If the holiday shopping season feels like a sprint and a marathon rolled into one, you’re not alone. Between Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Singles' Day, Christmas sales, and end-of-year clearances, it’s a high-stakes period where every message you send matters. The good news? With Viber Business Messages, you don’t have to shout to be heard—you just need to be smart, relevant, and present.Let’s walk through the real-world challenges brands face during peak shopping periods, how Viber Business Messages help solve them, and the best practices that will elevate your results—not just for a season, but for long-term customer growth.<h2>The problem: Noise, abandonment, and missed opportunities</h2>Every year, the shopping season delivers the same gift to brands: massive opportunity, wrapped in layers of complexity. You’re expected to stand out, stay relevant, and move fast—all while keeping the customer experience seamless. Every brand wants to capitalize on the shopping season, but a few common issues get in the way.&nbsp;<ul><li>One is message overload - consumers face endless promotions, emails, and ads to the point that most of it blurs together.</li><li>Another is cart abandonment, where customers start shopping but hesitate to complete the purchase, either due to distractions or uncertainty.</li><li>And then there’s post-sale silence, where the relationship ends with the transaction instead of continuing into loyalty.</li></ul>Traditional marketing channels often fall short in addressing these pain points in real-time. Emails may go unopened. Social feeds are crowded. SMS can feel intrusive. This is where <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/what-are-viber-business-messages/">Viber Business Messages</a> step in. Not to replace these channels, but to fill the gaps with instant, personalized, and two-way communication.<h2>The solution: Building real connections with Viber Business Messages</h2>Unlike one-way marketing blasts, Viber Business Messages are designed for conversation. They're rich, interactive, and personal, and sent directly on the channel your customers already trust and use daily.Whether you're sending out pre-sale invitations, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/effective-flash-sale-campaigns-with-viber-for-business/">last-minute flash deals</a>, or order updates, Viber enables you to:<ul><li>reach customers in real time</li><li>personalize offers based on behavior or profile</li><li>create frictionless paths to purchase</li><li>provide timely support throughout the shopping journey</li></ul>This conversational approach doesn’t just help you make a sale, it helps you start a relationship with customers who would otherwise be one-time or seasonal shoppers.<h2>Overcoming shopping season challenges with Viber</h2>Let’s talk through a few of the pain points that come up again and again, and how Viber helps you solve them in a smarter, more human way.First, there’s the problem of low visibility and engagement. You’ve probably spent hours crafting the perfect email campaign, only to see open rates hovering around 15%. Social media algorithms aren’t helping much either and your offers are fighting for attention in a crowded feed.With Viber, you’re not competing with cat videos or ads from five other brands. Your messages land in a trusted, familiar app, and because they’re native to the user experience, people open them. You’re not yelling into a void; you’re having a conversation in a space customers already engage with daily.Next comes the dreaded abandoned cart problem. It's rampant during the holidays when shoppers are browsing on the go, price-checking across sites, or just distracted by 17 tabs and three kids. With Viber, you can reconnect with those customers at just the right moment. You can send a friendly reminder like, “Still thinking about that leather backpack? 🎒 Here’s 10% off if you complete your order in the next hour.” This isn’t a cold follow-up, it’s a helpful nudge that respects the customer’s interest and time.And then there’s customer support overload. During peak season, your team is probably swamped. Calls or emails might get overlooked, responses are delayed, and customer satisfaction starts to dip. Viber Business Messages let you scale your support intelligently. You can route complex queries to live agents or deploy a chatbot with automated responses to FAQs (like return policies or delivery timelines) without forcing customers to switch channels. The result? Faster resolution, lower pressure on your team, and happier shoppers.Finally, consider the often-ignored issue of post-purchase silence. Many brands go quiet once the sale is done. But the truth is, this is when your relationship with the customer begins, not ends. With Viber, you can continue the conversation. Maybe you send a follow-up message like, “We hope you love your new smartwatch! ⌚ Here are some tips to get the most out of it.” Or, “Thanks for shopping with us—here’s a little something for your next order.” These thoughtful touches help turn one-time buyers into long-term customers.In short, Viber Business Messages are designed not just to broadcast, but to build connections. They solve real-world problems by giving you the tools to communicate like a person, not a program, which is what today’s customers are looking for.