What Is BFCM?

What is BFCM 2025 COD


Introduction


Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) is the most critical shopping period of the year for e-commerce businesses. For Shopify merchants, especially those using Cash on Delivery (COD) and dropshipping models, BFCM represents both the biggest opportunity and the greatest challenge they'll face annually.


But what exactly is BFCM, and why should it matter to your business? This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about BFCM, its impact on different business models, and why early preparation is absolutely crucial for success.


What Exactly Is BFCM?


BFCM stands for Black Friday Cyber Monday – a four-day shopping extravaganza that begins on Black Friday (the day after U.S. Thanksgiving) and culminates on Cyber Monday. What started as an American retail tradition has evolved into a global e-commerce phenomenon that affects businesses worldwide.



The Origins and Evolution


Black Friday originally marked the day when retailers would transition from annual losses ("red ink") to profits ("black ink"). Cyber Monday, coined in 2005, was created to capture the surge in online shopping that occurred when people returned to work after the holiday weekend and used their faster office internet connections.



Today, BFCM has transformed into:

  • The biggest revenue opportunity of the year for most online businesses

  • A global shopping culture extending far beyond the United States

  • A make-or-break period where some merchants generate 30-40% of their annual revenue

  • The ultimate stress test for e-commerce operations, customer service, and technology infrastructure


BFCM by the Numbers: Why It Matters in 2025


The scale of BFCM continues to grow exponentially:

  • $240+ billion in global e-commerce sales expected during BFCM 2025

  • 55-60% of transactions will happen on mobile devices

  • 25-30% increase in COD transactions in emerging markets year-over-year

  • 15-25% higher average order values compared to regular shopping periods


For context, many Shopify stores see traffic increases of 500-1000% during peak BFCM hours, making preparation absolutely essential.


Why BFCM Is Critical for Different Business Models


Shopify Stores: Built for BFCM Success


Shopify merchants have unique advantages during BFCM:



Technical Infrastructure Benefits:

  • Native scalability to handle massive traffic surges

  • Built-in BFCM features like discount codes and flash sales

  • Extensive app ecosystem for specialized needs

  • Mobile-optimized checkout flows


Business Opportunities:

  • Customer acquisition: BFCM drives 3-5x higher new customer rates

  • Market testing: Perfect environment for testing new products

  • Brand visibility: High-traffic period for establishing market presence

  • Revenue concentration: Opportunity to achieve quarterly goals in days


However, success isn't automatic. The merchants who thrive during BFCM are those who prepare thoroughly and avoid common mistakes that can derail their efforts.


COD (Cash on Delivery) Stores: Unique Advantages and Challenges


For businesses offering Cash on Delivery, BFCM presents a double-edged sword.



Why COD Thrives During BFCM:

  • Lower purchase barriers: Customers more willing to try new brands without upfront payment

  • Trust building: COD removes payment anxiety for hesitant buyers

  • Higher conversion rates: 25-40% better conversion for first-time customers

  • Market expansion: Access to customers uncomfortable with online payments


Critical COD Challenges:

  • Return rates spike: RTO (Return to Origin) rates can increase 40-60% during BFCM

  • Fraud attempts surge: Higher traffic brings more fraudulent orders

  • Logistics complexity: COD requires more sophisticated delivery coordination

  • Cash flow delays: Revenue realization postponed until successful delivery


The key to COD success during BFCM lies in having robust verification systems and reliable processes - topics we'll explore in detail in our upcoming posts about COD conversion strategies and preparation checklists.


Dropshipping Businesses: High Rewards, High Risks


Dropshipping models face unique BFCM dynamics:



Advantages:

  • Rapid scaling: Quick capitalization on trending products without inventory risk

  • Low upfront investment: No need to purchase stock in advance

  • Market testing: Ideal environment for validating new products

  • Global reach: Serve multiple markets without physical presence


Challenges:

  • Supplier reliability: Partners may struggle with volume increases

  • Quality control: Less oversight during high-volume periods

  • Shipping delays: Extended delivery times can hurt satisfaction

  • Coordination complexity: Managing multiple supplier relationships


When dropshipping combines with COD, the stakes become even higher. Failed deliveries hit profit margins harder, making verification and customer communication absolutely critical.


The Hidden Complexities of BFCM


Beyond the Discounts: What Really Drives BFCM Success


While most merchants focus on promotions and discounts, BFCM success actually depends on:



Operational Excellence:

  • Website performance under extreme load

  • Checkout optimization for high-volume traffic

  • Customer service scalability

  • Fraud prevention and order verification


Customer Experience:

  • Clear communication about shipping times and policies

  • Easy mobile shopping experience

  • Trust signals for first-time buyers

  • Post-purchase communication and support


Strategic Planning:

  • Inventory management and demand forecasting

  • Marketing campaign coordination across channels

  • Supplier and logistics partner preparation

  • Long-term customer retention planning


The Cost of Poor Preparation


The difference between prepared and unprepared merchants during BFCM is dramatic:



Well-Prepared Merchants Experience:

  • Stable sites during traffic surges

  • Higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction

  • Lower customer service burden

  • Strong foundation for long-term growth


Unprepared Merchants Often Face:

  • Website crashes during peak traffic

  • Payment processing failures

  • Overwhelmed customer service teams

  • High refund and chargeback rates

  • Damaged brand reputation


This is why early preparation isn't just recommended. It's essential for BFCM success.


