Ecommerce Holiday Checklist: Fix These Shopify Issues Before October 2025

Running out of your bestsellers during special holidays isn’t a fluke—it’s a planning problem.

Many stores rely on gut feel or monthly averages to reorder stock. That’s how you end up with sold-out products on your biggest sales day of the year.

Instead, look at last Q4’s data.

• What moved fast? 

• What got bundled or gifted more than expected? 

Those items need to be reordered before lead time kills your margins – ideally 15–25% more than you’d normally order.

Also, think beyond SKUs:

• Are your suppliers prone to delays?
• Are your packaging materials in stock?
• Are you planning gift card sales, bundle deals, or flash sales?

Clean up:

• “Ghost SKUs” that show live but are out of stock
• Sync issues across sales channels (your store, Amazon, POS, etc.)

Tools to try:

• Inventory Planner for demand forecasting
• Katana for multichannel stock visibility
• Google Sheets + Zapier for manual backups

One of the fastest ways to lose trust (and sales) is missing delivery promises.

If your store still says “arrives in 3–5 days” during peak season, you can expect refund requests and angry emails.

Your carriers already publish Q4 cutoff dates—use them.

Then work backwards to build your own:

• Set a last day to order for standard, express, and international
• Add 1–2 buffer days for fulfillment delays or carrier lag
• Create separate cutoff timelines for dropshipped or made-to-order items

Next, push this info on the following pages to set realistic expectations:

• Product pages
• Cart and checkout
• Order confirmation emails

Rushed promos lead to missed revenue. If you’re scrambling to write emails the night before Black Friday, you’re already behind.

Now what you need is a good promo calendar that lets you sell more without burning out.

Map out your full November–December schedule now. At minimum, block out:

• Black Friday / Cyber Monday
  This is your biggest sales spike—but also your most competitive inbox moment. Plan something time-sensitive and simple. Consider offering early access to VIPs or a sitewide deal that ends quickly.
• Christmas and Boxing Day (especially if you sell in Canada)
  People shop for last-minute gifts, but also spend gift cards right after. Boxing Day is a great time to move extra inventory or run a “you deserve this” campaign.
• Any flash sales, loyalty promos, or VIP-only drops
  These can keep the momentum going between big dates. Just make sure they feel special—and not like leftovers.

For each promo, figure out:

• When you’ll send emails or SMS (and who’s writing them)

• What assets need to be created (banners, codes, landing pages, email copy)

• Who you’re targeting: VIPs, past buyers, or cold leads

Don’t send the same thing to everyone. Match the offer to the buyer:

• Loyalty customers
  Give them early access, surprise rewards, or tiered offers that get better the more they spend.
• Repeat buyers
  Recommend bundles, upgrades, or limited-time access to new arrivals.
• Low-engagement leads
  Use urgency. Short promos, final-hour deals, or SMS-only codes. These tend to work best here.

Email and SMS Tools Worth Using

Set it and forget it doesn’t work during the holidays—but these tools get you close.

• Klaviyo
  Let’s you build smart email flows based on real customer behaviour. You can send early access to VIPs or trigger reminders when carts are abandoned.
• Postscript
  Built for Shopify. If you need to send fast, time-sensitive Text/SMS updates—like “last day to get it by Christmas”—this handles it well.
• Attentive
  More advanced SMS marketing service, but worth it if you’re scaling. Great for segmenting buyers and running multi-step SMS promos without babysitting them.
• Omnisend
  Simple, reliable, and combines email and SMS. Good pick for teams that want solid results without spending weeks on setup.

More traffic doesn’t guarantee more sales—especially if your site feels risky or vague.

During the holidays, customers are moving fast. They don’t have time to wonder, “Will this arrive on time?” or “What if they don’t like it?”

You need to answer those silent doubts before they bounce.

Start with these micro-trust signals:

• “Ships Fast” badges on product pages and collection banners
• Extended holiday return – add a “Holiday Returns Until [date]” note near the Add to Cart button and/or display throughout the website
• Use trust icons for secure checkout, payment methods, and delivery options

Add these once, then repeat them everywhere:

• Homepage
• Product detail pages
• Cart drawer/checkout

Install Live Chat or AI Support for Last-minute Questions. Holiday buyers often want quick answers like:

• “Can I include a gift message?”
• “Will this arrive before [holiday]?”
• “What size should I buy?”

Use live chat or an AI-powered chatbot to:

• Handle FAQs instantly (shipping, returns, gift options)
• Route high-value questions to real staff when needed
• Keep people on the website instead of abandoning to look elsewhere

Tools to use to strengthen trust and answer user questions:

These options work well for Shopify and most major eCommerce platforms:

• Gorgias— AI + live support built for Shopify
• Tidio— easy to set up with chatbot templates
• Re:amaze — chat, email, FAQ automation, and team inbox

Most buyers aren’t shopping for themselves but to gift to family and friends.