<h2>Shopping season personas: Which one are you?</h2>Shopping season success can look different for each brand, depending on which phase you decide to invest in. Let’s take a closer look at some of the strategies that have helped capture attention, build trust, and drive revenue during the busiest time of the year.<h3>The early bird</h3>Brands that know their customers well have the advantage of being one step ahead of the game. Leveraging your loyalty base and existing data can help you provide early access to sales or personalized recommendations based on previous purchases.The early birds will use Viber to send pre-sale offers to their most loyal customers before promotions go public, making them feel valued like they’re part of an exclusive club. This might look like a message saying “Our holiday gift sets are live for VIPs only - shop now before they sell out!” to create a sense of urgency and reward.And of course, personalized product recommendations shine during gifting season. Imagine a customer who bought a winter coat last year receiving a message suggesting matching gloves or scarves: “Still loving your coat? 🧣 Check out these new winter accessories curated just for you.” A tactic proven to increase AOV (average order value) and give your brand a more human touch.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1500/844;" src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0002_a5d7bb9a72.jpg" alt="Shopping season blog_graphics (5)_page-0002.jpg" srcset="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0002_a5d7bb9a72.jpg 245w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0002_a5d7bb9a72.jpg 500w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0002_a5d7bb9a72.jpg 750w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0002_a5d7bb9a72.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="844"><figcaption>Example of sending product promotions via Viber Business Messages</figcaption></figure><h3>The right-on-timer</h3>If you don’t get a head start, it’s never too late to join the game. Shopping season is all about timeliness like last-minute deals, catching the last item in stock, and bringing customers back for more just when they thought they had enough. Needless to say, timing is everything when it comes to the early winter months.&nbsp;The <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/effective-flash-sale-campaigns-with-viber-for-business/">real-time flash deal</a> tactic is one of the most powerful ways to stay top-of-mind during weekend shopping frenzies. Sending time-sensitive messages such as, “⏳ 4 hours only! Buy 1 get 1 free on all outdoor gear. Tap to claim your deal.” with interactive buttons can lead to hundreds of customers immediately jumping to your site, skipping any unnecessary friction.Back-in-stock alerts are another high-performing way to increase sales. Let’s say a particular pair of headphones sold out quickly after an initial promo. Once they’re available again, you can instantly notify interested customers with something like, “They’re back! 🎧 Your favorite wireless headphones just restocked. Tap here before they’re gone again.” On Viber, this kind of direct, timely messaging feels helpful, not spammy.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1500/844;" src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0003_f05caf10c6.jpg" alt="Shopping season blog_graphics (5)_page-0003.jpg" srcset="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0003_f05caf10c6.jpg 245w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0003_f05caf10c6.jpg 500w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0003_f05caf10c6.jpg 750w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0003_f05caf10c6.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="844"><figcaption>Example of sending a back-in-stock alert via Viber Business Messages</figcaption></figure><h3>The supportive friend</h3>Flash deals and early bird sales might increase in-the-moment purchases, but what makes customer journeys on Viber unique is the power of proactive support.&nbsp;Instant, two-way conversations make it easier for you to communicate delivery times, product details, return and refund policies, and more <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.forbusiness.viber.com/en/blog/post/viber-chatbots-everything-you-need-to-know/">through a chatbot</a> or an agent. So instead of waiting hours for a reply, customers receive personalized help that’s fast and easy.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1500/844;" src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0004_e9517f7e60.jpg" alt="Shopping season blog_graphics (5)_page-0004.jpg" srcset="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0004_e9517f7e60.jpg 245w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0004_e9517f7e60.jpg 500w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0004_e9517f7e60.jpg 750w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_5_page_0004_e9517f7e60.