I. Introduction
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest shopping days of the year across the world. Many people eagerly wait for these days to get discounts and deals. These events present a golden opportunity to boost their sales and revenue for businesses.
It is essential to have a well-planned SEO and SEM strategy in place to make the most of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. If you run a business, whether big or small, you should be prepared and implement effective SEO and SEM strategies to make your Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales in the Philippines successful.
II. Understanding Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States and marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season. It is a day when retailers offer substantial discounts and deals to attract customers. This holiday shopping season spread out globally, including in the Philippines, where it’s become a significant shopping event.
Cyber Monday, on the other hand, follows Black Friday and focuses on online shopping. It was introduced to encourage people to shop online after the Thanksgiving weekend. In the Philippines, both days are becoming more popular, with many shops offering great deals online.
To do well during these biggest shopping sale days, you need to have a strong online presence and use the right marketing strategies.
III. SEO Strategies for Black Friday & Cyber Monday
1. Keyword Research
Keyword research is like finding the right words to talk about your products or deals. You need to know what words people use when searching for things online to get ready for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Think about words like “Black Friday discounts in the Philippines” or “Cyber Monday sales.” Also, use longer phrases to talk about the specific things you are selling. It will help people find your website when they search online.
Consider using keyword research tools to ease the process of searching for the right keywords that you can use for Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, such as:
2. On-Page Optimization
Once you have the right words, you need to use them correctly on your website. Optimizing your website’s on-page elements is crucial for SEO success during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Your product pages, landing pages, and blog posts should be well-optimized for the target keywords.
Use your keywords in the titles, descriptions, headings, and image alt text. Make sure to use these words when you talk about your products. Create unique and compelling product descriptions that highlight the benefits and features of your products.
Furthermore, high-quality pictures and videos also help people understand what you are selling. Guarantee your website loads quickly and looks great on phones, computers, and other devices.
Make your content engaging and informative, providing valuable information about the products or services you are offering during the e-commerce sale. By improving the on-page elements of your website, you increase its chances of ranking higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).
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3. Mobile Optimization
Statista forecasted that there will be 80.37 million smartphone users in the Philippines this 2023, expecting to grow further in the coming years. This figure alone explains that mobile optimization is no longer optional—it is a necessity.
Around 65% of Filipinos use this device to shop, watch videos and connect with family and friends on social media, says Think With Google. This significant portion of online shoppers in the Philippines use mobile devices to browse and make purchases. Therefore, ensure that your website is mobile-friendly and responsive.
ALSO READ: 12 Tips For Making Your Business’s Website Mobile-Friendly
An e-commerce website that loads quickly on phones is also better because people don’t like waiting. Google also prefers websites that work well on mobile, so this will help you show up higher in search results.
4. Local SEO
Local SEO is especially important for businesses with physical stores or those targeting a local audience during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Many shoppers prefer to shop at nearby stores, and they often use search engines to find local deals.
To enhance your local SEO efforts, create and optimize your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing with accurate information about your store location, hours of operation, and contact details. Ask your customers to leave reviews, because good reviews can make you more visible online. Use location-based words on your website to show that you’re close to local shoppers.
The Tannery Manila did a great job in adding the store location beside their business’s name because it helps the user find the exact address where they should go.
READ MORE: Local SEO Guide to Improve Your Local Search Rankings
For specific directions, the user can click the “Direction” button on the GBP listing to get redirected to Google Map, where they can type their location and desired destination.
5. User Experience (UX)
User experience is all about how easy it is for people to use your website. If your website is slow, has broken links, or is confusing to use, people will leave, and you might lose sales.
Check your website for any technical problems and fix them quickly. Make sure your website can handle lots of people visiting it at the same time. Make it simple for people to buy from you, with easy payment options and a guest checkout if possible.
IV. SEM Strategies for Black Friday & Cyber Monday
1. Paid Advertising
Paid advertising means paying to show your ads to people online. It’s a fast way to get your message in front of a lot of people, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals.
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Ad Extensions
Ad extensions are like extra information you can add to your ads to make them more helpful and attractive. You can use ad extensions to show links to different parts of your website or highlight important features. They make your ads stand out and can get more people to click on them.
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Social Media Advertising
Using social media to advertise your Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals is a great idea. You can target specific groups of people based on their interests and where they live. Create eye-catching ads that show your products and deals. Use different types of ads like pictures and videos to get people interested.
2. Remarketing
Remarketing means showing your ads to people who have already visited your website but didn’t buy anything. It’s like reminding them about your deals and products.
Set up remarketing ads on platforms like Google Ads and Facebook. Make sure your ads speak to the interests of the people who visited your site before. This can help bring them back to your website and make a purchase.
Take a look at this great example from H&M. They showed these ads on social media after someone had visited their website but didn’t buy anything. In response, H&M offered a special discount that’s currently up for grabs.
DISCOVER: Optimizing Your Website for Holiday Traffic: A Guide for Filipino Businesses
3. Budget Allocation
It’s important to plan how much money you want to spend on advertising during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. These days can be very competitive, with lots of businesses advertising. Start by deciding how much money you have for advertising, and then divide it up for each day. Focus on spending more money on the days when most people are shopping and looking for deals.
4. Ad Scheduling
Ad scheduling allows you to control when your ads are displayed to users. During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s crucial to schedule your ads to align with your target audience’s behavior. Consider running ads during peak shopping hours when users are actively searching for deals and making purchases.
Use data from previous campaigns and industry trends to determine the optimal times to display your ads. You can set up ad schedules within advertising platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads to ensure your ads are visible when it matters most.
V. Conclusion
As Black Friday and Cyber Monday continue to gain popularity in the Philippines, Filipino businesses should consider adopting effective SEO and SEM strategies to make the most of these shopping events.
They can stand out and attract more customers during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping frenzy. Remember that preparation is key, so start planning your campaigns well in advance to make the most of these exciting shopping holidays.
Contact OOm Philippines at (02) 8283 3168 or leave a message on our website if you need help preparing for the upcoming Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.