Best Black Friday & Cyber Monday (BFCM) Strategies for Shopify Stores in 2025

The article explains how you can generate the maximum amount of traffic to promote your BFCM sales. This article focuses on the generation of traffic as opposed to the after purchase retention.
Last updated on
Published on
October 9, 2022
October 6, 2025
10
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Best Black Friday & Cyber Monday (BFCM) Strategies for Shopify Stores in 2025

Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) are the biggest shopping events of the year, and for Shopify merchants, they can make or break annual sales goals. Every year, millions of shoppers wait for these dates to grab the best deals, and Shopify stores that prepare early are the ones that stand out in a crowded market.

Looking ahead to 2025, three trends will define BFCM success: mobile-first shopping, hyper-personalized experiences, and AI-driven marketing strategies. More than 70% of Shopify purchases already come from mobile devices, making responsive design and mobile checkout optimization essential. At the same time, personalization powered by AI tools—like tailored product recommendations and automated loyalty rewards—helps brands turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.

The numbers speak for themselves. During BFCM 2023, Shopify merchants generated a record $9.3 billion in sales, a 24% increase from the previous year. With 2025 expected to surpass those figures, the opportunity for growth has never been greater. By implementing the right strategies, Shopify store owners can maximize traffic, conversions, and long-term customer loyalty this BFCM season.

Why BFCM Matters for Shopify Merchants

BFCM is the most profitable time of year for Shopify merchants, driving record-breaking global sales. Preparing early gives brands a competitive edge, while shifting consumer habits such as mobile-first shopping and growing demand for personalization make optimization essential.

Here are the key reasons why BFCM matters for Shopify merchants:

Shopify’s Global Sales Impact

  • Shopify stores generated $9.3 billion in BFCM 2023 sales, a 24% increase from the previous year.
  • Every year, more independent brands join Shopify’s ecosystem, raising the stakes and opportunities.

Competitive Advantage of Preparing Early

  • Early planning ensures faster site performance, stronger marketing campaigns, and better customer retention.
  • Brands that prepare weeks in advance can outshine competitors relying on last-minute promotions.

Consumer Shopping Behavior Shifts

  • Over 70% of Shopify BFCM orders are placed on mobile devices, making mobile optimization critical.
  • Shoppers start browsing deals weeks before BFCM, comparing offers and expecting personalization.
  • Loyalty perks and personalized bundles keep customers engaged beyond the BFCM weekend.

Best BFCM Strategies for Shopify Stores

To succeed this BFCM season, Shopify merchants should focus on optimizing their homepage, creating a mobile-first experience, launching targeted email and SMS campaigns, and using loyalty programs to boost retention. Exclusive offers, urgency tactics, and retargeting campaigns help maximize conversions and average order value.

1. Optimize Your Shopify Homepage for Conversions

Your homepage is your digital storefront—make it instantly convincing.

How to Do It:

  • Add eye-catching BFCM banners and countdowns to highlight limited-time offers.
  • Use urgency-driven messages like “Only today” or “Ends soon” to boost engagement.
  • Ensure a mobile-friendly layout and fast loading speed by optimizing Core Web Vitals (images, scripts, and lazy loading).
  • Feature best-selling or discounted products prominently on the homepage.

2. Ensure Mobile-First Shopping Experience

Most Shopify BFCM sales come from mobile devices, so seamless mobile design is non-negotiable.

How to Do It:

  • Over 70% of BFCM purchases on Shopify happen via mobile—make sure your store is fully responsive.
    Choose Shopify themes optimized for mobile UX with clear navigation and large CTAs.
    Streamline mobile checkout by enabling one-click payments and guest checkout options.

3. Run Targeted Email & SMS Campaigns

Personalized campaigns convert better than generic blasts.

How to Do It:

  • Send teaser emails and countdown messages in the weeks leading up to BFCM.
  • Use automated abandoned cart recovery flows to re-engage shoppers.
  • Segment audiences to target VIP customers with early access or extra discounts.
  • Combine email and SMS for multi-channel consistency and higher engagement rates.

