10 Black Friday marketing ideas to boost sales in 2025  

Key highlights  

• Learn how to plan and execute a powerful Black Friday marketing strategy that drives visibility, engagement and record-breaking online sales. 

• Discover 10 proven Black Friday marketing ideas, from starting early and bundling products to running flash sales, influencer partnerships and loyalty rewards. 

• Understand how to create a step-by-step Black Friday campaign plan, including setting goals, choosing offers, building calendars and optimizing your website for conversions. 

• Explore how top brands like Walmart, Google, Amazon and Lush use creativity, urgency and purpose-driven storytelling to make their Black Friday campaigns stand out. 

If you’re looking to drive more visibility, engagement and online sales this holiday season, Black Friday marketing offers the biggest opportunity to grow your business. With millions of shoppers searching for upcoming deals weeks in advance, brands that plan early often see record-breaking results. 

Black Friday marketing isn’t just about discounts anymore; it’s about creating a shopping experience that excites and retains customers. A well-planned Black Friday marketing strategy helps you attract potential customers, increase average order value and build long-term loyalty. By blending creativity, personalization and the right marketing tactics for Black Friday, you can stand out in a crowded marketplace and turn seasonal visitors into repeat buyers. 

In this blog, you’ll discover 10 proven Black Friday marketing ideas to help you boost engagement, drive online sales and make the most of the 2025 holiday shopping season. 

Top 10 Black Friday marketing strategies to boost sales  

Once you’ve set your holiday goals, the next step is to reach your customers effectively. The right Black Friday marketing strategies help you capture attention early, drive conversions and build long-term loyalty. 

Let’s explore 10 proven marketing ideas for Black Friday that can make your 2025 campaign more impactful and help you stand out during the busy Black Friday period. 

1. Start early to build awareness 

Shoppers begin researching Black Friday sales weeks before the big day, so start early to stay top of mind. Use teaser campaigns, sneak peeks, countdowns and early access offers to spark curiosity and engagement.  

The National Retail Federation reports that 38% of shoppers take advantage of sales specifically during the week before Thanksgiving, highlighting the value of early promotion. Launching promotions three to four weeks ahead lets potential customers plan their purchases and keeps your brand visible before competitors flood the market. 

If your website is hosted with us at Bluehost, make sure it’s ready for increased traffic. A fast, optimized site is essential for any Black Friday marketing campaign. This season, our Business and eCommerce Essentials plans are up to 70% off, making it the perfect time to strengthen your hosting setup before the rush. 

2. Bundle products or services for better value 

Bundling complementary items is one of the best Black Friday promotion ideas to increase order value while giving customers more for their money. Pair related products, services or digital resources and market them as limited-time value packs to encourage customers to unlock bigger savings. 

Highlight these bundles across your homepage and social media posts with clear calls like “Get more for less” or “Save with bundles.” 

3. Run flash sales 

Flash sales are classic Black Friday marketing tactics that create urgency and push shoppers to act fast. Offer deep, time-sensitive discounts, such as “3-hour deals” or “50% off until midnight” and use countdown timers to drive excitement. 

Segment your audience to run multiple flash events throughout the Black Friday–Cyber Monday weekend. Promote them via email, SMS and social media posts with short, action-driven messages.  

Also read: SMS Marketing: Boost Engagement & Improve Campaigns (2025) 

4. Collaborate with influencers or brand partners 

Partnering with influencers is a powerful Black Friday digital marketing tactic to reach engaged audiences who trust authentic recommendations. Choose creators who align with your brand and offer exclusive discount codes or early access to your Black Friday deals. 

You can also collaborate with complementary brands, for example, a hosting company teaming up with a design agency for a joint giveaway or holiday gift guide. Track performance with affiliate plugins or UTM links, which you can easily integrate within your Bluehost WordPress dashboard. 

5. Launch social media challenges and giveaways 

Social media challenges and giveaways are fun Black Friday marketing ideas to boost visibility and audience engagement. Try a “Countdown to Black Friday” challenge or a “Tag and Win” contest that rewards participants with early access, VIP customer perks or store credit. 

Incorporate trending formats like Instagram Reels or TikTok videos to showcase your Black Friday marketing efforts creatively. Encourage user-generated content with branded hashtags and feature the best submissions to build excitement and loyalty. 

Also read: Social Media Advertising Tips To Master Your Small Business’s Strategy 

6. Create a dedicated Black Friday landing page 

A focused landing page helps you promote sales more effectively by displaying all key offers in one place. Include: 

• A clear headline (e.g., “Up to 70% Off This Black Friday”) 

• High-quality visuals 

• Countdown timers for urgency 

• Clear call-to-action buttons (“Shop Now,” “Unlock Savings”) 

Keep it mobile-friendly and SEO-optimized for Black Friday internet marketing terms like “Black Friday deals” and “holiday offers.” With Bluehost’s Website Builder and WordPress templates, you can design and launch dedicated sale pages in minutes, a best practice for Black Friday marketing. 

