Cyber Monday vs Black Friday: Which is Better for Shopify Stores?

Every year, as Thanksgiving wraps up, Shopify store owners face the same big question:

“Cyber Monday vs Black Friday: Where should I put more energy?”

Both are known as the busiest shopping days of the year, but here’s where it gets tricky.

Is Cyber Monday better? Or should we still prioritize Black Friday because of the hype and volume it generates? 

With BFCM 2025 right around the corner, this is the perfect time to break it all down.

In this article, I’ll share what makes each day unique, where I’ve seen online merchants succeed. This way, you can decide what’s better, Black Friday or Cyber Monday.

Let’s start with the popular one first.

What Does Black Friday Mean for Online Merchants?

When I think about Black Friday, I don’t just picture long lines outside big-box stores anymore. For online merchants, Black Friday has evolved into one of the busiest shopping days of the year, both online and offline. 

It’s the Friday right after Thanksgiving, and it has become the kickoff to holiday shopping in the U.S.

Here’s the scale we’re talking about. Let’s break down the numbers of just Shopify merchants during the previous year’s Black Friday season.

Black Friday Sales Stats (Shopify Stores)

• A record $11.5 billion in sales.
• The United States was the top-selling country.
• A 24% YoY rise in sales.
• 76 million customers bought from Shopify stores.
• 16500+ merchants made their first sale on Shopify.
• 67000+ merchants had their best sales day ever.

Black Friday sets the tone for the entire holiday season.  If you can capture attention and drive sales on Black Friday, you’re more likely to keep that momentum going through Cyber Monday and into December.

Cyber Monday has carved out its own identity as the biggest online shopping day of the year. Unlike Black Friday, which straddles both in-store and online channels, Cyber Monday is designed for ecommerce first. 

And for Shopify merchants like us, that makes it a golden opportunity. Let’s break down what Cyber Monday really means. 

What is Cyber Monday? (And Why It Matters More to Shopify)

So, what is Cyber Monday? Put simply, it’s the Monday right after Thanksgiving, created back in 2005 to give online retailers their own version of Black Friday. 

Unlike Black Friday, which blends in-store purchases and ecommerce deals, Cyber Monday is completely online. This is why it matters so much for Shopify merchants.

Here are some interesting stats to prepare for Cyber Monday 2025.

Cyber Monday Sales Stats

• 57% of online sales happened through mobile devices.
• Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) usage hit $990 million.
• Electronics was the highest-selling category (30%)
• $15.8 million in online sales every minute during peak hours. 

There’s also a timing factor that can’t be ignored. Studies show that Cyber Monday shopping peaks between 8 PM and 10 PM EST. 

For Shopify store owners, that means well-timed flash sales, last-chance countdowns, and email/SMS campaigns scheduled for prime time can drastically boost conversions.

I’ve noticed a clear pattern over the years: Cyber Monday shoppers behave differently than Black Friday shoppers. 

On Black Friday, people often chase big-ticket deals like TVs, furniture, or appliances. On Cyber Monday, though, buyers are hunting for tech gadgets, digital products, and impulse-driven purchases. Shopify store owners thrive in these categories. 

By now, you can see that Black Friday and Cyber Monday each bring something unique to the table. But as a Shopify expert, I’ve learned it’s not about Cyber Monday vs Black Friday, it’s about knowing the real pros and cons between the two.

If you are looking for the best Shopify app for Black Friday to increase conversions, iCart, the upsell Shopify app, will help you increase sales.

iCart is perfect for the BFCM season with features like: Discount bar, product upsell, product bundles, and personalized product recommendations.

Cyber Monday vs Black Friday: Pros and Cons From My Experience

When Shopify store owners ask me, “What’s better, Black Friday or Cyber Monday?”, my answer is always the same: 

“It depends on your products, your audience, and your strategy“

Over the years, I’ve seen stores crush it on both days, but the pros and cons are very different. Let’s look at each.

Black Friday: Pros

• Unmatched Hype and Traffic

Black Friday is synonymous with big sales and the busiest shopping day of the year. 

