Blog

The Black Friday & Cyber Monday Playbook 2025 reveals how leading Shopify brands turn the busiest week of the year into a long-term growth strategy. Instead of rushed campaigns, broken sites, and short-lived sales spikes, structured preparation and data-driven systems create calm, scalable performance before, during, and after BFCM.

Black Friday week confirmed once again that growth in Finnish online shopping does not happen by chance. Consumers waited for the right moment to buy, and when BFCM campaigns were launched, demand exploded – especially in stores that had been systematically developed throughout the year. This year's results clearly showed: long-term optimization, data-driven decision-making and scalable advertising build growth, which is reflected in exceptionally strong sales during campaign weeks.

The Shopify Migration Guide 2025 with AI reveals how leading brands turn migration into a growth strategy. Instead of painful data transfers and lost traffic, AI-powered tools deliver cleaner data, preserved SEO, and optimized customer journeys.

AI agents are quickly surpassing traditional chatbots. While chatbots provide answers, agents take action. With OpenAI’s AgentKit, ChatGPT can now execute multi-step tasks across platforms like Shopify, Klaviyo, and Figma—transforming ecommerce from manual clicks to automated, conversation-driven workflows.

At Brancoy, we believe collection pages are a key element in e-commerce success. In collaboration with Depict, we’re sharing our insights on how to design seamless, conversion-optimized collection pages that reflect a brand's identity and enhance the shopping experience. Together, we explore why these pages are crucial for driving sales and how to make them work harder for your brand.

Live chat in an online store provides customers with immediate assistance and personal service during the purchase process. It not only improves the customer experience and builds trust, but also directly impacts conversions and sales growth. When used correctly, live chat acts as a sales tool, a customer service enhancer, and an enabler of proactive sales – all in one seamless digital experience.

Keyword research is an ecommerce business’s most important tool for understanding what customers are really searching for online. It reveals their language, search habits, and needs, and helps you target resources to the search terms that drive quality traffic and conversions. Done right, keyword research not only improves your visibility in search engines, but also builds a bridge between your customers and your products – the foundation for sustainable sales results.

As your online business grows, you will inevitably face challenges that can make it difficult to expand and scale your business. Certain growing pains are common to almost all emerging D2C brands, and they often stop growth before the market or demand does. We have compiled the most important challenges and solutions based on integrations, automation and systematic growth management.

Page load speed is one of the most important technical metrics in e-commerce – and often a decisive factor in a customer’s purchase decision. Every second counts: fast pages improve the user experience, increase conversions and strengthen search engine visibility, while slow pages easily lead to lost sales. That’s why optimizing load speed is a critical part of sustainable growth and competitiveness for e-commerce entrepreneurs.

Conversion rate is one of the most important performance metrics for online stores – it tells you how effectively your website converts visitors into buyers or other targeted actions. Even if the percentage is small, its impact on your business is large: even a small improvement can be seen directly in sales without additional marketing efforts. That’s why conversion optimization is one of the most cost-effective ways to increase your online store’s revenue and improve your customer experience.

Seamless cooperation between e-commerce and logistics is a vital requirement for competitive business today. When systems talk to each other, the customer experience improves, delivery processes are accelerated, and manual work is reduced. Effective integration not only saves costs – it enables growth, scalability, and a smooth everyday life for both the entrepreneur and the customer.

Ecommerce integrations form the backbone of a digital business. They connect your ecommerce platform to other core systems and enable automated, real-time data transfer between systems. When back-end processes run seamlessly, a business can focus on growing sales, streamlining operations, and delivering a seamless customer experience across all channels.

Acquiring the first customers is the biggest challenge for a new online store – and at the same time, the most important step towards success. Successful customer acquisition begins even before the store opens with pre-launch marketing and continues after the launch as a consistent effort to build visibility and trust.

Shopify apps are a cornerstone of e-commerce success for beginners. Basic tools such as analytics, email marketing, customer service, and security apps offer immediate benefits without complex setups. Starting with free and freemium options allows for growth into paid solutions as needed, keeping the return on investment manageable.

Integrating Finnish payment methods, such as online banking payments and MobilePay, is essential for a successful Shopify online store. They increase customer trust, speed up the purchasing process, and significantly improve conversions, as Finns prefer familiar and secure payment methods. This guide explains how to integrate Finnish payment methods into Shopify, what options are available, and what technical, financial, and legal considerations should be taken into account. When an online store offers local payment methods, it feels reliable and easy for the customer – and this is directly reflected in sales.

Measuring online store visibility is key to sustainable growth and profitable marketing. Without data, you don't know how customers find your store or why competitors are doing better. With the right tools – such as Google Analytics, Search Console, and Shopify's own analytics – you can track organic traffic, search engine rankings, and social media reach in real time. Regular analysis reveals which actions are producing results and where there is room for improvement. By systematically monitoring visibility, you can make informed decisions, optimize your marketing, and steer your business growth in the right direction.

Newsletters are the most direct and cost-effective way for online stores to reach customers without algorithms or advertising budgets. Email marketing generates a better ROI on average than any other digital channel and helps build long-term customer relationships through personalized content and regular communication.

