Joshua D'Costa
Growth & Marketing
Nov 26, 2024
|
6
min
Table of Contents
Cyber Monday has grown over the years as much as Black Friday in popularity, especially in e-commerce and digital businesses.
People have been celebrating Cyber Monday since the early 2000s, on the Monday following ‘Thanksgiving’. It has now become an exclusive event for online products, driving a massive online audience.
This makes it a great opportunity for Indian SaaS companies to attract a global audience to establish long-term customer relationships through their digital businesses.
But let's first understand what exactly Cyber Monday is and its origin.
What is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is celebrated annually on the Monday following Thanksgiving on a global scale. Initially introduced in 2005 by the National Retail Federation (NRF) in the United States, Cyber Monday was designed to encourage consumers to shop online, offering exclusive discounts across a wide range of products and services.
Coincidentally, it started with the rise of internet shopping and aimed to extend the retail excitement of Black Friday into the digital realm.
History of Cyber Monday
The term Cyber Monday was introduced to capture the growing trend of online shopping, on the Monday right after Thanksgiving.
Early 2000s data reveals a spike in online sales as consumers returned to work after the holiday weekend, often browsing for deals from their office computers. This behavioral insight led to the formalization of Cyber Monday, which quickly became one of the largest online shopping days in the world. Over time, its popularity has spread globally, with retailers from countries like Canada, the UK, and Australia joining the event.
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday
Origin
Black Friday originated in the 1950s as a post-Thanksgiving in-store shopping day.
Cyber Monday was launched in 2005 to focus on online retail shopping.
Focus
Black Friday offers discounts on physical products like brick-and-mortar stores.
Cyber Monday deals are primarily for e-commerce platforms.
Consumer Experience
Black Friday is characterized by in-person shopping chaos.
Cyber Monday offers convenience and accessibility online.
Duration
Black Friday often extends into Black Friday weekend.
Cyber Monday is sometimes part of Cyber Week sales.
When do Cyber Monday deals start?
Cyber Monday deals officially start on Monday, December 2, 2024. Unofficially, you'll see sales coined Cyber Monday as early as Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Cyber Monday sales are more likely to continue throughout the week. Like Black Friday, it's more than just a single day of savings at this point.
What Makes Cyber Monday Crucial for Indian SaaS Businesses?
According to Business Standard India's SaaS sector is booming with predictions of becoming a $50 billion industry by 2030.
This growth is driven by competitive pricing, innovation, and the ability to cater to diverse industries. Cyber Monday, a day known for its online deals and heavy traffic, enables Indian SaaS startups to showcase their products on a global stage.
Here are 3 Reasons why Cyber Monday is beneficial for Indian SaaS Businesses:
1. High-Intent Buyers:
Cyber Monday attracts a global audience of high-intent buyers searching for discounts on software solutions to meet their business needs. This heightened readiness to purchase is an excellent conversion opportunity for Indian SaaS businesses.
By offering exclusive Cyber Monday deals such as discounted annual subscriptions, extended trial periods, or bundled services, SaaS companies can effectively capture this motivated audience.
2. Seasonal Budget Allocation:
As the year-end approaches, many companies review their budgets and look to allocate remaining funds strategically. Cyber Monday aligns perfectly with this timeline. Indian SaaS Founders can use this opportunity to position themselves as cost-effective alternatives to international competitors.
They can offer flexible pricing plans, localization features, and compliance with global standards, and make these solutions attractive to businesses in the United States, Europe, and beyond.
3. Brand Visibility:
Cyber Monday is a marketing event that can amplify your brand's visibility on a global stage. By participating in global sales events like Cyber Monday, Indian Saas Founders can enhance their credibility among international customers by showcasing their innovative solutions and establish a foothold in competitive markets.
A well-executed Cyber Monday campaign can generate word-of-mouth referrals, positive reviews, and social media buzz, creating lasting impressions that extends beyond the shopping season.
Benefits for Indian SaaS Founders
Market Expansion:
Cyber Monday presents an unique opportunity to tap into a global audience actively seeking tools to optimize their operations. With SaaS solutions gaining traction across industries like e-commerce, fintech, and remote work, Indian founders can penetrate underserved markets such as emerging economies and regions prioritizing affordable tech solutions.
Cost Advantage:
Indian SaaS founders can enjoy a unique edge in the global market by lower operational costs compared to Western counterparts.
By leveraging Cyber Monday, they can position their offerings as affordable alternatives to competitors, while highlighting value-added features like scalability, multi-language support, and customer service tailored to diverse time zones. This resonates particularly well with small-to-medium businesses and startups seeking budget-friendly yet reliable SaaS tools.
Building Recurring Revenue:
Cyber Monday is not just about one-time sales; it’s an opportunity to lock in long-term customers. Introduce offers like discounted annual subscriptions, extended trial periods, and loyalty rewards that can hook users into recurring revenue streams.
By focusing on customer retention Indian SaaS businesses can increase their financial sustainability.
Dodo Payments provides metered billing or subscription billing options, thereby creating opportunities for recurring customers & revenue.
Strategies to Capitalize on Cyber Monday
Tailored Offers for Global Audiences:
Customize deals for specific regions and demographics to significantly boost conversions.
For example:
You can offer discounts or free trial extensions targeting startups and small businesses in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
Time promotions to align with multiple time zones, ensuring no region misses out on your offers.
Localized Marketing:
Localized campaigns to establish deeper connections with target audiences:
Use culturally relevant messaging, such as references to local business challenges, to demonstrate a deeper understanding of market needs.
Highlight success stories from global clients to build trust and credibility, incorporate region-specific visuals and language in ad creatives to resonate with local buyers.
Pricing Transparency:
Transparency in pricing can reduce friction and boost customer confidence during the purchase process.
Display pricing in multiple currencies and offer detailed breakdowns of what’s included in subscription tiers.
Try to make your checkout process seamless, with support for local payment methods like clear tax compliance to make it easier for international buyers to complete transactions.
Digital Marketing Best Practices for Cyber Monday
Email Campaigns:
Announce upcoming deals through teaser emails, highlight specific benefits of your SaaS product, and create anticipation among your subscribers.
Use dynamic email sequences during Cyber Monday to engage users who abandon their carts or delay purchases.
Social Media Ads:
Social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter are crucial for running engaging campaigns, targeting decision-making small-business owners.
Use countdown timers in ad creatives to build urgency.
Highlight the unique value propositions of your product in visuals and copy, such as ease of use, cost savings, or scalability.
SEO and Paid Search:
Use high-intent keywords such as Cyber Monday deal, discounted SaaS tools etc. to optimize your website and landing pages.
Use long-tail keywords like best SaaS tools for startups on Cyber Monday to attract niche audiences.
Invest in PPC campaigns targeting globally searched terms.
Conclusion
This year's Cyber Monday can present more opportunities for Indian SaaS founders than ever before, as India’s SaaS sector is booming with each passing year.
Indian businesses can establish themselves as credible players in the international market,
By leveraging this opportunity with localized campaigns, strategic pricing, and targeting the right market.
Start planning your Cyber Monday strategy now!
As the right approach can turn one-time buyers into lifelong customers and elevate your brand’s visibility worldwide.