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="844"><figcaption>Example of providing two-way customer support on Viber</figcaption></figure><h2>Best Practices for shopping season success with Viber Business Messages</h2>Getting the most out of Viber Business Messages during the shopping season isn’t just about what you say—it’s also about how and when you say it. Here are some tried-and-tested best practices to help your campaigns not only land, but perform.<ol><li>Start early, don’t rush it: Don’t wait until Black Friday to start messaging. Use Viber to build anticipation with teaser messages, sneak previews, or early-access offers for loyal customers. This helps build momentum and avoids overwhelming your audience all at once.</li><li>Segment your audience thoughtfully: Not every shopper is the same. Segment based on behavior (past purchases, browsing history), location, or engagement level. A VIP shopper might appreciate early access, while a new subscriber might need a welcome discount to convert.</li><li>Use pre-filled quick replies and buttons: Reduce friction by giving customers clear paths to take action. Buttons like “Shop Now,” “See More,” or “Claim Discount” drive clicks. Quick replies can streamline communication and make conversations feel more interactive.</li><li>Keep it short and impactful: Attention spans are short during peak season. Your message should be immediately clear: what’s the offer, why should they care, and what should they do next? Add an image or product preview to grab attention and clearly display your offers.</li><li>Personalize whenever possible: Use their name. Reference their recent activity. Mention items they’ve browsed or similar products. Personalization is a way to show that you’re paying attention, which customers appreciate.</li><li>Time your messages strategically: Monitor when your customers are most likely to engage (for example, during lunch breaks, after work, or weekend mornings) and schedule your messages accordingly. Viber’s delivery reports and analytics can help you refine this over time.</li><li>Use rich media wisely: Images, carousels, and even short videos can make your message pop. But don’t overload it because too many visuals can distract from what you’re really offering.</li><li>Automate the basics: Use a chatbot or automated flow to handle FAQs like “What’s your return policy?” or “When will my order ship?” Free up your team to focus on more complex or high-value conversations.</li><li>Respect frequency and avoid fatigue: More isn’t always better. Over-messaging during a busy season can push users to mute or unsubscribe. A well-planned sequence of 2–3 timely messages often performs better than daily updates.</li><li>Test, learn, and adapt: Use A/B testing to try different copy, images, or timings. Viber’s analytics help you quickly see what’s working so you can iterate fast and stay ahead of the curve</li></ol><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:1500/844;" src="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/Shopping_season_blog_graphics_2_page_0005_8ac8cfe7ec.jpg" alt="Shopping season blog_graphics (2)_page-0005.jpg" srcset="https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/thumbnail_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_2_page_0005_8ac8cfe7ec.jpg 245w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/small_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_2_page_0005_8ac8cfe7ec.jpg 500w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/medium_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_2_page_0005_8ac8cfe7ec.jpg 750w,https://env-stage-hosting.s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/large_Shopping_season_blog_graphics_2_page_0005_8ac8cfe7ec.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="844"><figcaption>Best practices for shopping season success with Viber Business Messages</figcaption></figure><h2>Grow more than sales this shopping season</h2>Yes, the shopping season is a big revenue opportunity. But it’s also a brand moment. A time when customer expectations are high, and your responsiveness, personalization, and presence can set you apart.With Viber Business Messages, you're not just sending promotions. You're starting conversations, providing value, solving problems, and making it easier for customers to choose you, again and again. So whether you’re preparing for Black Friday, end-of-year clearance, or gearing up for a holiday gift rush, remember: the best shopping season strategy isn’t the loudest. It’s the most thoughtful, timely, and personal.Make this season your most meaningful and successful one yet. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://share.hsforms.com/7451889/844b64f4-4c98-4d6b-818f-165a36de8b2f">Talk to us!</a>

Grow your loyalty base, not just sales, this shopping season with Viber Business Messages. Learn more!

Shopping season best practices with Viber Business Messages

Grow customer loyalty during peak shopping season with Viber. Learn how!

Shopping season best practices with Viber Business Messages

Tags

Related posts

Viber Carousel Messages: Why, when, and how to use them

Viber List Messages: Get actionable feedback with just one tap

Rakuten Viber expands Business Messaging suite with new Carousel and List message features