7 Tips to Win Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM) with Mobile Apps

Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) are two of the biggest days in the retail calendar. But while everyone’s shouting about discounts, the brands that actually win are the ones that deliver a smooth, fast, and personal shopping experience.

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That’s where your mobile app comes in.

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More shoppers than ever are buying through mobile, and brands with their own apps are seeing higher conversion rates, stronger loyalty, and better retention. So if you want to make the most of this year’s BFCM, here are seven ways to get your app ready.

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1. Build Hype Early with Push Notifications

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Don’t wait until BFCM weekend to get started. The best campaigns build excitement in advance. Push notifications are your direct line to customers’ phones, so use them to create buzz and anticipation.

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Start with a simple “save the date” a week before, then ramp things up with sneak peeks, product teasers and countdowns. Keep messages short, punchy and visual.

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For example:

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• 10 days before: “Something big is coming 👀”
  
  
• 3 days before: “Your early access starts soon – get ready.”
  
  
• Launch day: “It’s live. 30% off everything for 48 hours only.”
  
  

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If you can, segment your audience so your top customers get early access or VIP previews. It’s a small touch that makes them feel valued and builds real loyalty.

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2. Offer App-Exclusive Discounts

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Your app should feel like the ultimate insider experience. Giving app-only discounts is a great way to reward your most loyal customers and encourage others to download before the sale starts.

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You could offer:

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• Early access to the sale before it hits the website.
  
  
• App-only product drops or bundles.
  
  
• An extra 10% off when they shop in the app.
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It makes your app feel special, while also driving more installs and engagement. Fashion and beauty customers especially love being “first in line” for limited products – and the app gives them that privilege.

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3. Reward Loyalty with Early Access

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BFCM shouldn’t just be about new customers. It’s also a perfect chance to celebrate the people who already love your brand.

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Give your best customers early access to shop before the crowds. A simple push notification saying “You’re invited” or “Your exclusive early access starts now” can make a huge impact.

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This not only makes loyal shoppers feel appreciated, it also helps you spread out traffic so your app doesn’t get overloaded when the main sale goes live. It’s a smart way to reward loyalty and keep everything running smoothly.

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4. Reactivate Dormant Users Before BFCM

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In the run-up to BFCM, focus on waking up users who haven’t opened your app in a while. These people already know your brand – they just need a reason to come back.

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Send them something personal and timely, like:

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• “Your favourites are about to go on sale.”
  
  
• “We’ve missed you! Here’s 15% off our BFCM collection.”

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Include deep links that take them straight to the sale page or a product they’ve viewed before. Even a small reactivation rate can have a big impact when you’ve got thousands of app users sitting dormant.

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5. Use App-Only Features to Improve the Shopping Experience

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Your app shouldn’t just copy your website. It should be faster, easier, and feel more personal.

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Use built-in app features to make the experience better for shoppers:

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• Send instant push alerts when products go live or sell out.
  
  
• Let users save wishlists and come back to them easily.
  
• Offer smoother browsing with app-exclusive Shop The Look
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• Offer back-in-stock or price-drop alerts.
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• Make checkout simple with Shop Pay, Apple Pay or Google Pay.
  
  

When the sale starts, customers will be in a rush. The brands that make it effortless to browse and buy are the ones that convert.

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6. Promote App Downloads Across All Channels

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If your app is going to power your BFCM sales, customers need to know about it. Promote it everywhere you can before the event.

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Add banners to your website, mention it in your email newsletters, and post on social media about early access or app-only deals. If you work with influencers, get them to mention the app as the best place to shop the sale.

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The more people download ahead of time, the more direct access you’ll have when BFCM starts – no competing for attention in inboxes or social feeds.

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7. Measure, Learn and Keep the Momentum Going

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Once the rush is over, don’t switch off. BFCM gives you loads of valuable data on how your customers behave – what they bought, when they bought, and what kind of messages they responded to.

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Review your analytics to see what worked best, then use those insights to plan future campaigns. Keep your new customers engaged with follow-up pushes like:

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• “Our bestsellers are back in stock.”
  
  
• “Your favourites are part of our new collection.”
  
  
• “As a thank you, here’s 10% off your next order.”
  
  

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BFCM should be a launchpad, not just a sales weekend. The goal is to turn those once-a-year shoppers into loyal app users who come back again and again.

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Final Thoughts

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Winning BFCM isn’t about shouting the loudest or discounting the most. It’s about creating a shopping experience that feels personal, fast, and friction-free.

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Your app is the perfect way to do that. It’s where loyal customers live, where conversions happen faster, and where your brand can truly stand out during the busiest weekend of the year.