Black Friday Checklist: 8 Steps to Maximize Online Sales

Black Friday is the biggest shopping rush of the year—and Shopify stores are hitting new records. During the 2024 BFCM weekend, Shopify merchants sold $11.5 billion in products across the globe—about 24% more than the same period in 2023. Over 76 million shoppers bought something from a well-built Shopify-powered store.

In one minute, sales topped $4.6 million per minute worldwide. The average shopping cart on Shopify during that weekend was about $108.56. [Data Source: Shopify]

With numbers like that, getting your store ready ahead of Black Friday isn’t just smart—it can make the difference between making a few extra sales and having your best weekend ever. Let’s see this Black Friday checklist for eCommerce store owners that can’t be missed.

Step 1: Start With Early Planning for BFCM

Black Friday sales don’t just rely on flashy discounts or catchy ads. The stores that perform best are the ones that plan. Shoppers come prepared with lists, but if your store isn’t ready, you could miss out. Starting early helps you avoid mistakes, stockouts, and last-minute stress.

Analyze Last Year’s Performance

Begin by reviewing your store’s data from the previous Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Focus on:

• Sales revenue – Which products drove the highest revenue?
• Traffic sources – Where did most visitors come from (Google Ads, social media, email campaigns)?
• Cart abandonment rates – How many shoppers left before completing a purchase?
• Customer feedback – Did customers face issues with shipping or checkout?

This analysis gives you a roadmap. For instance, if your abandoned cart rate was high, you may need better checkout design or cart-recovery emails this year.

Also Read: Challenges Faced During Shopify Migration

Forecast Demand and Set Clear Goals

Black Friday is unpredictable, but data trends help forecast demand. Look at:

• Previous holiday season sales.
• Products trending in your category.
• Competitor promotions from last year.

Based on this, set clear goals like “Increase revenue by 20%” or “Reduce abandoned carts by 15%.” These targets keep your team focused during the rush.

Finalize Inventory and Suppliers in Advance

Stockouts are a common reason shoppers leave during Black Friday. Imagine offering a “50% Off” deal, only to run out of stock halfway through the sale. Prevent this by:

• Confirming purchase orders with suppliers weeks in advance.
• Setting stock alerts on Shopify to track low inventory.
• Considering backup suppliers in case of delays.

Also, check packaging supplies and delivery timelines. A strong supply chain setup makes sure customers get their orders on time—something they value during holiday shopping.

Step 2: Optimize Your Shopify Store for Speed and Performance

When Black Friday traffic hits, even a small slowdown can cost sales. Shoppers have many options, and if your store takes too long to load, they’ll leave without buying. Preparing your Shopify store for speed and performance is one of the most important steps.

Test Loading Speed and Mobile Responsiveness

Over 70% of Black Friday purchases happen on mobile devices. If your store isn’t fast on phones, you risk losing the majority of shoppers. Use tools like Google PageSpeed Insights or Shopify’s built-in reports to check:

• How quickly does your homepage load?
• Whether product images slow the site down.
• If mobile navigation feels smooth and intuitive.

Compress images, reduce redirects, and test checkout on different devices to make sure every page loads quickly.

Remove Unnecessary Apps or Scripts

Every extra app you install can add code that slows down your store. Before Black Friday:

• Audit all installed apps.
• Remove the ones you no longer use.
• Check if mulSteple apps are overlapping in functionality (for example, two upsell apps).

If certain features are important, look for lightweight apps or Shopify-native options to keep your site lean.

Check Hosting and Shopify Plan Readiness

Shopify automatically handles scaling for large sales events, but your plan may still limit certain features. For instance:

• Basic plans may not include advanced reporting or international pricing.
• Higher-tier plans like Shopify Plus support larger order volumes and faster checkout.

If you expect heavy traffic, speak with Shopify support to confirm that your store is ready for a sales spike.

Step 3: Create Irresistible Black Friday Offers

Black Friday shoppers expect deals. But with so many stores competing for attention, you need offers that stand out. Instead of slashing prices randomly, design discounts and bundles that appeal to both new and returning customers.