7. Use pop-ups for email capture and cart recovery 

Pop-ups are highly effective Black Friday marketing tools when used strategically. Capture visitor emails in exchange for early access to exclusive deals or discounts. Use exit-intent pop-ups to recover carts by offering free gift wrapping, small coupons or loyalty points. 

You can automate pop-ups and follow-up emails directly through our Bluehost email marketing tools to retain existing customers and improve your overall Black Friday online marketing performance. 

8. Personalize recommendations 

Personalized recommendations are one of the most effective Black Friday marketing tactics to increase customer engagement. They make shopping experiences more relevant and enjoyable. 

By analyzing browsing behavior or previous purchases, you can suggest complementary products that encourage customers to spend more and return for future purchases. 

To make your recommendations more visible this Black Friday, optimize your product pages with Yoast SEO Premium, available at a special $2.99/mo (1-year offer) with Bluehost. 

9. Extend your sale through Cyber Monday 

Don’t stop at Friday, extend your Black Friday sales through Cyber Monday or even Small Business Saturday. Refresh your deals with new online-only discounts or value bundles to sustain momentum. 

Offer your best customers early access to Cyber Monday offers, while targeting new visitors with last-chance promotions. Easily update banners, countdowns and pop-ups using our Bluehost’s dashboard tools to keep the same message consistent across your Black Friday–Cyber Monday (BFCM) campaigns. 

10. Reward loyalty and referrals 

Encourage your existing customers to bring in new ones with referral bonuses or loyalty rewards. Offer store credits, free gifts or exclusive discounts for every successful referral. 

If you already have a loyalty program, double the points during the Black Friday period to encourage repeat purchases. Small gestures like these turn one-time shoppers into advocates and help drive future purchases, long after the sale ends. 

Also read: Boost sales and retention with customer loyalty programs 

Now that you’ve explored the most effective marketing strategies for Black Friday, let’s look at how to turn them into a step-by-step plan you can follow. 

How to create a step-by-step Black Friday marketing plan  

A successful Black Friday campaign isn’t built overnight, it’s the result of clear goals, smart planning and creative execution. Focusing on both online and in-store promotions helps you attract new customers and boost sales throughout Cyber Week.  

Now, let’s break down the key steps to create a Black Friday marketing plan that drives results. 

Step 1. Set clear goals and study competitors 

Start by defining what success looks like whether it’s increasing sales, building brand awareness or gaining new customers. Clear goals shape every part of your Black Friday marketing guide, from your messaging to your offer strategy. 

Research competitors’ past campaigns to understand what worked for them and where you can stand out. Analyze pricing, discounts and creative approaches using tools like Google Trends or SEMrush. These insights will help you differentiate your brand and highlight what makes your offer unique. 

Quick tip: Create a simple spreadsheet to track competitors’ discounts, creative assets, and key messaging. This will help you spot gaps and opportunities your campaign can capitalize on. 

Also read: Top 10 Ways to Set Goals for Your Website and Measure Success 

Step 2. Choose the right offers and promotions 

Your promotions should be irresistible but profitable. Go beyond discounts, create value-driven offers that encourage urgency and loyalty. Popular strategies include: 

• Storewide discounts or limited-time bundles 

• Tiered “Buy More, Save More” offers 

• Free gifts or bonus credits 

• VIP perks that offer early access to sales 

These tactics not only drive immediate sales but also nurture long-term customer relationships. 

Quick tip: Run a quick profitability check before finalizing offers. Use your average order value (AOV) and customer lifetime value (CLV) to ensure your discounts still maintain healthy margins. 

Step 3. Build your campaign calendar and channels 

Start planning weeks leading up to Black Friday. Map out pre-launch teasers, emails and social posts to build anticipation. Schedule different offers throughout Cyber Week to keep shoppers engaged. 

Use automation to retarget cart abandoners, personalize messages and ensure a consistent experience across all marketing channels. 

Quick tip: Use tools like Trello, Asana, or Notion to build a detailed campaign calendar that includes content deadlines, email drops, and ad launch dates. 

Step 4. Optimize your website and creatives 

Your website is the centerpiece of your Black Friday marketing guide. Make sure it’s fast, secure and mobile-friendly to handle high traffic. Highlight top deals with banners, pop-ups and countdown timers. You can also create gift guides to help shoppers find the perfect products quickly. 

Quick tip: Run a quick site speed test using Google PageSpeed Insights or GTmetrix. Even a one-second delay can lower conversion rates, so optimize images and checkout processes early. 

Step 5. Launch, monitor and adjust 

Once your campaign is live, track performance in real time, from click-through rates to completed sales. Adjust strategies instantly if needed, such as extending top-performing deals or testing new creatives. 

After Cyber Week, review analytics to identify trends and apply your learnings for next year’s campaign. A successful Black Friday plan isn’t just about one big sale, it’s about building momentum that drives growth all season long. 