4. Leverage Referral & Loyalty Programs

Loyalty pays off literally. Rewarding referrals and repeat customers boosts sales and retention.

How to Do It:

  • Encourage word-of-mouth marketing by rewarding both the referrer and their friend.
    Offer bonus points or discounts for referrals made during the BFCM weekend.
  • Use Growave’s loyalty and referral tools to automate tracking, points, and redemption directly in Shopify.

5. Offer Exclusive Discounts, Bundles & Gift Cards

Make your offers feel exclusive and valuable to increase average order value (AOV).

How to Do It:

  • Create tiered discounts (e.g., “Buy 2, get 20% off” or “Spend $150, save $30”).
  • Promote digital gift cards for easy last-minute gifting.
  • Bundle popular items together to raise cart value and simplify decision-making.

6. Create Urgency with Scarcity Tactics

Urgency drives faster decisions and higher conversions.

How to Do It:

  • Add countdown timers to landing and product pages to highlight time-limited deals.
  • Show stock indicators like “Only 3 left” to trigger action.
  • Run flash sales at specific hours to generate spikes in traffic and excitement.

7. Rescue Abandoned Carts with Retargeting

Don’t let potential buyers slip away—remind them to complete their purchase.

How to Do It:

  • Send automated push notifications or SMS reminders to re-engage shoppers.
  • Run retargeting ads on Facebook, Instagram, and Google for cart abandoners.
  • Use Shopify apps like PushOwl or FirePush to integrate retargeting easily.
  • Combine urgency (“Your deal expires soon”) with discounts for best results.

Bonus Tips for BFCM 2025 Success

You’ve learned the key strategies and bonus tips to make your Shopify store stand out this BFCM season. Now it’s time to put everything into action. A clear, step-by-step checklist will help you stay organized, avoid last-minute stress, and make sure every part of your store — from product pages to marketing campaigns — is ready for the biggest shopping weekend of the year.

Whether you’re running your first Black Friday sale or looking to outperform last year’s numbers, this Shopify BFCM checklist covers every stage of preparation — from planning and promotion to post-sale retention.

Use AI-Powered Personalization Tools

Artificial intelligence is transforming how Shopify merchants engage with shoppers. AI tools can analyze browsing behavior, previous purchases, and even customer intent to deliver personalized product recommendations in real time.

Instead of showing generic deals, tailor your BFCM offers to each visitor — such as showing accessories related to their last order or featuring items they’ve recently viewed. This not only increases conversions but also creates a seamless shopping experience that feels personal and relevant.

Integrate User-Generated Content for Trust

Customer trust is one of the most powerful conversion drivers during BFCM. Shoppers are more likely to buy when they see authentic feedback and real photos from other buyers.


Encourage your customers to share their BFCM purchases on social media using branded hashtags and showcase that content on your product pages. Platforms like Growave make it easy to collect and display user-generated content, boosting credibility while enriching your store’s visuals.

Strengthen Social Proof During BFCM

In a crowded market, social proof helps your brand stand out. When visitors see that others are actively shopping, leaving reviews, or recommending your products, they feel more confident making a purchase.

You can display live notifications like “Anna from London just bought this item!” or add badges such as “Bestseller” and “Customer Favorite.” These small elements tap into the psychology of trust and urgency, helping you convert more visitors into buyers.

Plan for Post-BFCM Retention

Your BFCM campaign shouldn’t end when the sales do. The post-purchase period is a prime opportunity to turn new buyers into loyal customers.

Follow up with thank-you emails, loyalty points, or discount codes for their next order. You can also segment new customers into special audiences and offer them early access to future sales or new product launches. This approach builds long-term relationships and maximizes the lifetime value of every BFCM shopper.


BFCM Checklist for Shopify Stores

Preparing early is the key to a smooth and successful BFCM campaign. This step-by-step checklist will help you cover everything from planning and promotion to retention and follow-up. Use it as a timeline to stay on track and make sure your Shopify store is fully optimized before the big sales weekend begins.

2 Months Before BFCM: Strategy & Store Setup

Start with a solid foundation. The earlier you prepare, the better your store will perform under high traffic.