Discount Structures That Work

Shoppers are motivated by clarity. Complicated discounts confuse them. Here are proven approaches:

• Percentage discounts – e.g., “30% Off Sitewide” or “40% Off on Selected Items.”
• Buy One, Get One (BOGO) – encourages higher order values and helps clear stock.
• Tiered discounts – spend more, save more. Example: “Spend $50, Get 10% Off; Spend $100, Get 20% Off.”

Tiered offers work well during Black Friday because shoppers are already in a buying mood.

Limited-Time Deals and Flash Sales

Urgency pushes people to act. Running flash sales at specific hours can create excitement and bring shoppers back mulSteple times in a day. Examples include:

• Early bird deals for the first 100 buyers.
• Hourly product drops with heavy discounts.
• Short window offers—“Valid for the next 3 hours only.”

Adding countdown timers on product pages or banners makes the urgency visible.

Gift Cards and Free Shipping Offers

Sometimes, not every shopper knows what to buy. Offering gift cards lets them spend later while you lock in revenue during Black Friday.

Free shipping is another powerful incentive. Studies show shoppers abandon carts if shipping feels too expensive. Even offering free shipping above a minimum spend (e.g., orders over $75) can increase the average order value.

Step 4: Improve Your Store Design and User Experience

On Black Friday, shoppers are in a hurry. They want deals, fast navigation, and an easy checkout. A confusing store design can drive them away, no matter how good your discounts are. Preparing your store’s design and user journey helps shoppers stay engaged and complete their purchase.

Use Black Friday Banners and Countdown Timers

Visual cues grab attention. Add banners at the top of your homepage and product pages announcing the sale. Pair them with countdown timers to show urgency—“Sale Ends in 12:45:30.” This keeps buyers aware that the offer won’t last forever.

Simplify the Navigation and Checkout Process

A long or complicated checkout is one of the biggest reasons shoppers abandon carts. Before Black Friday:

• Test your checkout flow on both desktop and mobile.
• Reduce the number of form fields.
• Enable guest checkout to avoid unnecessary barriers.
• Offer mulSteple payment options, including wallets and BNPL (Buy Now, Pay Later).

Also, make sure navigation is clean. Group products into sale categories like “Black Friday Deals” so shoppers can find them quickly.

Highlight Best-Selling and Seasonal Products

Many shoppers buy based on trust. Featuring best-selling items builds confidence, while seasonal items (holiday gifts, bundles, limited editions) attract impulse buyers. Add “Bestseller” or “Hot Deal” badges on product images to guide attention.

This not only improves conversion rates but also helps you move inventory strategically.

Step 5: Strengthen Marketing & Promotions

No matter how attractive your deals are, shoppers won’t find them unless you spread the word. A strong marketing plan builds excitement before Black Friday and keeps customers engaged during the sale.

Email Campaigns and Customer Segmentation

Email remains one of the most effective sales drivers. Instead of sending the same message to everyone, segment your customers:

• Repeat buyers – send them early access offers.
• Cart abandoners – remind them with a discount code.
• New subscribers – welcome them with exclusive deals.

Send teaser emails a week before, and follow up with last-chance reminders as the sale ends.

SMS and Push Notifications for Urgency

Shoppers often miss emails but check their phones constantly. SMS or push notifications grab instant attention. For example:

• “Flash Sale – 50% off until 3 PM!”
• “Only 2 hours left to save big on your wishlist.”

Keep messages short, clear, and time-sensitive.

Paid Ads on Google, Meta, and TikTok

Paid advertising can drive huge traffic if done smartly. Run campaigns that highlight your best deals, and retarget visitors who abandoned their carts. Focus on:

• Google Shopping ads for product searches.
• Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ads for visual promotions.
• TikTok ads for reaching younger buyers looking for quick deals.

Budget for higher competition—ad costs usually rise during Black Friday.

Social Proof and Influencer Collaborations

Shoppers trust other people’s experiences. Display reviews, ratings, and user-generated content on product pages. Collaborating with influencers also works well—especially when they promote discount codes or flash sale alerts.

Even short Instagram stories or TikTok posts can create urgency and send buyers directly to your store.

Step 6: Prepare for Higher Traffic and Orders

Black Friday is exciting, but it can also overwhelm your store operations if you’re not ready. From stock levels to delivery timelines, you need systems in place to handle the surge without delays or mistakes.