BFCM Success Factors: What You Need to Know


Technology and Infrastructure


Your technology stack needs to handle traffic surges that can be 10x higher than normal:

  • Load testing: Simulate peak traffic conditions

  • CDN implementation: Ensure fast loading times globally

  • Mobile optimization: Most BFCM traffic comes from mobile devices

  • Backup systems: Have contingency plans for technical failures


Payment and Checkout Optimization


Checkout experience becomes critical during BFCM:

  • COD prominence: Make Cash on Delivery options clearly visible

  • Guest checkout: Remove friction for new customers

  • Address validation: Prevent delivery failures with accurate addresses

  • Multi-step optimization: Efficient checkout process

Fraud Prevention and Order Verification


High traffic periods attract fraudulent activity:

  • COD verification: Confirm orders before shipping to reduce RTOs

  • Fraud detection: Implement rules specific to BFCM patterns

  • Risk assessment: Identify high-risk orders for manual review

  • Customer authentication: Balance security with user experience


Customer Communication


Clear, proactive communication prevents problems:

  • Transparent policies: Clear shipping times and COD terms

  • Order confirmations: Immediate acknowledgment of purchases

  • Delivery updates: Keep customers informed about shipping status

  • Support availability: Prepare for increased customer service volume


Common BFCM Pitfalls to Avoid


While we'll cover this topic in detail in our upcoming "5 Common BFCM Mistakes to Avoid" post, here are the critical errors that can derail your BFCM success:|


1. Underestimating traffic: Not preparing infrastructure for actual volume

2. Poor mobile experience: Neglecting the majority of your BFCM traffic

3. Inadequate COD verification: Leading to high RTO rates and losses

4. Overpromising delivery: Setting unrealistic expectations about shipping times

5. Neglecting post-BFCM follow-up: Missing opportunities to retain new customers


The Importance of Early Preparation


BFCM preparation should begin months in advance, not weeks. Here's why:



Technical Preparation (8-12 weeks before):

  • Infrastructure upgrades and testing

  • App installations and configurations

  • Theme optimizations and customizations

  • Integration testing with payment and shipping providers


Marketing Preparation (6-8 weeks before):

  • Campaign development and creative production

  • Inventory planning and supplier coordination

  • Customer segmentation and targeting

  • Content creation and email sequence development


Operational Preparation (4-6 weeks before):

  • Staff training and scheduling

  • Customer service script development

  • Logistics partner coordination

  • Quality assurance testing


Early preparation isn't just about avoiding problems; it's about positioning your business to take the most out of BFCM, while your competitors scramble to keep up.


Looking Ahead: Your BFCM Success Journey


Understanding what BFCM is represents just the first step in your journey to holiday shopping success. The merchants who truly thrive during this period are those who:

  • Stay informed about emerging trends and consumer behavior changes

  • Learn from mistakes – both their own and others' experiences

  • Optimize continuously throughout the BFCM period

  • Think long-term about customer relationships, not just immediate sales

  • Prepare systematically using proven checklists and strategies

In our upcoming blog posts, we'll dive deep into each of these areas, providing you with actionable strategies, detailed checklists, and proven tactics to make BFCM 2025 your most successful yet.


Next Steps: Building Your BFCM Foundation


Now that you understand what BFCM is and why it matters for your business model, it's time to start building your success strategy:

  • Assess your current readiness: Evaluate your technology, processes, and team preparation

  • Identify your biggest risks: Whether it's RTO rates, technical issues, or supplier reliability

  • Create a preparation timeline: Work backward from BFCM to plan your key milestones

  • Stay tuned for our upcoming guides: We'll provide detailed strategies for each aspect of BFCM success

Remember: BFCM success isn't about luck or last-minute heroics. It's about systematic preparation, understanding your business model's unique challenges and opportunities, and executing a well-planned strategy.


Start Your BFCM Preparation!

Don't wait until the last minute to optimize your COD processes for BFCM. Early preparation is the difference between merchants who thrive during BFCM and those who struggle to keep up.


Releasit  helps Shopify merchants optimize their COD operations with:

  • Smart verification systems to reduce RTO rates by up to 70%

  • Fraud detection tools designed for high-traffic periods

  • Analytics dashboards to monitor performance in real-time

  • Easy integrations with Shopify and major courier services


 

Start Now!


 


Join thousands of merchants who rely on Releasit to make the most out of their BFCM COD performance.