Black Friday Marketing: 15 Best Strategies to Sell More
Black Friday is a key sales event. It lets online businesses boost profits, attract customers, and strengthen loyalty.
Every entrepreneur knows a good marketing plan can make or break a Black Friday campaign.
Developing a strategic marketing plan is important to maximize ROI.
For example, small businesses are having close to a 20% increase in sales during the Black Friday weekend.
In this article, we’ve put together the top 15 of the best Black Friday marketing strategies. They include practical tips to help you avoid overspending your marketing budget and sell even more.
Read on to discover them!
Why Implement a Marketing Strategy During Black Friday
Black Friday is key for retailers, especially e-commerce firms. It’s a day when consumers want to spend.
And they expect big discounts and great deals.
This is a chance for business owners to sell as much as possible. They can maximize profits, gain customers, and grow their brands.
However, without a well-developed marketing strategy, it will not be possible.
That’s what practice says.
15 Best Black Friday Marketing Strategies to Sell More
1. Email Marketing Campaigns
Email marketing is still one of the best ways to reach a targeted audience, especially for the Black Friday period.
A good email campaign will keep subscribers tuned for:
- Black Friday sales
- Exclusive offers
- And special deals.
Why implement this strategy:
A clear call to action (CTA) and personalized content with creative email marketing ideas can drive engagement and conversions.
In fact, button-based CTAs improve click-through rates by over 120%. This approach boosts revenue and increases customer retention.
Companies implementing this strategy: Amazon, Macy’s, Best Buy, Sephora, Zara
2. Exclusive Early Access to VIP Customers
Early access to Black Friday deals for loyal customers creates exclusivity. It makes them feel valued.
Plus, it helps in rewarding repeat buyers and encourages them to engage with the sale early.
Why implement this strategy:
This strategy keeps businesses from losing their best customers in the Black Friday days.
Early access creates urgency gives VIP customers a head start and drives quick sales.
Companies implementing this strategy: Sephora, Nordstrom, Lululemon, Urban Outfitters
3. Countdown Timers on Landing Pages
Adding countdown timers on Black Friday is also one of the best black Friday marketing strategies.
When customers see time is running out, they are more likely to buy to avoid missing out.
Why implement this strategy:
Urgency is a powerful psychological trigger. It prompts shoppers to make impulse buys on Black Friday, preventing cart abandonment.
Countdown timers greatly enhance conversion rates.
Companies implementing this strategy: Shopify Stores, Target, H&M, ASOS, Walmart
4. Social Media Teasers and Ads
Using Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to hype the sale can build anticipation.
A series of teaser posts, combined with paid ads, can help increase visibility.
Why implement this strategy:
Social media is where potential customers spend a lot of their time. Teasing upcoming deals or products is a great way to stay top of mind as Black Friday approaches.
Engaging content will boost brand awareness and drive website traffic on sale day.
Companies implementing this strategy: Nike, Samsung, Fashion Nova, Apple
5. Limited-Time Free Shipping Offers
Free shipping for a limited time is among the best Black Friday marketing strategies as it can prompt fence-sitters to purchase the offered product.
Why implement this strategy:
Shipping costs can be one of the most unexpected reasons to abandon customers’ carts. Offering free shipping removes this barrier and can lead to a higher conversion rate.
Companies implementing this strategy: Nordstrom, Amazon, Walmart
6. Influencer Partnerships
Working with influencers to promote Black Friday deals can expand your reach.
Influencers share your offers with their followers, helping to increase brand visibility.
Have a look at this video for more insights about influencer marketing along with some examples:
Why implement this strategy:
Influencers build trust with their audience.
Align your brand with the right influencer. Use their credibility to gain new customers and boost Black Friday sales.
Companies implementing this strategy: Fashion Nova, Boohoo, Gymshark, Samsung, Sephora
7. Bundle Deals and Discounts
Bundle deals encourage customers to buy multiple items. They are cheaper than buying the items separately.
And this strategy increases the average order value (AOV).
Why implement this strategy:
Bundle deals give the perception of greater value, motivating shoppers to spend more. It’s an effective way to move inventory and increase revenue during the sales days.
Companies implementing this strategy: Best Buy, Walmart, Target, GameStop
You may also like: Local SEO for Moving Companies: 7 Best Strategies
8. Flash Sales
Flash sales are time-sensitive deals that every customer loves.
Usually, they last for a few hours at most but can create excitement and urgency among customers.
Why implement this strategy:
Flash sales can create a buzz on social media. They attract impulse buyers and boost website traffic during peak Black Friday hours.
Companies implementing this strategy: Target, Amazon, Best Buy, Macy’s, Walmart
9. User-Generated Content Campaigns
Encouraging customers to share their purchases on social media is a good way to build media trust.
Ask them to use hashtags or tag your brand. Use this user-generated content (UGC) in marketing to boost brand trust.
