Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) have grown into massive commercial events offering brands the opportunity to increase sales and provide customers with the chance to bag a bargain or two.
But which one is better for you to focus your marketing dollars and valuable time to realize greater sales?
Knowing when to showcase your best deals can be challenging. In this blog post, we’ll put these two commercial events head-to-head to help you decide which you should commit to your marketing efforts.
In this article:
- The Differences between Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which is Better?
- Preparing for Black Friday & Cyber Monday
The Differences between Black Friday and Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are both major shopping events in the United States, but there are some key differences worth noting:
Timing
- Black Friday: The day after Thanksgiving, marking the start of the holiday shopping season. Physical stores open early—sometimes even on Thanksgiving night—for deep discounts and doorbuster deals.
- Cyber Monday: The Monday after Thanksgiving, designed specifically for online shopping. It encourages eCommerce retailers to compete with in-person stores.
Shopping Venue
- Black Friday: Primarily in-person at physical retail locations, though many stores also run online promotions.
- Cyber Monday: Exclusively online, often labeled as “Online Only” deals.
Nature of Deals
- Black Friday: Focused on electronics, clothing, and appliances, with limited-time, in-store-only deals.
- Cyber Monday: Heavily centered on technology, electronics, and digital products.
Shopping Experience
- Black Friday: Typically chaotic—long lines, early openings, and crowded stores.
- Cyber Monday: Relaxed and remote—shop from home or work via computer or mobile.
Duration
- Black Friday: Officially one day but often extended through the weekend.
- Cyber Monday: Traditionally one day, though some retailers extend deals for several days.
In recent years, the line between the two events has blurred—many retailers now offer deals across the entire Thanksgiving weekend.
Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday: Which is Better?
Neither Black Friday nor Cyber Monday is inherently “better.” It depends on your business type, target audience, and whether you operate online, offline, or both.
- Retailers with physical stores: Black Friday is your prime event, though extending to Cyber Monday adds online reach.
- Online-only businesses: Cyber Monday is your biggest opportunity. Even companies without storefronts—like Grammarly’s Black Friday deal—benefit.
Many omnichannel retailers succeed by varying their offers: deep discounts on Black Friday and BOGO or bundled deals on Cyber Monday.
Start planning early—using standard business document templates can help you prepare campaigns and drive engagement.
Preparing for Black Friday & Cyber Monday
The key is time and preparation—from strategy to product selection, deployment, and audience engagement.
Build a Unique Holiday Marketing Strategy
Start with an omnichannel approach. The best Black Friday marketing strategies include both digital and in-store campaigns. Physical mailers can help reach nearby customers.
Focus on Cyber Monday for online visibility and targeted digital ads. Incorporate SEO keyword types like:
- Navigational: “toaster,” “Dyson vacuum.”
- Informational: “how to choose the best laptop.”
- Commercial: “Walmart’s Black Friday hours.”
- Transactional: “where to buy a vacuum cleaner.”
Create Special Product Promotions
What promotions you run can make or break your BFCM success.
Holiday discounts are essential, but you can also offer:
- Doorbuster deals – limited-time, high-value in-store offers.
- Product bundles – discounted combo offers.
- Free shipping – especially appealing for Cyber Monday shoppers.
Other creative promotion ideas:
- Flash sales
- Early access
- Free gifts
- Loyalty rewards
- Mystery discounts
- Gift cards
- Extended return policies
- Social media contests
- Charitable promotions
Influx of Traffic In-Store and Online
The success of your BFCM depends on both product and deployment readiness.
- Online stores: Stress-test your website to handle traffic surges and ensure mobile optimization.
- Physical stores: Prepare for more foot traffic with added staff, extended hours, and a reliable supply chain.
Balance ambition with capability—overpromising can harm long-term customer trust.
Takeaways on BFCM
Both Black Friday and Cyber Monday present major opportunities for retailers. Online stores can merge them into one long event, while physical stores may want to prioritize Black Friday.
The bottom line: Preparation matters more than which day you choose.
Author Bio
Yauhen Zaremba is the Director of Demand Generation at PandaDoc, an all-in-one document management tool for various use cases, including PandaDoc rental lease agreement template.
He has over a decade of marketing experience and specializes in electronic signatures, proposals, and document management. Yauhen frequently speaks at marketing conferences and enjoys fishing—taking nearly 20 trips a year.
