the action needed.

• High Conversion Rate

Studies show that SMS conversion rates can be as high as 45%. That means customers are more likely to complete their purchase when they receive the message. 

• Cost-Effectiveness

Without breaking the bank, SMS Marketing could be a highly budget-friendly solution. As it typically costs less than other marketing channels like email or paid advertising.

Get Started with Abandoned Cart SMS

In Shopify, the only method offered for recovering abandoned carts is through email. So, to start using SMS with the purpose of recovering abandoned carts, you need a third-party application. 

Step 1: Install an application from Shopify app store

Shopify has an App library where you can find hundreds of applications to connect your Shopify store. To use SMS Marketing for your store, Just head to the Shopify app store and select an SMS Marketing app that fits your needs. Some top contenders include SMSBump, SMSGem, Klaviyo, and Automizely SMS Marketing.

You can learn more about the pricing plans of each platform by checking this blog.

Step 2: Customize your SMS message templates. 

When creating a campaign, you can craft witty and attention-grabbing messages that will encourage customers to complete their purchase. The customer’s name, abandoned items, and the link for them to come back to their cart should be included in the messages. 

Tips: Insert a sense of urgency in your messages: limited stock, time-sensitive deal, etc.

The SMS Marketing platform like SMSGem already has a library of templates for you to choose from, which can save your time and effort.

Step 3: Set up automated SMS reminders.

Think of scheduling automatic SMS reminders like setting a personal alarm clock for your customers. 

You can choose when to send the reminders after cart abandonment, like 10 minutes or 12 hours later. Just like a good wingman, the reminders are there to nudge your customers and remind them about the items they left behind. But be careful not to hit ‘snooze’ too many times! It is important to bear in mind that the messages should not be sent too frequently. You don't want to bombard your customers with too many messages and risk annoying them. Once you've set up your automated SMS campaign, you're ready to go! 

Step 4: Analyze your SMS campaigns. 

Top students don't stop studying after finishing a test - they carefully review their answers and identify areas for improvement. The same goes for SMS marketing.

After launching an SMS campaign, it's important to analyze your performance data and identify areas for improvement. By tracking metrics, you can gain insights into how your campaigns are performing and where you can make adjustments. Then, you can optimize your messaging and drive better results in future campaigns. So, what are several numbers that you should take into account?

1. Revenue
2. Conversion rate
3. Click-through rate
4. Unsubscribe rate
5. Cart remaining today

The bottom line

In conclusion, abandoned carts can be a significant problem for eCommerce brands, but SMS Marketing can be a powerful solution for recovering lost sales and revenue. With high open and response rates, SMS Marketing allows you to reach customers where they're most likely to see your message - on their phones.

By following the steps outlined in this blog - installing a third-party SMS Marketing app, customizing your message templates, setting up automated SMS reminders, and analyzing your campaign data - you can launch effective abandoned cart recovery campaigns and drive success for your business.

So, don't let abandoned carts be a roadblock to your eCommerce success. Try SMS Marketing and turn those lost sales into opportunities for growth!