Interview with Filippo Bova: Why Q5 is an opportunity no e-commerce business should miss.

In an ever-evolving eCommerce world, learning from the best is essential. That’s why we spoke with Filippo Bova, Founder of Next2Ad and eCommerce Expert, to uncover the secrets of Q5, a period that, if leveraged properly, can truly make a difference for any online business.

Why do you think Q5 is a crucial strategic phase for eCommerce?

The post-holiday period, known as Q5, is a strategic opportunity for eCommerce, as highlighted by some researches. After the holidays, many consumers continue to shop for themselves, taking advantage of post-holiday offers, end-of-season sales, and gift cards received during the holidays, applying them to discounts. In this context, targeted marketing campaigns, such as limited-time promotions and gamification strategies, can encourage purchases and strengthen brand loyalty, making post-holiday offers even more attractive. Moreover, the brand loyalty established during the holiday season becomes crucial in driving repeat purchases. Consumers are more likely to return to brands they’ve had positive experiences with, taking advantage of loyalty programs and personalized discounts. Finally, eCommerce meets the growing preference for the convenience of online shopping, where consumers can easily compare prices, find great deals, and capitalize on post-holiday promotions.

CPM nel Q5 (esempio su account pubblicitario Meta Ads di Next2Ad)

Lower CPMs provide the opportunity to significantly increase the advertising budget, allowing businesses to acquire new customers and retain existing ones at a lower cost compared to peak periods like Black Friday and Christmas.

CPA in Q5 (example on Meta Ads advertising account of Next2Ad)

CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) are also lower, ensuring greater efficiency. Of course, the goal should always be to leverage Q5 (and any other time of the year) intelligently, without wasting budget, while prioritizing the growth and profitability of an eCommerce .

What are the specific advantages of launching new campaigns in Q5?

In Q5, consumers are particularly on the lookout for deals and discounts. Platforms like Meta and TikTok are perfect for reaching these buyers, thanks to lower costs and attractive conversion rates. According to a 2022 Meta study, CPMs during the post-holiday period drop by 15%, while CPA decreases by 4%. This happens because competition in advertising auctions is reduced.

Source Meta

How to make the most of Q5?

To make the most of this period, there are a few key levers to consider. First, with low CPM , high CTR, and strong conversion rates, missing this opportunity means wasting a growth chance. The potential is at its peak thanks to reduced costs and an audience still inclined to make purchases. Discounts and offers are the strategic focus of this period. However, it’s important to avoid replicating November and December promotions. We need to offer diversified and targeted deals that capture attention and stand out from those of Black Friday or Christmas. This is complemented by a well-structured email marketing strategy: segment the CRM to prepare the audience with pre-launch messages announcing discounts, and during the launch, use messages that create urgency and scarcity to drive conversions. From an advertising perspective, platforms like Meta and TikTok are essential to reach customers actively waiting for discounts. Many eCommerce businesses overlook or fail to fully leverage this period, which represents an opportunity to gain new market share. Creatives must be designed with a clear focus on discounts and offers, highlighting these elements to immediately capture consumer interest. Q5 is also ideal for customer acquisition, thanks to lower advertising costs, which allow for more efficient scaling of the ad budget. Finally, with lower CPC, it’s possible to increase margins and significantly improve ROI, making this period a true accelerator for eCommerce profitability.

In summary

Leveraging Q5 not only means continuing to sell, but doing so intelligently and strategically, with planning and execution that lead to an optimized financial return. The importance of this phase lies in the ability to take advantage of a relatively quiet yet fertile period, where growth can happen without the pressure of the intense competition from the previous periods.