Cyber Monday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, with over $12.4 billion in sales in 2023 alone, according to Adobe Analytics.
Make sure your online store is ready to grab the attention of excited shoppers.
The holiday shopping season is a great chance to increase sales, reach more customers, and create a fun shopping experience for both new and loyal shoppers.
With good planning and creative Cyber Monday marketing campaigns, you can turn your store into a sales powerhouse.
Whether you’re a small business owner or an established online brand, these 21 Cyber Monday marketing ideas will help you create a strong campaign that drives sales, attracts new customers, and keeps current customers engaged.
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Understanding Cyber Monday
What is Cyber Monday and its Importance in the Holiday Shopping Season
In the United States, Cyber Monday is a big online shopping occasion which happens on the Monday after Thanksgiving.
It marks the beginning of the online holiday shopping season and is one of the most important days for online retailers.
During Cyber Monday, many online retailers offer significant discounts, promotions, and deals to attract customers.
This day provides a critical opportunity for businesses to boost their sales and revenue, as shoppers are eager to find the best online deals.
The convenience of online shopping, combined with the allure of exclusive Cyber Monday deals, makes this event a key driver of holiday sales.
Brief History of Cyber Monday and its Evolution
The National Retail Federation (NRF) created Cyber Monday in 2005 to promote online shopping on the Monday following Thanksgiving.
The concept was to create an online equivalent of Black Friday, which is traditionally the busiest shopping day of the year for brick-and-mortar stores.
Over the years, Cyber Monday has evolved into one of the biggest online shopping days of the year.
Retailers have embraced this event by offering exclusive deals and promotions, making it a highly anticipated day for online shoppers.
The evolution of Cyber Monday reflects the growing importance of e-commerce and the shift in consumer behavior towards online shopping.
Pre-Cyber Monday Marketing Ideas and Preparations
Getting ready for a successful Cyber Monday campaign takes planning and a well-thought-out cyber monday marketing strategy.
The key to making the most of your sales potential is being well-prepared—from email marketing to social media ads—so your campaigns are ready when the holiday season starts.
1. Prepare Your Email Marketing Campaigns
Cyber Monday emails are a great way to reach your audience.
Split your email list into VIP, loyal, and potential customers, and offer special deals to each group.
Send early access offers and reminders just before and during Cyber Monday.
Use personalized subject lines and eye-catching images to grab attention and make your offers irresistible.
Oakley’s Cyber Week email campaign builds excitement with a countdown timer, eye-catching graphics, and bold text inviting customers to take part in their biggest sales event.
The email uses phrases like “Rule the Final Race” to challenge customers, creating urgency and highlighting exclusive discounts.
Including images of discounted items like sunglasses, apparel, and accessories encourages readers to shop now and take advantage of these time-sensitive deals.
Here’s another great example:
Moosend’s Cyber Monday email campaign grabs attention with a countdown timer and bold messaging about limited-time offers.
The email emphasizes urgency with phrases like “last call for this season’s offers” and includes clear discounts on their plans.
It also adds an interactive element with a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ to win extra discounts, making the experience engaging for the customer.
2. Create a Custom Landing Page
Creating a custom Cyber Monday landing page with innovative Cyber Monday promotion ideas is essential for a successful campaign.
This special page will show your deals, highlight the best offers, and make it easy for shoppers to find what they’re looking for.
Make sure the landing page is mobile-friendly, as many shoppers will be using their phones.
Adding countdown timers and flash sales to this page can create urgency and encourage visitors to take action before time runs out.
Bloomingdale’s Cyber Monday landing page organizes deals by category, making it easy for shoppers to navigate and find what they’re looking for.
The page highlights sale items across different categories like women’s clothing, shoes, and handbags, while featuring discounts and emphasizing the urgency to shop before deals end.
The design is clean and mobile-friendly, ensuring a smooth shopping experience for all customers.
3. Mockup Your Products
Visuals are important, especially during the holiday season when customers are comparing products.
Create mockups of your products so customers can get a better idea of what they look like.
High-quality images are a must, but consider adding festive touches to show the holiday spirit.
Here are two examples of mockups from the 100+ options available to choose from for your product.
4. Automate Post-Purchase and Cart Recovery Emails
Cart abandonment is a common issue during busy shopping days.
To recover abandoned carts, set up automated cart recovery emails that remind customers about the items they left behind—include a special deal or coupon code to bring them back.