They’re overwhelmed, short on time, and not sure what your store even offers for “that one uncle.”

Make it stupid-simple to find gifts by adding:

• Filters like:
  • By recipient (e.g., “For Him,” “For Kids,” “For the One Who Has Everything”)
  • By budget (e.g., Under $25, $25–$75, $75+)
  • By interest or occasion (e.g., “Fitness Gifts,” “Stocking Stuffers”)

Launch or Revamp Your Holiday Gift Guide Page

Gift guides are one of the easiest ways to drive Q4 revenue—especially from cold or non-technical shoppers.

Build a simple landing pageor blog post that links to collections like:

• “Top Gifts Under $50”
• “Best Sellers for Last-Minute Shoppers”
• “Gifts with Fast Shipping”

Include:

• Eye-catching product tiles
• High-quality product pictures
• Quick “Buy this” buttons or “Gift This” CTAs
• Trust signals (returns + shipping info)

Tools/Apps to enhance gift shopping

• Elementor – For custom landing pages with filters and product blocks (WooCommerce / WordPress)

• Boost Product Filter & Search– Adds advanced filtering and keyword search for large catalogues (Shopify only).

Shopify Sidekick is your backstage helper. It won’t replace your team, but it will save you hours.

Here’s how to put it to work:

• Polish Up Gift-Focused Product Descriptions
  Use Sidekick to rewrite key listings with “gift mode” in mind. Think: less specs, more emotional hooks.
• Automate the Repetitive Stuff
  Don’t spend a Sunday bulk-updating sale prices or scheduling homepage banners.

Sidekick helps you set triggers: like when inventory dips or when it’s time to switch over your promo messaging.

• Prep Fast Answers for Support Chats
  Holiday buyers ask the same questions over and over:
  • “Will this get here by Christmas?”
  •  “Do you offer returns in January?

Let Sidekick help draft answers you can plug into your chat widget or FAQ page.

Helpful Add-ons That Pair Well with Sidekick:

• Shopify Flow — triggers and automations without code
• ReConvert — great for turning post-purchase traffic into gift add-ons or repeat sales
• Shopify Magic — makes writing emails and product copy easier

A slow store kills conversions—and Shopify stores aren’t immune.

As traffic spikes, every millisecond matters. Slow sites frustrate buyers and push them away.

The usual culprit?

Unused apps and third-party scripts are silently dragging the performance down.

Here’s what to do:

• Head to your Apps panel and uninstall anything you haven’t used in the last 6–8 weeks
• In Online Store > Themes > Edit Code, check for leftover script snippets from uninstalled apps. Work with a Shopify developer if you are unsure how to handle this.
• Turn off app features you’re not using (many still load scripts even when inactive)

Run These Speed Checks:

• Shopify Analyzer — built specifically for Shopify. Flags oversized files, unused app code, and slow-loading sections
• Shopify Theme Inspector for Chrome — reveals what’s slowing down your Liquid templates (great for devs)
• Online Store > Themes > Theme Settings > Performance (2025 themes only) — Some newer Shopify themes now include native speed insights

Screenshot of the Google PageSpeed Insights test report for an eCommerce website

Your checkout is the final step—and the smoothest one wins.

Shopify’s checkout is already built for speed and security — that part’s covered. But during the holiday rush, even small tweaks(like the button text) can make a big difference in how smoothly customers move through the final step.

How to make your checkout flow smoother:

• Simplify the checkout Process

Streamline your checkout process by removing unnecessary form fields. Only ask for the essential details required to process the order — the fewer steps, the higher the conversion rate.

• Highlight Trusted Payment Options

Feature fast, familiar payment methods such as Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and major credit cards to give your customers flexibility without overcomplicating the process. Add Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) payment options for flexible payments.

• Add Elements to Boost Trust

Add payment card logos and a reassuring note like:

“Secure checkout. No hidden fees. Support is just a click away.”

• Enable abandoned checkout emails

Inside Settings → Notifications, activate Shopify’s built-in reminders.

These work quietly in the background and often bring back warm buyers within hours.

• Walk through it like a customer

Use your own store: apply a discount, add a product, and complete a test order.

You’ll catch anything that can be clarified, improved, or polished before the rush begins.

Source: canadiandownandfeather.com

Automate tasks like tagging, organizing, and alerting with Shopify Flow, freeing your team to focus on packing orders rather than managing notifications.

Here’s how to get it working for you this season

• Automatically tag holiday-related orders

To sort, prioritize, or segment orders for fulfillment or post-sale campaigns, tagging is a smart move, and Flow automatically applies labels like “Holiday2025,” “Gift Wrap,” or “BFCM” based on discount codes, cart contents, or order value.

• Set alerts for low inventory

Pick your key sellers—Flow can notify you when stock levels drop.

