It’s the beginning of October, and we are one step closer to Black Friday (the end of November). But don’t panic, take a breath: you still have plenty of time to prepare before the big weekend hits. The truth is: most stores start ramping up their BFCM prep between late September and mid-October – which means this is your window to catch up smartly.
To help you get organized without the chaos, the Omni Themes team created this Shopify BFCM checklist. It’s designed for real-world timing – like right now. Even if you skipped the early planning or setup phases, you can fast-track into October’s high-impact actions: crafting killer marketing strategies, optimizing conversions, and locking in D-Day readiness. This isn’t about starting from scratch; it’s about prioritizing what drives revenue in the final stretch.
In this updated post, we’ll highlight how to hit the ground running today. For the full, tickable checklists, timelines, and pro tips (plus our free store setup offer), download the ebook below. Let’s turn October into your launchpad for BFCM domination!
Download the Full Shopify BFCM Checklist Ebook Now (Free for a limited time – get actionable steps tailored to where you are right now)
[/vc_column_text]Why Jump on the Shopify BFCM Checklist Now?
Last year, Shopify stores made $11.5 billion in global sales during BFCM – with over 67,000 merchants hitting their all-time records, that level of success doesn’t come from last-minute discounts or panic uploads. It comes from structure – a plan, a checklist, and the right theme setup. BFCM sales ignite two weeks early and stretch through Cyber Monday (December 1), giving you a solid window to build hype and conversions.
Our Shopify BFCM checklist breaks it into five phases, but here’s the adapted roadmap for mid-season merchants:
- Catch-Up on Planning & Setup (Quick Wins from Past Phases)
- Chapter 3: Marketing Strategies (October—Your Prime Time)
- Chapter 4: Optimize Conversion & Retention (October—Lock in Sales)
- Chapter 5: Ready for D-Day (Mid-November—Final Polish)
Your goal this October is simple:
🎯 Stabilize your store, streamline your offers, and get your campaigns ready.
Quick Catch-Up: Nail Planning & Setup Basics in a Weekend
Missed September? No problem – condense these into high-speed audits. Utilize Shopify’s built-in tools to quickly establish the foundational elements.
Teaser checklist highlights:
- SMART Goals on the Fly: Quick-scan competitors via Google Trends, forecast inventory with Shopify Reports (peak frenzy? Around 12:01 PM EST on Black Friday), and tweak budgets for October spends.
- Store Setup Sprint: If new to Shopify, spin up basics (domain, products, collections) in hours. For existing stores, audit mobile speed with PageSpeed Insights and swap in a BFCM-ready theme.
- Compliance Fast-Track: Add SSL, GDPR banners, and policy docs – essential for trust during surges.
🚀 Shortcut: Grab our Eurus Theme for blazing-fast performance (trusted by 5,000+ merchants) and snag the free store setup & design consulting service from the Omni Themes team – so you can go from “not ready” to “BFCM-ready” in days, not weeks.
Phase 3: Marketing Strategies – October’s Hype Machine
You’re in the sweet spot – October is promo central. The word “SALE” is your superpower; build urgency without overhauling everything and sacrificing your profit margin.
Key October actions from the checklist:
- Craft Offers That Convert: Pick hero products for sitewide % off, BOGOs, or tiered deals. Add countdown timers and crystal-clear savings displays to spark FOMO.
- Promotion priorities:
- Must-do now: Launch email teasers and VIP access, set up on-site banners with copyable codes, and fire up retargeting ads for cart abandoners.
- Scale if ready: Roll out SMS nudges, a dedicated BFCM landing page, and loyalty perks for repeat buyers.
- Bonus hype: Team up with micro-influencers, refresh SEO gift guides, or go live on TikTok/Instagram.
Do: Bundle slow-movers with bestsellers and test pre-launch. Don’t: Discount blindly – based on margins. With seven weeks left, these tactics can flood your store with qualified traffic.
>> Keep learning: How to run BFCM discounts based on psychology facts.
Phase 4: Optimize Conversion & Retention – Turn October Traffic into November Cash
Traffic peaks in October, but traffic won’t pay the bills unless your site converts.. A 1% lift here would be massive for BFCM scale – especially with mobile shoppers in mind.
Essential tweaks to implement this month:
- Conversion quick-fixes: Use tools such as Clarity or Hotjar to spot journey bottlenecks, define trust signals (reviews, secure icons), and streamline checkout with Shop Pay, Apple Pay, and BNPL. Add upsells and “frequently bought together” bundles.
- Retention builders: Extend returns, invite to loyalty programs, and send personalized follow-ups. Train support for empathy-driven responses.
- Benchmark alert: Tailor to your niche – e.g., aim above 3.1% for finance or 2.1% for B2C.
Focus on 1-2 wins: fewer checkout fields, chatbot FAQs, and clearer CTAs. October’s the perfect testing ground before the rush.
Phase 5: Ready for D-Day – Gear Up for November Launch
With planning in motion, shift to lockdown mode around October 20. This ensures you’re surge-proof.
Last-minute must-dos (adapt for your timeline):
- Run a dummy checkout – test codes, discounts, payment options, run end-to-end dummy buys, set inventory alerts, and sync with shipping partners.
- Support & marketing tune-up: Prep FAQ templates, schedule emails/ads, and test links.
- Crisis Prep: Line up Shopify support contacts and backup plans for crashes or stock issues, and back up your store and theme files.
After launching the very last steps of this Shopify BFCM checklist, by Halloween, you’ll be primed and have a battle-ready store.
Seize October: Make BFCM 2025 Your Breakthrough with OmniThemes
October 10 isn’t too late – it’s your acceleration point. This Shopify BFCM checklist teaser shows how to pivot fast, but the full ebook dives deeper with checklists for every scenario. Download now and reclaim your edge.
Grab Your Free Ebook + Free Store Setup Offer
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