As the biggest shopping weekend of the year approaches, e-commerce brands aren’t just getting ready—they’re going all in. Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) have evolved into a high-stakes battleground, with shoppers more discerning, deal-hungry, and primed for standout experiences like never before. This year, the winning edge is about more than discounts and free shipping—it’s about offering personalized experiences, capturing customer loyalty, and making every interaction count.

In this guide, we’re diving into innovative apps that do just that, transforming your BFCM strategy from “just another sale” into a tailored shopping experience that lasts beyond the holiday rush. Here are the top tools from Shop Circle that can help you achieve record-breaking sales, build lasting customer connections, and create a BFCM season to remember. Let’s make this your brand’s best BFCM yet—one purchase, one experience at a time.

1. Engage Customers Early with Restock Alerts

With SC Back in Stock Restock Alerts, you can turn out-of-stock situations into opportunities. During BFCM, popular items can sell out fast, but rather than losing those sales, this app lets you capture demand by allowing customers to sign up for alerts. Shoppers receive automated notifications as soon as products are available, keeping your brand top-of-mind and ready to convert interest into sales. Plus, analytics within the app help you understand demand trends, letting you stock strategically for the season.

Additional Benefits:

• Builds excitement and anticipation among customers waiting for popular items to return.
• Reduces customer inquiries about stock status, saving time for customer service teams.
• Increases customer satisfaction by making sure they don’t miss out on limited-time products.

Get started with SC Back in Stock Restock Alerts!

2. Increase Average Order Value with Personalized Upsells

CartHook Upsells is a powerful tool for increasing average order value (AOV), especially during BFCM when customers are ready to buy. The app’s one-click upsell feature shows personalized product suggestions after checkout, making it easy for customers to add extra items without complicating the payment process. You can customize these upsells based on customer purchase behavior, which works well for holiday bundles, limited-time offers, or exclusive items – all ideal for BFCM. A/B testing helps you improve your approach, making certain each upsell reaches its full revenue potential.

Additional Benefits:

• Drives spontaneous purchases by presenting complementary items in real-time.
• Allows easy bundling of popular products to increase perceived value and order size.
• Encourages product discovery, helping customers find items they might not have seen otherwise.

Get started with CartHook Upsells!

3. Reward Loyalty with a Branded Loyalty Program

In a sea of BFCM discounts, customer loyalty programs help your brand stand out. With SC Loyalty Rewards, you can create a customized program that incentivizes repeat purchases through points, referrals, and exclusive BFCM bonuses. Offering double or triple loyalty points during the BFCM weekend can drive more sales, as customers see increased value in their purchases. The app’s analytics provide insights into program performance, allowing you to adjust rewards strategies and track which incentives resonate most during the holiday rush.

Additional Benefits:

• Builds emotional connection with customers who appreciate being rewarded for loyalty.
• Reduces acquisition costs by building long-term relationships, decreasing the need for constant promotions.
• Supports customer retention by offering consistent, brand-exclusive rewards.

Get started with SC Loyalty Rewards!

4. Attract New Customers with Referrals

SC Conjured Referrals taps into word-of-mouth marketing, which is especially effective during BFCM when buyers are seeking trusted recommendations. By offering discounts or special perks for successful referrals, you can motivate your existing customers to bring in new shoppers. During BFCM, consider increasing referral incentives or offering a limited-time “bonus” for each referred customer – the added urgency can significantly grow conversions. The app tracks referrals, providing easy-to-access metrics to measure your program's success.

Additional Benefits:

• Creates social proof as existing customers actively endorse your brand.
• Encourages deeper brand engagement as customers are motivated to share their positive experiences.
• Provides a cost-effective acquisition channel that yields high-quality leads.

Get started with SC Conjured Referrals!

5. Simplify Bulk Orders and Volume Discounts

Encourage higher-volume purchases with Hulk VolumeBoost by offering automatic bulk discounts. BFCM shoppers are often hunting for deals and may be willing to buy more if the price per item decreases with quantity. Whether it’s bundling similar products or creating gift pack deals, VolumeBoost makes it easy to configure volume-based pricing, showing customers instant savings as they add items to their cart. This feature not only increases AOV but also moves more inventory – perfect for maximizing BFCM’s shopping frenzy.

Additional Benefits:

• Simplifies order processing for larger purchases, reducing time spent on manual adjustments.
• Reduces inventory quickly, especially for seasonal or holiday-specific products.
• Makes it easy to offer tiered discounts, appealing to both small and large-scale buyers.

Get started with Hulk VolumeBoost!

6. Provide an Improved Checkout Experience with Cash on Delivery (COD) Management

In markets where COD remains popular, Releasit COD Form & Upsells can simplify the buying process while still offering upsell opportunities. By capturing COD orders with a simple form, the app optimizes checkout completion rates. During BFCM, consider pairing COD with exclusive upsells like gift wrapping or expedited shipping for a limited-time price. The app tracks COD transactions, helping you manage and verify these orders efficiently, which is crucial during the BFCM peak.

Additional Benefits:

• Increases trust among customers hesitant to pay online, expanding reach in specific markets.
• Reduces cart abandonment rates by providing a familiar, preferred payment option.
• Enables tracking and analysis of COD transactions, giving better insights into customer behavior in cash-heavy regions.

Get started with Releasit COD Form & Upsells!

7. Utilize Reviews to Build Trust

Opinew Product Reviews App UGC builds trust and credibility by showcasing genuine customer reviews, a critical asset during BFCM. Shoppers new to your brand are more likely to convert when they see real, positive feedback. With features like photo and video reviews, customers can see products in action, which can be a decisive factor in making a purchase. During BFCM, consider spotlighting these reviews on product pages and through email campaigns to build buyer confidence.

Additional Benefits:

• Improves SEO by adding user-generated content to product pages, increasing organic reach.
• Reduces return rates as customers have a more accurate view of products from real reviews.
• Increases customer satisfaction by promoting transparency and authenticity in your brand.

Get started with Opinew Product Reviews App UGC!

8. Offer a Personalized Shopping Experience with Product Options

With SC Product Options, you can offer customization options like color, engraving, or personalized messages, which are popular for holiday gifts. BFCM is a prime time for gift shopping, and personalized products stand out as thoughtful, unique choices. The app’s flexible options let you add custom fields and pricing for specific customizations, making it easy for customers to tailor their purchases and increasing AOV. During BFCM, consider offering exclusive personalization options or faster fulfillment for personalized orders to increase their appeal.

Additional Benefits:

• Adds an element of fun and creativity, allowing customers to feel involved in product creation.
• Increases perceived product value, justifying higher price points for customized items.
• Sets your brand apart by offering unique, personalized options that are harder for competitors to replicate.

Get started with SC Product Options!

Conclusion: Make This BFCM Unforgettable

As BFCM draws near, now is the time to stand out in the crowded holiday market. By using these powerful tools from Shop Circle, you’re not just increasing sales—you’re creating a memorable shopping experience that can turn first-time buyers into loyal customers. Each app offers unique ways to engage, convert, and retain customers, helping you navigate this high-stakes season with confidence. From personalized upsells and custom product options to loyalty programs and trust-building reviews, your BFCM strategy can go beyond discounts to deliver real value.

This year, make every interaction count and make certain that each sale is more than just a transaction. Let your brand’s authenticity, innovation, and customer-first approach shine, and you’ll come out of BFCM with more than just profits—you’ll build lasting connections. Here’s to making this your most successful, impactful BFCM yet. Ready to elevate your brand’s experience? The tools are here, and the potential is yours.

Take Your BFCM to the Next Level!