• Stay on Top of Fulfillment Delays

Use Shopify Flow to tag orders or send team reminders if fulfillment is delayed beyond 48 hours. This keeps everything moving efficiently during peak seasons.

Source: Shopify.com

Shopify Flow is free for Shopify, Advanced, and Shopify Plus plans.

Install it from the Shopify App Store, and start with one of their holiday-ready templates—or build your own with drag-and-drop triggers or use ready templates from the library.

Some shoppers wait until the week before Christmas. Others want flexibility in case their gift doesn’t hit the mark. Your store should cover both.

Here’s how to make both work in your Shopify store:

Start with gift cards

Shopify makes it easy to offer digital gift cards.

• You can set it up like any other product by going to Products → Gift Cards
• Add a holiday-themed image, a short “Last-Minute {holiday} Gift” headline, and a clear call-to-action.

How to Help Shoppers Find Gift Cards Fast:

• Feature gift cards in your navigation bar
• Include them in your holiday gift guide
• Mention it in cart pop-ups for sold-out items or in the exit intent pop-ups
• Highlight them in shipping cutoff banners as a backup option

Next, update your return policy for the season throughout the website

Holiday shoppers expect longer return windows.

If you’re offering extended returns for the holidays, make that visible throughout the website – home page, collection, product pages, and anywhere else appropriate.

Do include in your holiday confirmation emails, FAQ, return policy, etc. And don’t forget to include it in your AI chat (if you are using one).

Use clear and easy language like:

“Extended Holiday Returns: Orders placed between Nov 1 are returnable until Jan 15.”

No one wants to scroll forever during the holidays. Give them a shortcut to the perfect present.

So, here’s how to help them out:

1. Add links for holiday stuff right on your menu

2. Put these right near your most popular categories, or before “Shop All”
3. Create a little urgency on the homepage

4. Highlight your bestsellers or gift bundles

5. Make sure it’s easy to shop on mobile

How to set this up in Shopify:

• Navigation: Online Store → Navigation → Main Menu
• Homepage: Online Store → Themes → Customize (use sections for featured collections and carousels)
• Use apps or your theme’s options to show those shipping deadlines.

A spike in traffic is great—until your theme crashes or a third-party script stalls checkout.

That is where load testing comes in. Every store must run tests to simulate heavy traffic and find weak spots.

Here is what you should do:

• Test your theme under pressure
  If you’re using a custom theme or a heavily modified one, check how it handles traffic surges. You can use tools like Loader.io or K6 Cloud to simulate traffic spikes and see how fast your pages load.
• Check your third-party scripts
  • Apps like upsell popups, bundle builders, or heatmaps can drag down page speed—especially on mobile.
  • Disable any non-essential scripts during peak days (Nov 28–Dec 2).
  • Better yet, delay their load to trigger after page content is visible.
• Have a quick fallback plan
  • If a script fails or the theme layout breaks, have a backup version of your theme saved in Shopify.
  • Just duplicate your live theme under “Online Store → Themes” and label it “Holiday Backup.”

Shopify Tips:

• Duplicate your theme and publish if needed under pressure
• Use Shopify Analyzer (from the Shopify.dev team) to find app bloat
• Avoid editing live themes during sale hours—schedule changes during off-peak hours

Trim the fat before it slows you down.

Apps, trackers, and custom scripts pile up fast—especially after years of “quick adds.” Many stores go into BFCM with 30+ apps active… but only half are actually doing the work.

Now’s the time to clean house.

🧹 Here’s what the best teams do before traffic spikes:

• Audit every app in your store

Ask:

• Is it used weekly?
• Does it slow down load time?
• Is there a native Shopify alternative now?

Based on the answers, consider removing or replacing.

• Consider using an all-in-one app for consolidated features

Consider an all-in-one like Vitals or Shopify Bundles instead of using three different apps for popups, upsells, and reviews to reduce load time.

• Delay script loads
  Tools like SpeedBoostr help you time scripts to load after key content appears—keeping first impressions fast.
• Check mobile performance
  Run Google PageSpeed Insights and Shopify Analyzer on mobile views.
  Focus on removing or deferring scripts that block render time.

Support requests triple during BFCM or the holiday season, and most are repetitive.

Customers want to know if their gift will arrive in time, how to apply a promo code, or whether you offer returns until January. If you’re answering each one manually, you’re losing time.

If you’re typing answers manually, you’ll be buried. Set your support tools up before it gets busy.

Here’s what smart stores do early:

• Load in macros for holiday FAQs

Create saved replies for your helpdesk or chat tool, covering:

• Delivery timelines
• Gift receipt options
• Holiday return policy

In tools like Gorgias or Shopify Inbox, these can be triggered with a click—or even auto-applied by AI.

