What are you doing for Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday could be one of the most important days of the year for your business financially. Last year, there were over 2 billion (yes, that’s BILLION) dollars of online sales generated on the Monday following Thanksgiving.

If you want a piece of that action, you’ll need a strategy in place well before hand.

When it comes to Cyber Monday, there are several big draws for consumers: the convenience of shopping many different stores without leaving home or the office; the ability to easily comparison shop and check out reviews; and the extra value or deals that aren't available year-round.

So your first step when making your Cyber Monday plan is to decide what great deals you can offer your customers to get them to step through your virtual door, and what extras you can provide that will keep them coming back.

Now here are some ideas and tips to get your Cyber Monday plan underway:

• Online presence. This promotion is all about making online sales, so you better have everything in working order. Test your server for the increase in load, and make sure your shopping cart and all its payment functions are working. Freshen up your content—make it easy to navigate. Do you need to make it easier for the customers, with sections designated “gifts for him,” “stocking stuffers,” etc.?
• Social media. Are you represented in more than one social media platform? People love to share bargains they've found with their friends and family, so be sure to post details about your Cyber Monday event, along with photos of your new products. Hold contests, like the ‘Pin It to Win It on Pinterest’ event, to build your audience.
• Try some new ideas.
  • If you offer a service, or are looking for a new customer base, try using Groupon or Amazon Local for your Cyber Monday deals.
  • Appeal to the customers who like to self-gift with buy-one-get-one specials. Use email for special coupons.
  • Create as much urgency as you can with one-day-only offers, even if it's just free shipping. This would make a great Infusionsoft campaign!
  • Be ready to cross-promote with any Black Friday deals you may have had, such as Cyber Monday batteries for Black Friday toys, for example.
  • Include gift card offers in all email promotions. Don't overlook bundling—getting five products for the price of three is a sweet deal for you and the customer both. 

Most importantly, don't forget to start promoting your Cyber Monday event early in email campaigns and social media. If there's going to be a spending frenzy on November 30th, you want to be profiting by it!