Consumers know it’s time to get serious about holiday shopping. This means massive traffic, especially for those who are prepared to handle the rush.

• Great for Product Bundling

Premium bundles fly off the shelves because customers expect deep discounts. Sort products that are frequently bought together and offer attractive deals to clear your inventory. 

• Momentum Builder

A strong Black Friday can create a wave of new customers you can retarget for Cyber Monday and the rest of the holiday season.

Black Friday: Cons

• Overwhelming Competition

Nearly every business and Shopify store competes for shoppers’ attention. While it’s a great time to get noticed, you’ll be facing fierce competition, and your ad costs can rise accordingly.

• Pressure on Margins

Shoppers expect big discounts, so it’s easy to fall into the trap of offering steep deals. Without a strong upselling or bundling strategy, your margins can take a hit.

• Operational Stress

Handling the spike in traffic and ensuring your Shopify store runs smoothly can be challenging. A slow website, slow customer support, or poor user experience can cause frustration and lost sales.

Cyber Monday: Pros

• Tailored for Online Merchants

Cyber Monday was built for online shopping, which makes it ideal for Shopify stores. It’s completely online, so there’s no need to worry about competing with physical retailers.

• Perfect for Tech Products

If you sell electronics, gadgets, or accessories, Cyber Monday is the ideal day to capture shoppers looking for the latest tech. Consumers hunt for discounts on smart devices, headphones, wearables, and more.

Cyber Monday: Cons

• Lower Overall Volume

While Cyber Monday might dominate online shopping, it doesn’t reach the same overall volume as Black Friday. The Black Friday event, which combines both in-store and online shoppers.

• Highly Competitive Digital Space

Cyber Monday is packed with online deals, so you’re competing for attention in crowded inboxes, on social media feeds, and in search results. Without strong targeting, you could easily get lost in the noise.

Cyber Monday vs Black Friday: Complete Comparison

Factor	Black Friday	Cyber Monday
Shopping Type	In-store and online shopping	Online-only shopping
Main Focus	Big-ticket items (electronics, home goods, bundles)	Tech gadgets, apparel, accessories, impulse buys
Best for	High-volume sales, attracting new customers	High-conversion sales, driving digital purchases
Target Audience	Shoppers seeking in-store deals as well as online discounts	Online shoppers looking for quick, time-sensitive deals
Deal Duration	Extended to the weekend	One day only
Competition	High (physical retailers and ecommerce sites compete for attention)	High (purely ecommerce, competing in a crowded digital space)
Promotion Strategy	Mass marketing, large discounts, doorbusters	Flash sales, time-limited offers, exclusive deals
Traffic	Large traffic in-store and online	Primarily online traffic peaks in the evening (8-10 PM EST)
Best for Shopify Stores	With high-ticket items or bundles	Focused on tech gadgets, apparel, and smaller items

Cyber Monday vs Black Friday: Final Thoughts on Winning Both Days

From my experience helping U.S. merchants plan their holiday campaigns, I can tell you this: Black Friday and Cyber Monday are not interchangeable. 

Black Friday is a retail powerhouse that blends in-store frenzy with online deals. Cyber Monday, on the other hand, was built for ecommerce, making it the day many Shopify stores shine brightest.

Plan ahead. Know your audience. Make the most of both days to drive sales during the Black Friday Cyber Monday season. 

Cyber Monday vs Black Friday FAQs

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

It depends on your store. Black Friday is great for high-traffic, big-ticket items, while Cyber Monday is perfect for tech gadgets and digital products.

2. What is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is the Monday after Thanksgiving, dedicated solely to online shopping with time-sensitive deals and exclusive digital offers.

3. Which are the best Shopify apps for Black Friday?

Apps like iCart for upsells and bundles, Stellar Delivery Date & Pickup, and Shopify POS are essential for handling traffic and boosting conversions on Black Friday.

4. What are the top-selling items on Black Friday?

Black Friday sees items like electronics, home goods, and premium product bundles getting sold in minutes. 

5. What are the best-selling items on Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is best for tech gadgets, apparel, and impulse buys, as shoppers look for the latest digital products and quick deals.