• Pre-set expectations with auto-replies

Add a short message in your live chat like:“We’re replying daily from 8 am–8 pm EST. Holiday volume is high, but we’ll get back to you ASAP.”

• Use AI assistants to cut the ticket load

• • Gorgias AI Agent: Can suggest replies, auto-tag tickets, and even resolve common requests (like order status or return dates).
  • Shopify Inbox with Magic: Suggests response text inside your live chat so your team answers faster.
  • Optional add-ons like Sigma AI (for Gorgias) can push this further—auto-closing repetitive tickets entirely.
• Prep Sidekick for merchant support
  While Sidekick is mainly for you (not your customers), it can still help draft return policy text, quick FAQ copy, or bulk changes before the season.

Campaigns bring sales, but tracking brings insights.

If you tag and measure now, you’ll know exactly which emails, ads, or promos drove revenue—and what to cut or double down on next year.

Use BFCM/holiday season as both a sales eventand a learning opportunity.

Tag your campaigns now, line up dashboards that show the right metrics, and decide how you’ll review results when the rush is over.

Here’s what top stores set up tracking before BFCM/holiday season:

• Tag every link with UTM
  Email, SMS, IG Story—doesn’t matter. Every link should have proper UTM tracking.

Stick to a naming format like:
utm_source=email&utm_medium=broadcast&utm_campaign=bfcm_flash_sale

Tools like UTM.io or Campaign URL Builder can help you create tags consistently.

• Set up a live dashboard in GA4

Build or clone a report that shows:

• Revenue by campaign
• Landing page performance
• Conversion by device

If you’re using Shopify’s Google Analytics integration, check that it’s pulling Enhanced eCommerce data correctly.

• Prep your post-purchase surveys
  Ask customers how they found you—email, TikTok, referral, gift guide?

Tools like Quizify or Okendo embed right into Shopify’s checkout or thank-you page to launch post-purchase surveys.

Returns are part of shopping—handling them well brings customers back.

During the holidays, expectations shift. Shoppers assume longer windows, easier returns, and no-hassle exchanges—especially if they’re buying gifts.

Don’t wait until December to set this up.

📦 Here’s how to get ready:

• Extend your return window—but set limits

A clear, seasonal policy like:“Orders placed after Nov 1 can be returned until Jan 15.”

Builds trust and prevents gift returns from turning into disputes.

You can still exclude final sale items or personalized goods—just say so up front.

• Automate the returns process

Use tools that let customers start a return or exchange themselves. Bonus if they can pick between:

• Instant exchange
• Store credit
• Refund to the original payment

This reduces inbox volume and builds buyer confidence.

• Display return details early and often

Don’t hide it in your footer. Add return messaging:

• Below “Add to Cart”
  • “Worry-free returns. Always”
  • “Love it or return it—effortless.”
• In shipping FAQs
  • “Returns are easy with our simple process.”
  • “Need to return? Here’s how”
• On order confirmation emails
  • “Thanks for your order! Need a return? See details below.”
  • “Order confirmed! If you need to return, follow the steps below.”

Tools to streamline returns:

• Loop— Helps you create branded return and exchange flows that make the process easy for the team and your customers.
• Rich Returns — Set up return rules, exclusions, and automation to match your store’s policies and reduce manual work.
• AfterShip Returns — Give customers a simple, self-service way to start returns—ideal for small or lean teams.

Even with perfect prep, stuff breaks; Ads stall; Emails glitch, or a last-minute promo doesn’t convert.

That’s why the best stores go in with backup creative ready to deploy—fast.

Here’s how they stay calm when things go sideways:

• Have a backup ad set pre-built

Use Meta’s “ad sets off” feature or save them as drafts. If your primary ads burn out, pause and replace without scrambling.

Variations to prep:

• Different hooks
• Alternate product focus
• Retargeting-only fallback

• Pre-write alternate email flows

Things like:

• “BFCM Extension” email
• “We Broke the Internet” restock message
• Flash deal or last-chance offer

Use tools like Klaviyo or Omnisend to schedule or clone drafts.

• Duplicate your promo banners

Save 1–2 alternates with different urgency angles or CTAs. So if a sale underperforms, you can swap visuals in 60 seconds—not hours.

Q4 isn’t the time to migrate—but it’s the perfect time to take notes.

If your platform creaks under traffic, checkout starts breaking, or apps stop syncing, don’t ignore it.

Use the holiday rush as a stress test—and document everything.

Log these issues as they happen:

• Slow load times during peak hours or promo launches
• Glitchy apps (especially cart, search, or popups) that interrupt buying
• Drop-offs at checkout, especially on mobile
• Gaps in analytics—if you can’t trace campaign performance or ROI

Set a reminder now:

“Audit tech stack & explore Shopify migration — January 5, 2026”

That way, you’re ready to act after the rush—when budgets open up and you have real performance data in hand.