The countdown has begun! Black Friday 2024 is just around the corner, bringing the golden opportunity for small businesses to boost sales, attract new customers, and set the stage for holiday shoppers worldwide. We know for small business owners on Shopify, this day can make a substantial impact on revenue. But to fully benefit from black Friday shopping deals, it's best to start preparing your Black Friday marketing strategy as early as possible. With early preparation you can make your brand stand out and turn the Black Friday 2024 rush into a major win for your store.
Why Black Friday is Crucial for Small Businesses?
Black Friday is no longer just a sale, it has become one of the most anticipated shopping days that has gone global. For small businesses, it’s a chance to compete with larger retailers by offering unique products, personalised customer service, and tailored black Friday shopping deals. We've seen that a successful Black Friday can often set the tone for a strong holiday season. Our experience tells us that businesses that put in the effort to prepare see a lasting impact on their growth and customer loyalty.
Recommendations for Preparing for Black Friday
Make Shopping Seamless
As a small business, you have the opportunity to provide a smooth shopping experience to customers with refreshing Black Friday deals. Whilst large businesses will focus on low price points to drive volume, you can provide a more personalised experience for your shoppers. On Black Friday, customers expect an easy, frustration-free experience. So we suggest creating an enjoyable and relaxing shopping environment to stand out from the chaos. You should also think outside-the-box to devise ways to encourage them to interact with your products.
Set the Scene with Festive Visuals
To make your site stand out, decorate your store with Black Friday-themed visuals. Shoppers feel more excited if they see banners, pop-ups, and visuals that shout “special black Friday shopping deals and discounts.” We suggest creating a limited-time deal with Witty headlines, countdowns and clear promotions.
One of our client shared,
Adding festive visuals and countdowns helped us engage customers from the moment they landed on our site.
Understand What Customers Want
Are you wondering what your customers are expecting for Black Friday? Ask your customers, what they actually wants. Engage your customers with polls, surveys, or social media Q&As to give you a good indication of which specials you should be running. Asking your audience for their opinions will help you to tailor your promotions more personalised and make your customers feel valued.
Start Early Planning
Black Friday is all about planning and big savings. Customers are mainly looking for discounts, bundles and special offers, so it’s important to have your pricing strategy nailed down ahead of time. We suggest taking the time now to coordinate with your team, think about the compelling offers you want to run from customer service to fulfilment, so everyone is prepared. As we often say, “The earlier you start, the less surprises you’ll face on the big day.”
Email Marketing
Email marketing can be critical for driving traffic and conversions but they can be your best friend on Black Friday. Create an anticipation and remind customers of your upcoming deals by sending early-bird teasers. We recommend segmenting your email list to target loyal customers, first-time buyers, or past shoppers with tailored offers. In our experience, building a hype and establishing a sense of FOMO, encourage customers to drive engagement and conversions.
Payment Options
During Black Friday, time is critical for your shoppers. By offering multiple payment options such as PayPal, Apple Pay, or Klarna, you make it easier for customers to check out quickly. This flexibility not only improves customer satisfaction but can also reduce abandoned carts.
Brands That Shine During Black Friday 2024
Curious about what to expect from 2024? Brands that shine on Black Friday often leverage creative promotions and customer-centric experiences. We’ve seen some of the best offers in the 2023 sale, which could provide a glimpse of what to expect going into Black Friday 2024.
AO - £50 off all Windows laptops, £100 off Shark vacuum cleaners and £300 off Sony 4K TVs
John Lewis- £100 off on selected 4K TVs and home entertainment tech
Sky- Save on iPhone and Samsung mobile deals, plus superfast broadband
Very- £350 off on selected 4K TVs and £40 off the Apple AirPods Pro
Final Thoughts
By starting your planning and preparations early and focusing on what's going to make your brand shine and differentiate itself, you can ensure a successful BFCM season. We’ve seen time and time again that businesses who put in the preparation and planning are the ones who succeed. And if your strategy can thrive during this period, you can rest easy knowing 2025 will start off pretty breezy.
Now’s the time to act! Start preparing now, and get ready for the Black Friday 2024 rush!