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Introduction
The last quarter of the year is always the busiest period for eCommerce. Events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday(often shortened to BFCM) open the shopping season, followed by weeks of holiday demand all the way through New Year’s. For Shopify merchants, this represents an incredible opportunity but also a real stress test: sudden traffic spikes, demanding customers, and the need for flawless execution across every touchpoint.
In this article, we’ll go through 10 practical actions every Shopify merchant should take to make sure their store is ready to capture sales, avoid costly errors, and deliver a smooth customer experience. Each action is explained clearly, so you can apply it without confusion or technical headaches.
1. Run a complete technical audit
Before you launch promotions, make sure your store can handle the pressure. Test page speed, mobile responsiveness, and your checkout process. Verify that all payment methods, shipping calculators, and discount codes work smoothly. Even a small bug in this stage can lead to hundreds of abandoned carts when traffic peaks.
2. Optimize speed and performance
When thousands of visitors hit your site simultaneously, speed is everything. Use compressed image formats like WebP, remove unnecessary scripts, and deliver content faster to shoppers worldwide. A fast site builds trust and boosts conversion rates.
3. Simplify the checkout process
Your checkout is the final hurdle before a sale. Keep it short and simple. Enable accelerated payments like Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and Google Pay so customers can buy with one click. Test all discount applications and shipping rules to make sure nothing breaks during the rush.