  • Review last year’s BFCM analytics to identify what worked and what didn’t.

  • Set clear sales goals and define your target audience.

  • Optimize your store’s speed and mobile experience.

  • Update product descriptions, visuals, and SEO tags for seasonal keywords.

  • Plan your discount structure, bundles, and loyalty offers.

  • Schedule content creation for banners, email sequences, and ads.

1 Month Before BFCM: Marketing & Promotion

Now it’s time to build anticipation and ensure your marketing tools are in place.

  • Create email and SMS campaigns to tease upcoming offers.

  • Launch social media countdowns and sneak peeks of discounts.

  • Test your checkout flow and payment integrations.

  • Finalize BFCM banners and pop-ups for your Shopify homepage.

  • Segment audiences for VIP and returning customers with loyalty incentives.

1 Week Before BFCM: Final Optimization

This is your last chance to polish details and double-check everything.

  • Confirm discount codes, coupons, and automation workflows.
  • Test your website on multiple devices to ensure responsiveness.
  • Enable inventory alerts and update product stock levels.

  • Prepare retargeting ads for cart abandoners and inactive users.

  • Double-check all email and SMS schedules for accuracy.

During BFCM: Execution & Engagement

Now it’s showtime — focus on engagement and real-time performance.

  • Monitor your Shopify analytics to track sales, traffic, and conversions.
  • Use live chat or WhatsApp support for fast customer communication.
  • Post regularly on social media to keep your audience active.
  • Send mid-sale reminders to customers who haven’t checked out yet.
  • Run limited-time flash deals to keep momentum going.

After BFCM: Retention & Follow-Up

The sale may be over, but the opportunity isn’t. Keep new customers engaged and turn them into loyal fans.

  • Send thank-you emails with loyalty points or future discounts.
  • Request product reviews or UGC to strengthen trust.
  • Analyze campaign results to measure ROI and identify improvements.
  • Re-target BFCM shoppers with post-sale offers or early access to holiday deals.
  • Keep communication active with newsletters or loyalty updates.

Conclusion

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are more than just a weekend of discounts—they’re a powerful opportunity to grow your customer base, boost brand visibility, and strengthen long-term loyalty. By optimizing your Shopify homepage, personalizing your offers, leveraging referral and loyalty programs, and using smart retargeting, you can make this BFCM your most profitable yet.

But success doesn’t stop when the sale ends. The real value comes from keeping those new customers engaged long after BFCM. Use post-purchase follow-ups, loyalty points, and personalized recommendations to turn one-time buyers into repeat shoppers who return throughout the year.

Boost your Shopify sales this BFCM with Growave’s all-in-one marketing tools — designed to help you build loyalty programs, manage referrals, collect reviews, and increase customer lifetime value, all from one powerful platform.

FAQs

What is BFCM for Shopify?

BFCM stands for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the biggest global shopping weekend of the year. For Shopify merchants, it’s a key opportunity to boost sales, attract new customers, and increase brand visibility. Many Shopify stores see their highest traffic and revenue during this period thanks to limited-time discounts and exclusive offers.

How can Shopify stores prepare for Black Friday?

The best way to prepare is to start early. Begin optimizing your store at least two months in advance by improving page speed, updating product listings, and designing seasonal banners. Then, plan your marketing campaigns, email flows, and discount strategy to ensure your store is ready when traffic spikes.

What are the best Shopify apps for BFCM?

Some of the top Shopify apps for BFCM success include:

  • Growave – for loyalty programs, referrals, and reviews in one tool.

  • PushOwl – for automated web push notifications.

  • Klaviyo – for personalized email and SMS marketing.

  • ReConvert – for post-purchase upsells and thank-you pages.
    These tools help automate marketing, improve engagement, and maximize conversions during the busy shopping season.

When should I start planning BFCM campaigns?

Ideally, you should start planning your BFCM strategy at least 6–8 weeks before the event. This gives you time to analyze past performance, finalize offers, test automations, and build anticipation with teaser campaigns. Early preparation allows you to stand out in the crowded BFCM landscape and avoid last-minute issues.

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