Black Friday Checklist [2025]: BFCM Ideas for Shopify Stores

Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM), two of the biggest shopping events of the year, are just around the corner. If you’re a Shopify store owner, it’s time to get serious about preparing your Black Friday checklist.

BFCM 2025 is shaping up to be bigger than ever.

But here’s the catch: To stand out, you need solid BFCM strategies and a clear roadmap.

As Shopify experts, we have prepared this Black Friday checklist especially for Shopify store owners.  

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or gearing up for your first BFCM, this checklist will provide actionable steps to take your store to the next level. 

Let’s dive in.

Black Friday Checklist: 10 BCFM Strategies to Boost Shopify Sales

#1 Start Now: No Time to Waste

The first box in the Black Friday checklist starts with early preparation for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This is because you will have more to refine your strategies, test promotions, and build anticipation.

BFCM isn’t just a weekend anymore, it’s a month-long event that extends well beyond the traditional Friday and Monday.

Why it works:

Starting early means you can gather data on what promotions perform best, tweak your offers, and build excitement around your deals. 

Use the pre-BFCM weeks to create buzz by sharing sneak peeks of upcoming offers on social media or via email newsletters. 

• Action Tip: Start sending teaser emails and using countdown timers on your store to ramp up excitement.

#2 Optimize Your Website for Mobile Shopping

The majority of shoppers now use their mobile devices to browse and purchase. You need to ensure your Shopify store is fully optimized for mobile during BFCM.

Why it works:

During BFCM, if your store isn’t optimized for mobile devices, you risk losing a large chunk of potential buyers. 

Mobile-friendly stores load faster, are easier to navigate, and provide a seamless shopping experience that encourages customers to make purchases on the go.

• Action Tip: Use Shopify’s mobile-friendly themes or customize your current theme to ensure it looks great on all devices.

#3 Create Irresistible Bundles 

Source: PlayStation

Product bundles are a powerful way to increase your average order value (AOV). Instead of just discounting individual products, create bundled offers that encourage customers to buy more while feeling like they’re getting a better deal.

Why it works:

During BFCM, shoppers are looking for big savings, and bundles provide an easy way to satisfy that desire. 

Not only do bundles increase AOV, but they also help you move inventory quickly and introduce customers to products they may not have considered before..

• Action Tip: Use Shopify apps like iCart to create product bundles. With iCart, your customers can add multiple products to their cart in one click. 

#4 Leverage BFCM Marketing with Email

Email marketing is a must-have in any Black Friday checklist. By segmenting your audience and sending tailored emails during the event, you can promote exclusive deals for your customers. 

Why it works: Personalized emails convert better. Send a mix of teaser emails, reminders, and last-minute offers to keep your customers engaged. Use countdown timers in your emails to create urgency.

• Action Tip: Segment your list based on past purchases to send more relevant offers.

#5 Offer Free Shipping to Boost Conversions

Did you know high shipping charges are the number one reason for cart abandonment? 

Free shipping is a major incentive for shoppers, especially during BFCM when customers are looking to save as much as possible. 

Why it works: Free shipping removes a common barrier to purchase, encouraging customers to buy more. It’s one of the most effective ways to reduce cart abandonment.

• Action Tip: Set a minimum order value for free shipping to increase your AOV.

Read more actionable tips from Shopify store owners to increase your BFCM 2025 sales. 

#6 Optimize Your Checkout Process

A smooth, fast checkout process is essential to prevent cart abandonment during BFCM 2025. Make sure your checkout is streamlined, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly.

Why it works: Customers are in a rush during BFCM deals. They will leave your Shopify store if the checkout is complicated or slow. A simplified process encourages a smoother and quicker purchase process. 

• Action Tip: Enable guest checkout to avoid forcing customers to create an account.

#7 Utilize Retargeting Ads

Source: Walmart

Retargeting ads are key to bringing back visitors who didn’t make a purchase the first time. By showing them relevant ads after they leave your site, you can remind them of the deals they missed.

Why it works: Retargeting keeps your store top of mind and encourages return visits, especially when customers are browsing multiple deals. Use dynamic retargeting ads to show specific products that customers viewed.

• Action Tip: Set up personalized ads with ‘BFCM deals’ to entice shoppers back.

#8 Offer Early Access to VIP Customers

Reward your loyal customers with early access to your BFCM deals. This makes them feel special and can drive immediate sales before the mass promotions begin.

Why it works: Early access creates a sense of exclusivity and incentivizes repeat customers to make a purchase before the rush. You can provide early access to high-demand products to ensure these VIP get the best deals.

• Action Tip: Send VIP customers a personalized webpage with a special access link just for loyal customers. 

#9 Implement an AI Chatbot for Sales & Support

An AI-powered e-commerce chatbot can assist customers in real-time during BFCM. These bots help them find products, answer questions, and guide them through the checkout process.

Why it works: A chatbot provides instant support, reducing friction in the customer journey and improving the overall shopping experience, especially during high-traffic periods.

• Action Tip: Set up your AI chatbot to handle common queries like shipping information, discounts, and product recommendations.

#10 Update Your Brand Designs and Content With the BFCM Theme

Source: Benefit

Revamp both your online store and physical locations with a BFCM theme to create a cohesive shopping experience across all touchpoints.

Why it works: A consistent BFCM theme across your website, emails, and even in-store displays reinforces the sales event, making it easier for customers to recognize the promotion and navigate the shopping experience.

• Action Tip: Update your website’s banners, product images, and homepage layout with BFCM colors, fonts, and messaging. If you have a physical store, display in-store signage that mirrors your online promotion.

#11 Create an Omnichannel Shopping Experience

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are a combination of both offline and online experiences. A unified omnichannel experience, including social media, enhances customer convenience and boosts sales.

Why it works: Customers expect a consistent experience whether they shop on your website, social media, or in-store. Omnichannel strategies build trust and allow customers to move between channels effortlessly.

• Action Tip: Sync your product inventory and promotions across all platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, brick-and-mortar stores, and your website. 

Wrapping Up: Adopt this Checklist to Crush BFCM 2025

We look at the Shopify Black Friday stats in 2024, and they showed over $11.5 billion in sales during this period alone. This number is only set to rise. A well-organized Black Friday checklist will allow you to boost your conversions in the BFCM season. 

BFCM 2025 is right around the corner, and it’s time to get your Shopify store ready. 

From preparing early and optimizing your mobile site to offering irresistible flash sales and bundles, every strategy counts. Don’t forget to enhance your CX with AI chatbots, provide early access to loyal customers, and create a seamless omnichannel experience.

Tick every box on our Black Friday checklist to crush BFCM 2025? 

Black Friday Checklist FAQs

1. How many days until Black Friday 2025?

In the United States, Black Friday falls on the Friday after Thanksgiving. In 2025, the Black Friday event is on 28th November 2025.

2. What is BFCM?

BFCM is an acronym for Black Friday Cyber Monday. It starts from the first Friday post Thanksgiving and continues till the first Monday.

3. What’s better, Black Friday or Cyber Monday?

Black Friday is traditionally an event for physical stores, although it has now spread to the online medium. Cyber Monday is exclusively for online stores. The answer to the question of which is better really depends on your sales goals. 

4. How many days until Cyber Monday 2025?

In the USA, Cyber Monday falls on the first Monday after Black Friday. In 2025, Cyber Monday comes on 1st December 2025. 

5. Why is a Black Friday checklist important for my Shopify store?

A Black Friday checklist ensures that you stay organized and prepared for the biggest sales event of the year. It helps you prioritize tasks, optimize your store, and maximize sales.