Why implement this strategy:
UGC is more authentic than ads. Customers trust and engage with fellow shoppers’ content more. It’s an affordable way to build brand awareness during Black Friday.
Companies implementing this strategy: Starbucks, Glossier, Apple, Sephora, Adidas
10. Retargeting Ads
Retargeting ads remind previous website visitors about their abandoned deals. These ads follow users across the web, keeping your brand top of mind.
Why implement this strategy:
Retargeting helps recover lost sales. It targets potential customers who have shown interest in your products.
This strategy improves ROI by increasing conversions from previous visitors.
Companies implementing this strategy: Macy’s, Amazon, Nike, ASOS
11. Google Ads and Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
Run Google Ads targeting Black Friday keywords. This will show your business in searches for deals. Bid on high-intent keywords like “Black Friday deals on electronics” to drive traffic to your site.
Why implement this strategy:
Search engine marketing puts your brand in front of customers.
In fact, this is one of the best Black Friday marketing strategies in practice. It’s quite helpful, especially if a new product is on the market.
Or, for instance, the product has been upgraded and the new version is available on the market.
Companies implementing this strategy: Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Kohl’s
12. Creating Dedicated Black Friday Landing Pages
A Black Friday deals landing page will help customers. It will let them find and buy your offers without navigating multiple pages.
Why implement this strategy:
A dedicated Black Friday landing page streamlines the customer experience and increases conversions.
It also improves SEO by targeting specific keywords (LSIs, long-tail keywords, etc.) related to Black Friday.
Companies implementing this strategy: Best Buy, Amazon, Target
13. Live Chat Support for Shoppers
On Black Friday, live chat support lets customers quickly fix issues before buying.
Why implement this strategy:
Live chat can lower cart abandonment since it helps answer last-minute questions.
This ensures customers don’t leave your site without buying.
So it leads to a better user experience as well.
Companies implementing this strategy: Zappos, ASOS, Best Buy, Walmart
14. Mobile-Optimized Websites
With more mobile shoppers, your website must be optimized for mobile. This includes fast loading times, easy navigation, and a smooth checkout process.
Why implement this strategy:
A poor mobile experience can drive potential customers away. Optimizing your site for mobile lets users shop easily on their phones or tablets. This will boost sales on Black Friday.
Companies implementing this strategy: Zara, Walmart, Target, ASOS
15. Referral Programs
69% of employers have an employee referral program.
Incentives for customers to refer friends or family on Black Friday are a great way to boost sales. Customers can share unique referral links to earn discounts on their next purchase.
Why implement this strategy:
Referral programs turn your customers into brand ambassadors. They help you expand your reach without a big marketing budget. It’s an excellent way to increase revenue and customer base simultaneously.
Companies implementing this strategy: Dropbox, Everlane, Airbnb, Uber, Casper
Some Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to Track
To measure a Black Friday campaign’s success, business owners should track KPIs. These show sales performance and customer engagement.
Some important KPIs include:
1. Conversion Rate
The conversion rate measures the percentage of visitors who make a purchase.
A higher conversion rate means the marketing strategy is effective. It turned website traffic into revenue.
A low conversion rate may mean your deals weren’t compelling enough.
Or, for example, your user experience fell short.
2. Average Order Value (AOV)
AOV shows how much customers spend on average in a single transaction.
This is important for brands with bundle deals or discounts to boost sales.
If you boost AOV, you will maximize revenue without increasing traffic.
3. Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC)
This metric helps businesses understand how much it costs to acquire a new customer.
On Black Friday, ad costs are high.
So, watch CAC – it ensures your marketing brings in new customers at a sustainable cost.
4. Return on Investment (ROI)
ROI measures the overall profitability of your Black Friday marketing strategy.
Here’s an infographic showing the Return on Investment (ROI) formula for financial and marketing projects:
If you compare revenue to marketing costs, you’ll be able to see if your black Friday marketing strategy is profitable or if you have more income than expenses.
5. Cart Abandonment Rate
The cart abandonment rate shows how many customers abandoned the checkout.
Overall, a high abandonment rate may signal issues with your checkout. These could be unexpected shipping costs, a cumbersome process, etc.
Amazon monitors their cart abandonment rate on Black Friday. They use retargeting ads to re-engage customers who did not complete their purchase.
Create your Black Friday digital marketing strategy with Onyx8
For entrepreneurs, a good Black Friday marketing plan isn’t rocket science.
However, some planning and knowledge are required to provide the desired results.
As a professional digital agency, our services include:
- Digital marketing strategy development
- End-to-end SEO services
- Website design and development
With these strategies, business owners will able to make their sales a bit easier.
For every project, we guarantee:
- Project ownership
- Total transparency
- Measurable results.
Contact us or simply fill in the form below to schedule a consultation.