Shopify allows you to run an online store completely without your own inventory using the dropshipping model. In this model, the supplier handles the storage, packaging, and delivery of products directly to the customer, while you focus on marketing, customer service, and brand building. Dropshipping makes online retail an easily launched business with minimal start-up costs and risks.

E-commerce profitability shows how much your business truly earns after all expenses – not just sales volume, but actual profit. Monitoring it reveals whether your pricing, costs, and marketing are in balance. Key metrics like gross profit margin, customer acquisition cost, and customer lifetime value help you understand what's working and what's not. By optimizing pricing, cutting unnecessary costs, and leveraging automation, your e-commerce business will start growing profitably – not just in revenue, but also in net income.

Shopify is a cloud-based e-commerce platform that offers an easy and fully managed way to sell online. It handles technical maintenance and scalability automatically, allowing entrepreneurs to focus on growing their business. Its wide range of apps and intuitive interface make it popular with both beginners and growing businesses.

Shopify security means protecting the online store and customer data from cyber threats. The platform's built-in protections, such as SSL certificates, PCI DSS compliance, and malware monitoring, ensure secure payment transactions, while the merchant's own actions – strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and access control – strengthen the overall security. Good security is critical because it protects customer trust, business continuity, and prevents financial losses.

The meta title is the most important element of search engine optimization (SEO) for an online store, serving as the first impression in search results. It combines keywords and an attractive message that encourages customers to click on your store. An effectively written meta title significantly improves visibility on Google and increases the click-through rate.

Shopify allows you to sell services just as easily as physical products, including digital services, consulting, training, or support services. The platform supports various pricing models, order options, and customer management, making service sales flexible. Success requires clear processes for delivery, project management, and customer communication, as well as building trust through a portfolio, references, and customer reviews.

Organic visibility is the foundation of sustainable growth for e-commerce. It means free search engine visibility, where customers find your products through natural search results without advertising costs. Well-executed search engine optimization (SEO) improves profitability, brings continuous traffic, and increases customer trust. In the long run, organic visibility is the most efficient and cost-effective way for e-commerce to increase sales.

Long-tail keywords are cornerstones of e-commerce search engine optimization (SEO). They are precisely defined, longer search terms used by customers ready to buy when searching for the exact right product. Using these keywords, e-commerce businesses can reach the right customers, improve conversion rates, and increase sales while avoiding competition.

The Shopify POS system makes it easy to combine online and physical stores, enabling omnichannel sales – customers can buy online and pick up in-store, or vice versa. Unified inventory management, payment processing, and customer database improve customer experience and business efficiency.

Social media and e-commerce are now inextricably linked. Consumers discover products on social media, compare options, and want to buy directly with a single click. When e-commerce and social media channels work seamlessly together, brands gain greater visibility, customer experience improves, and sales naturally increase.

Payment methods are one of the most important factors affecting conversion in e-commerce. Finns still trust online banking payments, but card and mobile payments are rapidly gaining popularity. When payment is easy, secure, and offers a suitable range of options, customers are more likely to complete their purchases.

Shopify offers a flexible and scalable platform that grows with your business, from a small startup to an international online store. Cloud-based infrastructure, automatic updates, and modular add-ons ensure smooth operation and easy expansion into different markets. This makes Shopify an attractive choice for growing businesses that want to focus on business development rather than technical challenges.

Shopify makes it easy to sell digital products like ebooks, online courses, and software without inventory or shipping costs. Products are automatically delivered via download links, and you can use apps like Digital Downloads, SendOwl, or Sky Pilot for management. Pricing should be based on product value, utilizing bundles and promotions, and optimizing sales through analytics and upselling.

Most brands know their online store could be better — but few realize how much inefficiency is really costing them. A slow website, broken plugins, and constant bug fixes not only cost money, but also time and growth opportunities. The true cost of an online store is only revealed when you look at the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). It reveals how much your current platform is really consuming — and how much of a difference it can make when your technical environment supports growth rather than hinders it.

Inventory-less sales on Shopify means running an online store without your own warehouse, implemented for example through dropshipping, print-on-demand, or digital products. Shopify apps automate processes, but success requires reliable suppliers, good customer service, and active marketing.

Internal linking is a cornerstone of e-commerce SEO, connecting your website's content and guiding visitors naturally through the purchase funnel. Well-executed internal linking improves search engine visibility, effectively distributes website authority, and supports sales by increasing time spent on the site and conversions. Strategically placed links make your online store both user-friendly and search engine friendly.

The true costs of e-commerce are not limited to just the platform fee. Add-ons, transaction fees, and payment processing fees easily increase monthly expenses. Hosting, security, technical support, and marketing also add significant costs. Furthermore, legal obligations such as GDPR compliance, accounting, and insurance increase expenses. Considering these hidden costs during the planning phase helps maintain better control over the profitability of the online store.

Shopify has risen to become one of the world's most popular e-commerce platforms because it combines ease of use, versatile features, and growth potential into a single solution. Setting up an online store is possible without technical expertise, and the platform grows with the business, from a small startup to an international player. Shopify offers all the tools a successful online store needs – from order processing to marketing, analytics, and payment solutions.

Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday aren’t just promotional days. They’re the most important test of the year for your online store. BFCM shows how ready your store is to withstand the pressure, drive sales, and maintain a controlled brand experience when traffic, expectations, and competition are at their highest. Most brands start preparing too late. The best ones start with a plan, and that’s why they grow, not just survive.

Setting up an online store is easier than ever today, provided you have the right tools and a clear plan. Popular platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce offer ready-made solutions for payments, shipping, and design. However, success requires more than just technical implementation – customer experience, marketing, and service quality are crucial factors in differentiating your online store from the competition.

Shopify online banking payments offer Finnish customers a secure and familiar way to pay for purchases directly from their bank account without a credit card. They significantly increase online store trust and improve conversion rates, as most Finns prefer online banking as a payment method. By choosing a reliable payment processor like Paytrail, Klarna, or Bambora, you can offer your customers a fast, mobile-friendly, and secure payment experience in your Shopify store.

Your first email marketing campaign might seem daunting, but with a few basic building blocks, you can get started effectively. You need the right tool, a growing email list, and a clear message that resonates with your customer. In this blog, you'll learn how to build effective email marketing for your online store that supports sales and customer relationships – step by step.

Discount codes aren't just a way to attract customers – they're a strategic tool for growing e-commerce businesses. A properly timed and targeted campaign can improve conversions, acquire new customers, and strengthen customer loyalty. In this blog, we'll explore why discount codes work, how to choose the right type of discount, and how to measure the true profitability of your campaigns.

Image optimization is one of the most effective, yet often underutilized, SEO techniques for e-commerce. Fast loading times, improved search engine visibility, and a visually appealing user experience are all built upon well-optimized images. This guide will walk you through how to optimize your e-commerce images to support both search engine visibility and sales.

Shopify reports are essential tools for e-commerce merchants in developing their businesses. They provide a clear view of what's really happening in your store – from sales to customer behavior and profitability. By correctly interpreting the data in these reports, you can make better decisions, discover new growth opportunities, and optimize your online store's productivity.

SEO-friendly product descriptions are the invisible salespeople of e-commerce, influencing both search engine visibility and purchasing decisions. When a product description combines the right keywords, a clear structure, and persuasive language, it elevates the product in search results and convinces the customer to buy. In this blog, you'll learn how to write effective product descriptions that generate visibility and sales.

An SSL certificate is no longer just a recommendation – it's a necessity for every online store. It protects customers' sensitive data through encryption, builds trust, and ensures your online store appears in search results. This blog will cover how SSL works, why its absence drives away customers, and how to choose the right certificate for your store.

Tracking Shopify sales provides online merchants with valuable insights into where their customers come from and which channels perform best. Understanding which marketing efforts actually drive sales—not just traffic—allows you to allocate your budget more effectively and improve customer acquisition profitability. This blog post delves into why tracking sales sources is a critical part of an e-commerce growth strategy and how you can practically benefit from this data.

How many products should an online store have? The ideal number of products depends on the stage of the business, its goals, and its resources. For a new online store, a smaller, high-quality selection offers a manageable and efficient start, while a growing store can benefit from a wider range and better discoverability. In this blog, we'll discuss how product quantity affects customer experience, search engine visibility, and online store management – and when it's the right time to expand your selection.

A website's homepage is the digital business card and the first point of contact with the customer. A clear structure, important company information, an attractive product presentation, and trust-building elements form the basis for a successful customer experience and purchasing decisions. Mobile optimization is particularly important, ensuring a smooth and pleasant experience on all devices. In this blog, we'll go through what a website's homepage shouldn't be missing and how it supports sales and credibility.

Trust is the foundation of e-commerce success. Customers assess a website's credibility at first glance – and the decision to buy is often made in seconds. This blog explores how to build a trustworthy online store, from technical solutions to customer communication, and why every detail influences the purchasing decision.

Search engines, such as Google, are the most important sources of customer acquisition for online stores. They direct potential buyers precisely when they are searching for a product or solution to their problem. Without a search engine strategy, an online store remains invisible – and sales opportunities flow to competitors. In this blog, we delve into why search engines are at the heart of online store success and how they directly impact sales, visibility, and profitability.

Increasing online store traffic requires a planned and multi-channel approach. Search engine optimization (SEO), paid advertising, and improving customer experience together form the foundation for attracting the right visitors and converting them into paying customers. This blog delves into concrete ways to sustainably grow your traffic and sales.

Maintaining an online store is an ongoing process that directly impacts sales, customer satisfaction, and security. Technical updates are needed weekly, and content should be developed according to business objectives and seasons. In this blog, we'll explain why updates are so critical – and how to build an effective schedule that keeps your online store competitive and reliable.

Starting an online store requires more than just a good product idea. A successful launch comes from careful planning that combines a viable business plan, the right technical platform, legal expertise, and effective marketing. This blog will cover the most important areas that every e-commerce entrepreneur should master before their first sale.