I Asked Business Owners To Share Their Black Friday Advice

From my perspective, this year we have placed a strong accent on the analysis of big data. We had an analysis of the previous year’s sales in order to estimate demand for specific products, based on this we have supplied the warehouses, as well as launched the email and social media marketing activities. Also, we continue working on the website – making sure it is easy to use and the checkout process is efficient to limit the chances of shopping cart abandonment.

In preparation for Black Friday this year, my business – The Trade Table – focused on efficient inventory management and optimizing our ecommerce platform’s performance. We started to forecast demands about three months prior by analyzing previous sales data and trends, which helped us understand exactly what our customers will be looking for. Additionally, ahead of the rush, we’ve spent considerable time stress-testing our website bandwidth to avoid crashes during the shopping spree.

This year, we have initiated our Black Friday preparations well in advance by analyzing customer behaviors of previous years and highlighting the most bought products and features. We’ve made sure that our inventories are full stock, especially our high-demand ride-on cars and push cars; we have optimized our website for smooth shopping. Aside from this, we have pumped a lot into running marketing campaigns via social and email channels to curate excitement among our customers. Our team has also trained on the lines of receiving an overwhelming response in form of orders and inquiries from customers, which would keep intact every single customer’s expectation from KidsVip.

Preparing for Black Friday 2024 has been a challenge yet exciting at Eyeglasses.com. We adopted a two-pronged approach – technology and extensive planning. We leveraged our patented Virtual Try On technology allowing customers to virtually try on glasses for a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience, reducing returns and making purchases more deliberate. Understanding that the holiday rush can cause website traffic spikes, we’ve also made sure our IT infrastructure is robust and can handle the surge without hitches.

We collaborated with influencers to showcase our bestsellers in 3D puzzles and wooden handicrafts, raising awareness of the craftsmanship and creativity defining our brand. We also improved the user experience of the website to make navigation smooth and checkouts swift, particularly at peak times. We also stocked up on our bestsellers in preparation for expected demand; proper inventory planning is important to any successful shopping season.

We’re effectively leveraging our website and social media channels to reach out and communicate our deals well ahead. Moreover, robust inventory management and aligning our staffing needs to meet the increased demand has been a key aspect of our preparation.

At Nerdigital.com, we approached Black Friday 2024 with a clear focus on personalization and preparation. We began by analyzing last year’s data to identify trends, popular offerings, and customer preferences. This helped us fine-tune our promotions, ensuring they catered to our audience’s needs. To maximize efficiency, we ramped up automation – scheduling email campaigns, optimizing our website for speed, and setting up inventory alerts to prevent stockouts. Additionally, we prioritized customer communication by offering live chat support throughout the sales period, ensuring buyers felt valued and informed.

Collaborations were another key focus. By partnering with complementary businesses, we were able to co-promote offers, which expanded our reach while keeping marketing costs manageable.

At InboxArmy, we doubled down on segmentation and personalization this year. We focused on creating emails that were specific to the behaviors of our customers rather than launching general campaigns. Regular buyers got loyalty perks, while first-time shoppers were drawn in with introductory offers. We started teasing deals weeks ahead to build momentum. Testing subject lines and designs early also helped us fine-tune everything before the big day.

Think post-Black Friday. It’s easy to focus on the sales day itself, but retention strategies matter more. For example, we added small “Thank You” notes with QR codes to every Black Friday order, directing customers to a VIP loyalty program. Most of those buyers returned for the holidays, spending even more.

The lesson from experience that I took out of my marketing career, is that it is better to start planning earlier than you think, mold campaigns much earlier. For example, two months are enough. And the customers – do not underestimate the importance of communicating with them – letting them know in advance about promotions increases their interest and sense of loyalty.

If there’s one piece of advice I wish I knew earlier, it would be the importance of building a detailed promotional calendar. Knowing when and what to promote means you can create a laser-focused marketing strategy which, in my experience, significantly boosts sales.

One key lesson I learned is the power of early planning and strong supplier relationships. Previously, we faced issues with delayed shipments, which can be detrimental during Black Friday. Now we partner with reliable suppliers and have contingency plans to ensure prompt delivery and meet customer expectations.

One thing I really wish I had known about Black Friday is how important it is to have a detailed post-event strategy in place. It’s not only about maximizing sales on that day, but also retaining new customers and forging long-term relationships. In the earlier years, we were so focused on the big day itself that we lost some opportunities to follow up effectively with the customers later on. Now we concentrate on nurturing those relationships with personalized offers and updates that keep them engaged long after the Black Friday rush.

