Preparing Your Business for Black Friday 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide
Black Friday is almost here — and if you’re a small business owner selling online, it’s the perfect chance to boost your sales and win new customers. Every November, shoppers hunt for the best deals on the products they’ve been eyeing all year. But if you’re not prepared, your Black Friday can quickly turn chaotic.
Don’t worry — we’ve put together practical Black Friday marketing ideas for small business owners to help you plan ahead, run smooth campaigns, and make the most of this huge shopping weekend.
Marketing Strategies for Black Friday
1. Plan Ahead 📝
Start planning your Black Friday campaigns early — ideally in October. Define your goals, decide which products will be discounted, and set your messaging strategy. Planning ahead gives you time to prepare visuals, copy, and social media posts, which helps you capture shoppers’ attention before competitors do. Early preparation also reduces last-minute stress and ensures your store is ready for the increased traffic.
2. Check Your Inventory 📦
Once your deals are decided, take a close look at your inventory. Make sure you have enough stock to meet anticipated demand, especially for your most popular products. Take product photos, create banners, and prepare visuals for social media marketing. Being proactive ensures you won’t miss sales due to stockouts and keeps your customers satisfied.
3. Optimize Your Online Store 💻
Most Black Friday shoppers browse and buy from their smartphones, so your store needs to be fast, mobile-friendly, and easy to navigate. Using Catlog, you can set up your store quickly, upload products, and organize categories so customers can find what they need effortlessly. A smooth shopping experience increases conversion rates, keeps customers happy, and helps you stand out from competitors who may not be as prepared.
4. Discounted Delivery 🚚
Delivery fees can be a major barrier for online shoppers — especially during busy sales like Black Friday. High shipping costs can make even the most attractive deals less appealing and cause customers to abandon their carts. By offering discounted deliveries, you remove this friction, encourage more completed orders, and increase the overall value of each sale. Customers are more likely to buy multiple items or higher-priced products when they know shipping won’t eat into their savings.
This year, Catlog is partnering with Relay by Chowdeck, Fez Delivery (Ghana), and Shaq Express to make delivery easier and cheaper for your customers. From Nov 28 – Dec 1, you can offer 50% off delivery fees when shoppers select these shipping options at checkout. Highlighting this in your Black Friday marketing makes your store more attractive and helps boost conversions during the biggest shopping weekend of the year.
5. Leverage Social Media and Content Marketing 📱
Engage your audience with posts, stories, and reels that highlight your Black Friday deals. Share discounts and coupons, run short videos, and encourage customers to visit your store directly. Consistent, visually appealing content drives organic traffic to your store and ensures your customers know what deals are available.
Black Friday Campaign Ideas
1. Early Bird Specials ⏰
Offer exclusive deals for customers who shop before the main rush. Promote these as limited-time offers to create urgency and reward those who act fast.
2. Bundle Deals 🎁
Package complementary products together at a discounted rate. Customers feel like they’re getting more value, and you increase your average order size.
3. Loyalty Rewards 🌟
Reward loyal customers with early access or special discounts. This shows appreciation and strengthens brand loyalty.
4. BOGO Promotions 🛍️
“Buy One, Get One” deals are a great way to entice customers to spend more. Offer a second item free or at a discounted rate.
5. Limited Stock Alerts ⚡
Highlight items with limited availability. Phrases like “Only 5 left” or “While supplies last” create urgency and drive faster purchases.
6. Social Proof ✅
Show customer reviews, testimonials, or user-generated content to build trust and increase sales. Positive feedback reduces hesitation and boosts conversion rates.
How to Use Catlog for Black Friday
Catlog makes running your Black Friday sale simple, even if it’s your first time. You can manage discounts, coupons, and automatic cart discounts in just a few clicks.
Setting Up Discounts on Catlog
Manual Discounts:
- Open the Catlog app.
- Click Quick Actions > Create Coupons.
- Enter your discount label (e.g., BLACKFRIDAY2025).
- Set your discount percentage, maximum value, duration, and save.
Coupons:
- Open the Catlog app.
- Click Quick Actions > Create Discounts.
- Enter your code and select whether the discount is a percentage or fixed amount.
- Set the coupon quantity and expiry date.
Auto Cart Discount:
This feature automatically applies discounts when customers meet conditions, like minimum spend or specific product purchases.
How It Works:
- Go to Store Settings > Checkout Options > Auto Cart Discount
- Set your preferred trigger (e.g., minimum cart amount of ₦500,000).
- Once the conditions are met, the discount is applied automatically.
After Black Friday
Your engagement shouldn’t stop once the weekend is over.
- Send thank-you messages to customers.
- Recommend related products based on their purchases to encourage repeat sales.
- Review which deals worked best to improve your strategy for next year.
Make This Black Friday Your Best Yet 🚀
Black Friday 2025 is a massive opportunity for small business owners to increase sales and delight customers. By planning ahead, running creative campaigns, and using Catlog’s tools like discounts, coupons, auto cart discounts, and delivery integrations, you can run a smooth, profitable sale in no time.
Ready to get started?
Create your Catlog store today and be fully prepared for Black Friday.