Quick tip: Use real-time dashboards to monitor KPIs hourly during peak periods and make quick data-driven adjustments. 

Now that you’ve built a strong foundation, let’s explore how leading brands executed the best Black Friday marketing campaigns and what lessons you can apply to your own. 

How leading brands approach Black Friday promotions?  

Top brands don’t treat Black Friday marketing as just another sale, they use it to tell stories, connect with customers and inspire loyalty. By blending creativity, emotion and purpose, these companies show how a strong marketing strategy for Black Friday can drive engagement far beyond discounts. 

Let’s see how some of the world’s biggest brands turned these ideas into standout campaigns. 

1. Bluehost – Empowering digital growth 

At Bluehost, Black Friday isn’t just about discounts, it’s about helping businesses and creators grow online. Our Black Friday marketing strategy focuses on providing the right tools to build, secure and scale a strong digital presence. 

This season, enjoy: 

• 70% off Business and eCommerce Essentials 

• 40% off Managed VPS Plans 

• 20% off Design and Marketing Services 

• 25% off SiteLock/CodeGuard/Premium SSL 

• $2.99/mo coupon for Yoast Premium – 1 year 

• Free cPanel license – special Managed VPS offer 

These exclusive deals are designed to attract customers, drive sales and fuel long-term success for online businesses during the BFCM sales season and beyond. 

Takeaway: Great Black Friday marketing isn’t about cutting prices, it’s about creating opportunities that last. With Bluehost’s limited-time offers, you can build a foundation for digital success long after the holiday rush ends. 

2. Walmart – “Mean Girls” Black Friday commercial (2023) 

Walmart’s 2023 campaign perfectly balanced humor and nostalgia. The brand reunited the Mean Girls cast, Lindsay Lohan, Amanda Seyfried and Lacey Chabert, in a fun recreation of the movie to promote its Black Friday deals and Walmart+ member perks. 

Released throughout the BFCM sales period, the ads built anticipation and connected emotionally with audiences who grew up watching the film. Its storytelling and entertainment-driven approach made it one of the year’s standout Black Friday marketing campaigns. 

Takeaway: Use pop culture, nostalgia or storytelling to connect with your audience. These creative Black Friday marketing ideas make your promotions shareable and memorable, helping you engage new and existing customers alike. 

3. Google – “Black Owned Friday” campaign (2022) 

Google redefined Black Friday digital marketing with its “Black Owned Friday” initiative, created with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. Instead of focusing on discounts, the campaign encouraged shoppers to support Black-owned businesses through interactive videos and social media ads. 

By promoting inclusivity and purpose over price, Google showed how a Black Friday marketing strategy can foster community impact and long-term trust. 

Takeaway: Not all Black Friday marketing ideas need deep discounts. Purpose-led messaging builds authenticity, loyalty and brand connection that lasts beyond the shopping season. 

4. Amazon – Flash sales and lightning deals 

Amazon’s Black Friday marketing tactics revolve around urgency and engagement. Hourly Lightning Deals and flash offers keep shoppers coming back throughout the day. 

By staggering discounts and adding countdown timers, Amazon motivates different customer segments to act fast. Integrated with email and personalized recommendations, it remains a masterclass in online Black Friday marketing. 

Takeaway: Create urgency and exclusivity. Flash sales, limited-time bundles and early-access offers are proven Black Friday marketing tips that boost conversions. 

5. Lush – Limited-edition bath bombs with People vs Big Tech 

In 2023, Lush took a values-first approach to Black Friday marketing by partnering with People vs Big Tech. Instead of offering discounts, it launched a limited-edition bath bomb, The Cloud and donated all proceeds (minus tax) to support digital rights. 

The campaign showed that powerful Black Friday ideas can go beyond sales. By standing for a cause, Lush sparked meaningful conversations and attracted customers who value ethics and purpose. 

Takeaway: The best Black Friday campaigns build trust and loyalty by aligning with values that resonate long after the season ends. 

These campaigns prove that the best Black Friday marketing ideas go beyond discounts and connect with audiences. They build loyalty and create value that lasts long after the shopping season ends. 

Final thoughts  

Black Friday isn’t just about discounts. It’s about building momentum that lasts. The strategies you put in motion today can shape your brand’s growth beyond the holiday season. Every campaign, email and landing page you create is a chance to turn browsers into loyal customers. 

The key is to stay strategic, authentic, and impossible to scroll past. By following best practices for Black Friday marketing, you can drive measurable results and make a lasting impact. 

As you gear up for the busiest shopping season of the year, make sure your website is ready to perform. Get 40% off our Managed VPS Plans and power your Black Friday campaigns with fast, secure and scalable hosting designed to handle peak traffic and maximize conversions. 

Launch your next big win this Black Friday with Bluehost. Build, grow and sell smarter. 

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