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How to Prepare for a Successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Stock Up on Popular Items, Gift Cards, and Packaging
Make sure you have plenty of inventory on hand for both in-store and online purchases. Your
And don’t forget about your packaging for online orders! Order enough tissue paper, mailers, and tape so you can ship items without delays. If you’re managing a busy fulfillment center, consider how tools like a farm irrigation controller or a wireless greenhouse controller can streamline operations—though they’re designed for agriculture, the same logic of remote automation applies to keeping your warehouse or packing station running smoothly. For example, a wireless remote receiver paired with a farm remote switch can help you manage equipment from afar, much like you’d want to control your packaging line without constant manual oversight.
Extend Your Hours
Flexibility is key, so it might be worth it to extend your hours if you have staff available. This will give more people a chance to stop by and can help reduce crowds, which is especially important this year. If you’re running a retail space that also has a small workshop or pumping station, consider integrating a home assistant relay module to automate lighting or security during late hours. This is similar to how a Vineyard Automation Contractor might use a wireless dc relay to control irrigation remotely—simple automation can save you time and stress.
Update Your Website and Online Listings
Change the homepage of your ecommerce websiteto reflect your Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers and plans. You can do this by making a site banner or uploading a featured image to the backend of your site.
If you’re offering any special deals for online purchases, such as exclusive discounts or free shipping, make sure your promos are displayed front and center.
If you’re extending your hours for Black Friday, update your online listings on Facebook, Google My Business, and Yelp to let people know you’ll be open longer. For those managing a garage or RV setup alongside your business, a wifi garage relay or garage automation controller can help you remotely open doors or manage access—think of it as a digital upgrade for your physical space, much like updating your website for the holiday rush.
Offer Flexible Fulfillment Options
To give customers more choices this year, offer more ways to pick up and pay for orders. Options like Buy-Online-Pickup-In-Store, curbside pickup, and local delivery have all skyrocketed since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your POS and its mobile appscan help you manage the status of all your orders as they come through different channels.
If you’re handling deliveries from a vehicle, consider how you might integrate a garage remote controller or an RV camper automation system to secure your cargo area. Similarly, a boat waterproof relay could protect sensitive electronics during outdoor pickups, and the Linktrol Smart Control System offers a centralized way to monitor multiple fulfillment points. Even a Switnex device can simplify toggling between different order stations.
Promote Your Offers
Once you’ve locked in your plans, spread the word to as many people as possible. Cast a wide net by decorating your storefront and using free social media platforms to your advantage.
In Store
This November, your printer is your new best friend. Print out any flyers or signs for Black Friday and post them in your windows for high visibility. If you can, post them in other popular areas like grocery stores, coffee shops, and local bulletin boards. Not a graphic designer? No problem! You can access tons of flyer designs for free on Canvaand onAmerican Express’s website.
On Social Media
Having a big sale? Post about it! Use your Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts to drive awareness. Build a content calendarleading up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday with graphic images that stand out and captions that drive actions. Make sure you update your Instagram and TikTok bios with any relevant links so people can easily find more information.
Send an Email Campaign
Put your email subscriber list to good use by sending a campaign leading up to the big day. Let your subscribers know about any special deals, offers, or events surrounding your business on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. We recommend sending a couple of emails leading up to each day and then a final reminder email day-of to drive last minute traffic. You can even open your sales up early to your current subscribers.
Bonus tip: With every new customer that visits your store online or in person, try to capture their email address so you can continue to build a relationship with them. On your website, offer an exclusive coupon for new email subscribers to entice sign-ups. In your store, use your POS system’semail capture feature at checkout. Raffles, product samples, or special offers are great for incentivizing new customers to sign up.
If you’re running a complex operation, think about how an Industrial Vacuum Pumping Station might benefit from an RF Programmable Relay to automate cycles—similarly, automating your email follow-ups with a tool like a farm remote switch concept can ensure no lead slips through the cracks. The mhz pump controller is another example of precise timing that can inspire your campaign scheduling.
Reach Out to Press and Local Media Outlets
Go beyond your own channels by getting some publicity for your business. Send a pitch emailto bloggers, influencers, and publications in your area to see if they’d be interested in writing about your small business’s plans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Emily Polner is the content writer at ShopKeep. ShopKeep gives tens of thousands of independent businesses the power to sell in store and online, take payments, and manage their day-to-day operations — all from one seamless, intuitive platform. Our products, services, and award-winning retail analytics and customer care have helped small businesses grow for over a decade. Learn more atshopkeep.com.