Sending post-purchase emails with holiday-themed thank-you messages can also build trust and make the experience more personal, increasing repeat purchases.
Pulp & Press uses a friendly, engaging email to remind customers about their abandoned cart during Cyber Monday.
The subject line grabs attention with “Oops… Did You Forget Something?” and follows up with a sense of urgency by offering 30% off orders over $100.
The email also includes customer testimonials, adding social proof to encourage completing the purchase.
The clear call-to-action button, “LET’S DO THIS!”, makes it easy for customers to return to their cart.
Bellroy sends a follow-up email 30 days after purchase to check in on how customers are enjoying their product.
The email is friendly and encourages engagement by asking for feedback through a simple rating system.
It also invites customers to share their experience on social media using #mybellroy, adding an element of social proof and community building.
The subject line, “Settled in yet?”, feels personal and makes customers feel valued, encouraging long-term loyalty.
5. Use Wisernotify
Wisernotify is a great tool to show social proof and build trust with your audience.
Use it to display real-time notifications of recent purchases, reviews, or how many people are currently browsing.
This can create urgency and encourage customers to act—especially when combined with your Cyber Monday deals.
Creating Urgency and Scarcity
One of the best ways to drive sales during Cyber Monday is by creating a sense of urgency.
Letting your audience know that they only have “a few clicks” left to grab a special deal before it’s gone can make them act faster.
6. Use Scarcity and FOMO
Everyone hates missing out on a great deal, which is why using scarcity and FOMO in your Cyber Monday strategy works well.
You can create urgency by showing limited stock notices or by saying that a deal is available for a short time.
Phrases like “Only a few left” or “Exclusive deal for the next 100 shoppers” can get customers moving.
Here are various types of FOMO notifications you can use to encourage visitors to purchase your products. Sign up for WiserNotify and start implementing them today!
7. Implement Countdown Timers
Countdown timers are a great way to create urgency.
Whether it’s on your landing page, product pages, or in marketing emails, a ticking clock can push customers to act before time runs out.
It’s a powerful tool to turn shoppers into buyers during the Cyber Monday sales event.
Ollie’s Cyber Monday landing page features a large, prominent countdown clock that creates urgency by letting customers know how much time is left to grab a 75% discount on their first order.
The visual countdown is paired with a clear call-to-action button labeled “Get Started,” encouraging immediate action.
The overall design is simple yet effective, showing both the limited-time offer and the discounted products available.
You can choose from various countdown timers to promote your Cyber Monday offers. Inside WiserNotify, you’ll find extensive customization options, A/B testing, and advanced targeting technology to enhance your promotions.
8. Offer Limited-Time Offers
Limited-time offers are another great way to drive conversions.
These could include hourly flash sales, early access to deals, or special discounts that are only available for a short time.
Letting your customers know that these deals won’t last forever helps boost sales as they rush to take advantage.
Dr. Martens’ Cyber Monday email features a bold, eye-catching design with a countdown timer that emphasizes the offer “Ends Midnight Tonight.”
The email showcases 30% off clothing, bags, and accessories, plus up to 60% off clearance items, creating a sense of urgency.
The use of a unique discount code “CYBER30” adds an incentive for customers to act fast and complete their purchases before the deal expires.
9. Use Well-Timed Popups and Banners
Well-timed popups and banners are a great way to get a customer’s attention while they are browsing your online store, especially during Cyber Monday promotions.
Highlight holiday deals, early access offers, or countdowns to encourage them to complete their purchase. Make sure these popups don’t disrupt the shopping experience—timing is key!
The Sill’s Cyber Week sale landing page includes a well-placed popup that helps customers find the perfect gift while they browse.
The popup offers assistance and promotes up to 45% off, encouraging visitors to take action without interrupting their shopping experience.
This approach makes it easy for customers to get more information and feel supported during their shopping journey.
Promotions and Incentives
Everyone loves a good deal, and Cyber Monday is the perfect time to roll out exciting promotions and incentives that make shopping irresistible.
Think about bundle deals, free shipping, or flexible payment options to keep customers interested.
10. Sell in Bundles
Selling products in bundles is a great Cyber Monday idea to increase the average order value.
Put together bundles of related products and offer them at a discounted price to give your customers more value for their money.
Lancôme’s Cyber Monday promotion offered a Holiday Beauty Box for only $75, which had a value of $542.