Check Inventory Management & Stock Alerts

The last thing shoppers want is to place an order and later find out the item is out of stock. Use Shopify’s inventory tracking features to:

• Monitor stock levels in real-time.
• Set low-stock alerts for fast-moving products.
• Sync inventory across mulSteple sales channels (if you sell on Amazon, eBay, or social media).

This prevents overselling and keeps customers happy.

Automate Order Confirmations and Tracking

With hundreds of orders pouring in, manual tracking becomes impossible. Automating confirmations and shipping updates saves time and builds trust. Enable:

• Automatic order confirmation emails.
• Tracking links are sent directly after dispatch.
• Delivery notifications for customers at every step.

This reduces customer support requests and gives buyers peace of mind.

Coordinate With Fulfillment Partners

Whether you ship from your own warehouse or use third-party logistics, coordination is critical. Before Black Friday:

• Confirm cut-off times for order processing.
• Ensure staff or partners can handle extended hours.
• Keep backup packaging and labels ready.

If you use services like Shopify Fulfillment Network or local delivery partners, check their Black Friday readiness. A smooth shipping experience can turn first-time buyers into loyal customers.

Step 7: Build a Strong Customer Support System

During Black Friday, shoppers have high expectations. They want quick answers, easy returns, and reliable communication. A solid support system not only solves problems fast but also increases trust, which can lead to repeat business.

Use Shopify Chatbot or Live Chat

Customers often have questions about product details, shipping, or discounts. Adding a live chat option or an AI-powered chatbot makes it easy for them to get instant answers. This reduces cart abandonment caused by hesitation or confusion.

Prepare FAQ Pages for Quick Help

Not every customer wants to wait for chat responses. A well-structured FAQ page helps buyers find answers immediately. Cover topics like:

• Shipping timelines during Black Friday.
• Return and exchange policies.
• How to apply discount codes.

Keep FAQs updated and easy to access from the homepage and checkout page.

Offer Flexible Return and Exchange Policies

Holiday shopping often involves gifts, which means returns are common. A buyer-friendly return policy encourages people to shop with confidence. Consider:

• Extending return deadlines beyond the holiday season.
• Allowing exchanges for different sizes or colors.
• Making return instructions simple and visible.

Shoppers are more likely to buy if they know they can easily resolve issues later.

Step 8: Post-Black Friday Strategy

The rush doesn’t end once Black Friday is over. Many stores stop pushing after the sale, but that’s where opportunities begin. You can turn one-time shoppers into long-term customers if you plan smart follow-ups.

Upsell & Cross-Sell to New Customers

Black Friday brings a wave of first-time buyers. Don’t let them slip away. Send targeted emails offering:

• Accessories that match their purchase.
• Upgrades or premium versions of products.
• Bundle discounts for related items.

This builds higher lifetime value from each new customer.

Must Read: Upsell and Cross-Sell Strategies for Shopify Plus Checkout

Nurture Repeat Purchases with Loyalty Programs

Rewarding buyers increases the chance they’ll return. Simple loyalty programs include:

• Points for every dollar spent.
• Referral discounts for bringing in friends.
• Early access to upcoming sales.

Loyalty perks turn occasional shoppers into repeat customers, especially during the holiday season.

Analyze Data to Improve for Cyber Monday & Next Year

After the sale, review your numbers while they’re fresh:

• Which discounts worked best?
• What caused most cart abandonments?
• Which channels drove the most revenue?

Use these insights to refine your Cyber Monday campaigns and shape next year’s Black Friday strategy. Continuous improvement ensures your store grows stronger each season.

Conclusion

Black Friday is more than just another sales weekend—it’s the biggest chance of the year to grow your Shopify store. But success depends on preparation.

From analyzing past performance and securing inventory to improving speed, design, and customer support, every step you take adds up.

Shoppers expect fast, simple, and exciting experiences. If your store delivers, you won’t just drive sales—you’ll also build relationships that last beyond the holiday season.

And when the rush is over, using smart follow-up strategies will turn new buyers into loyal customers.

At CartCoders, we help Shopify businesses prepare for events like Black Friday with the right setup, integrations, and support.

The earlier you prepare, the more confident you’ll feel when traffic surges and orders start rolling in. Black Friday may only last a few days, but the impact on your business can last all year.

FAQs for Getting Your Store Ready for Black Friday Store