One valuable lesson we’ve learned: communication is key. Timely communication about sales, discounts, or specific product availabilities is crucial. It’s not just about having superior deals but also conveying them effectively to interested consumers.

You really need to start your preparations months in advance. The secret to success on Black Friday is not just about the actual sale day but rather about creating a robust marketing and operational plan well in advance. It means that having a clear promotion strategy, keeping your inventory in order, and having a smooth logistic setup will avert chaos at the last minute and ensure maximum sales without any denting of customer satisfaction. Knowing your audience and offering deals in the way they want also helps to be on top during this competitive time.

If I were to bestow a piece of advice based on past experiences, it would be to not underestimate the power of pre-Black Friday marketing. Early communication with potential customers can create a solid foundation of excitement and anticipation.

The importance of a pre-Black Friday warm-up campaign can’t be overstated. Early buzz matters. In the past, I underestimated how much pre-launch efforts – like sneak peeks, VIP deals, and countdowns – drive sales. Building anticipation is crucial; it ensures your audience is already primed and eager to shop when the big day arrives.

Also, it’s essential to have a contingency plan for tech glitches. Website crashes or payment processing issues can turn a successful day into a nightmare, so investing in robust infrastructure and backup systems is a lessen I learned the hard way.

I should have acquired this knowledge sooner. You should start running ads sooner rather than later. Black Friday today spans an entire shopping season rather than only one day. Up until now, I didn’t understand the necessity of creating a runway for promotions. I believe everyone should start planting seeds by mid-October: boost excitement with countdowns, distribute priceless resources, or tease goodies.

Timing makes or breaks Black Friday campaigns. A few years ago, we started too late and lost a lot of potential customers who had already spent their budget. Now, I know that warming up your audience early is key. Teasers, reminders, and early access offers get people ready to buy when the deals drop.

We’re focusing on alternative payment options. With more customers using buy-now-pay-later platforms, we’re optimizing our checkout for seamless integration. Additionally, we’re building limited-edition collaborations with other brands, which we’ll launch as Black Friday exclusives offering something no one else can.

The biggest lesson? Treat Black Friday as a stepping stone, not the finish line. It’s a chance to build long-term relationships while making the day memorable.

As for next year, my business will continue to improve our customer service efforts. We’re planning to implement instant chat support and aim to further streamline the shopping process to ensure maximum customer satisfaction. Preparation, anticipation, and early action are all crucial in successfully managing the Black Friday season.

For the next year, we are already considering ways to make the process even smoother for us as well as the customer experience. This also encompasses the use of advanced logistics to enable faster shipping of products and the addition of many more exclusive products to meet various tastes. We also intend to take elaborate feedback from this year’s Black Friday customers in order to articulate strategies. We’ll continue to use big data and stay ahead of the trends to make next year’s shopping season even more successful for both our customers and our team.

Looking ahead to the next year, we’re focused on personalizing the shopping experience for our customers by utilizing data analysis to understand their preferences better. We’re aiming to make every customer feel valued and understood, transcending beyond the transactional nature of Black Friday.

We are already collecting feedback and cross-examining this year’s Black Friday to fine-tune our next year’s performance. Data-driven insights help us understand customer preferences and identify areas for improvement, whether it’s optimizing discounts, upgrading our online platform, or streamlining shipping processes. We’re also planning to expand our product range with fresh designs and unique themes to keep our offerings exciting. Furthermore, we’re investing in technology, like AI-driven personalization tools, to deliver tailored recommendations to customers, ensuring they find exactly what they’re looking for during the busy shopping season.

Looking ahead to Black Friday 2025, we’re placing a significant emphasis on sustainability and long-term customer engagement. One strategy is building “evergreen” campaigns that can be customized year-round but ramped up for holiday sales, saving time and ensuring consistent messaging. We’re also doubling down on retention strategies, like exclusive deals for loyal customers and post-sale follow-ups to convert one-time buyers into repeat customers. Additionally, we plan to expand our use of AI-driven analytics to predict buying patterns and tailor promotions even more effectively.

Lastly, as consumer preferences evolve, we’re exploring creative approaches like shoppable livestreams and curated bundles to stand out in a crowded market. By starting our preparations early, we’re not just aiming to make the most of Black Friday 2025, but to build a foundation for sustained success throughout the year.

We’re already looking at this year’s data to plan better for next year. Patterns emerge fast – what clicked, what didn’t, and how we can do more of what worked. Next year, we’re leaning into more SMS campaigns to complement email and using AI tools to create even more personalized offers.

Black Friday success is all about preparation and adaptability. After all, the earlier you start and the more you refine, the smoother the season runs – and the better the results. So do not underestimate this, it’s something I’ve learned the hard way.