More and more people are moving online for their Black Friday shopping. After all, it’s usually a lot less stressful… and physically demanding. But it’s important to remember that shopping online is still something of a melee — a digital melee.
You’re still competing with hundreds of fellow shoppers looking for the same items. With this in mind, you need to have a plan of action, and you need to do your research before those Black Friday deals begin to drop.
Here are nine Black Friday hacks that should help you make a success of your online shopping experience.
1. Set up your computer in advance
If you’re shopping for multiple items, a smartphone just isn’t going to cut it. Ideally, you should have several browsers open at the same time — each loaded with the website you’re targeting. The second each sales begins, you can be among the first to bag the bargains.
2. Be persistent
Particularly during the first hour or two of a Black Friday promotion, websites can often freeze or go down under the pressure of so much traffic. If you’re getting error messages, keep refreshing the screen until the website loads.
3. Organise a Black Friday party
If you’re looking for several bargains, the chances are you won’t be able to secure them all at the same time. But by working together with friends and family, you can increase your chances of a successful shopping experience. Organise a Black Friday party in your home, and have fun with the experience.
4. Load up your card details in advance
The last thing you want to be wasting time on is repeatedly entering the same card details on different website. Most browsers now allow you to save your card details, so processing a payment involves just the entry of your three-digit security number. The time you save by doing this could be the difference between securing your bargains and a very disappointing Black Friday.
5. Search for events in advance
A few days before Black Friday, start searching for potential deals and events by using relevant search terms. For example, Black Friday television deals will give you several options. Add them to your list, and make sure you have a browser window dedicated to each on the big day.
6. Set up notifications
In most circumstances, receiving those annoying “push” notifications on our phones is something we try to avoid at all costs. But on and around Black Friday, these messages could alert you to some very exciting offers. This is because online retailers take a fluid approach to sales. If a particular line isn’t moving as quickly as expected, it may be discounted even further. Allow shopping apps to send you notifications on the day, and then simply switch them off when you’re done.
7. Buy with gift cards
You can increase your Black Friday savings even further by loading up gift cards in advance. This is because a lot of large online retailers offer discounts. For example, you can buy a £100 gift card for just £95 with a five percent discount.
8. Sign up for loyalty programmes
There are yet more savings to enjoy for people signed up to loyalty programmes, newsletters etc. If you sign up in advance, you may be among the first to receive word of exclusive offers — and there may be additional savings to thank you for your loyalty.
9. Use online forums and discussion boards
Search for forums, chat rooms and discussion boards dedicated to discount shopping. Register in advance, and have them all open when you’re sitting at your computer on Black Friday. Consumers like to share the news of flash sales and unexpected bargains, so keep your eyes peeled for real-time tips.
A successful Black Friday online is all about preparation. Plan your shopping to the last detail, and you should be able to pick up the bargains you’re looking for.