This limited-time bundle deal was visually presented with high-quality product images and highlighted the huge savings, making it an attractive offer for shoppers.
This kind of bundling marketing strategy is an effective way to showcase the value customers are getting and encourages them to make a purchase.
11. Offer Free Shipping
Offering free shipping is one of the best perks for online shoppers.
A survey by the National Retail Federation showed that free shipping can be a big deciding factor in making a purchase.
Advertise free shipping during your Cyber Monday sale to make it easier for customers to check out.
During their Cyber Monday promotion, Outdoor Research offered free shipping on orders over $99, which was prominently displayed on the product page.
This made it clear to shoppers that they could get their items shipped for free, encouraging them to complete their purchases without worrying about extra shipping costs.
12. Provide Flexible Payment Options
Offering flexible payment options—like installment plans or “Buy Now, Pay Later”—can help boost sales, especially for more expensive items.
Customers like being able to split payments, especially during the holiday season when spending can add up quickly.
During their Cyber Monday sale, Sephora partnered with Klarna and Afterpay to offer flexible payment options, allowing customers to “Buy Now, Pay Later.”
The promotion emphasized discounts up to 25% off and encouraged shoppers to make their purchases without immediate financial strain.
This made it more convenient for customers to purchase more expensive beauty products and boosted overall sales.
13. Launch a Loyalty or Rewards Program
Reward your loyal customers with exclusive Cyber Monday offers or extra reward points.
Launching a loyalty or rewards program can encourage repeat purchases and increase customer satisfaction and engagement during the sales event.
Sephora’s beauty Insider program offers tiered rewards, providing different levels of savings, samples, and exclusive experiences based on the customer’s spending.
During Cyber Monday, Sephora provides extra discounts and rewards for their loyalty members, encouraging repeat purchases and making customers feel valued.
This type of program can effectively engage shoppers and drive sales during the holiday season.
14. Run a Giveaway
Running a giveaway is a fun Cyber Monday idea to build excitement and get people talking.
Offer something valuable—like a gift card or a popular product—and ask people to enter by sharing, following, or tagging friends on social media. This can help increase brand visibility and reach.
Marketing Channels and Outreach
Reaching your audience during Cyber Monday means using different marketing channels to connect with customers wherever they are—whether through social media ads, influencer partnerships, or SMS campaigns.
15. Partner with Influencers
Influencer marketing is a great way to boost your Cyber Monday campaigns and reach more people.
Partner with influencers who fit your brand and have the right followers for your audience.
Have them unbox products, show off upcoming sales and deals, or offer special coupon codes for their followers.
This Instagram post from alison mazurek shows an influencer promoting an eco-friendly smart thermostat.
The caption shares personal anecdotes about the product and its benefits, making it relatable and engaging for their audience.
This partnership promotes the brand in an authentic way, encouraging followers to consider the product as a gift idea during Cyber Monday.
The post includes a link for more information and uses branded hashtags, increasing visibility and driving sales.
16. Use Social Media Ads
Social media ads are powerful for reaching your audience during Cyber Monday.
Set up ads on platforms like Instagram and Facebook to drive traffic to your site.
Make sure your ads are holiday-themed and clearly show your Cyber Monday offers.
Walmart’s #UnwrapTheDeals campaign on TikTok featured influencers promoting their Cyber Monday deals in a fun, interactive way.
Each influencer used branded stickers and animations to reveal different sale items, encouraging followers to join the contest and shop the deals.
This approach made the promotion engaging and visually attractive, driving both brand awareness and sales.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse ran a Cyber Monday-only promotion on Facebook, encouraging customers to buy eGift Cards with an incentive.
The ad featured a “Give & Get” offer, where customers could get up to $30 in bonus value for purchasing eGift cards, plus a 20% discount on their VIP card.
The ad effectively used a sense of urgency by mentioning the offer was valid for Cyber Monday only, driving both interest and immediate action.
17. Power Up Retargeting Ads
Retargeting ads can help bring back shoppers who visited your site but didn’t buy anything.
Use retargeting ads to remind them of the great deals they left behind and encourage them to complete their purchase before time runs out.
Alohas retargeting ads on Facebook emphasized that customers don’t need to wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday to get great deals.
The ads featured bold messaging like “No Thanks, Black Friday” and “It’s Over, Black Friday,” creating a sense of exclusivity and prompting customers to take advantage of the on-demand collections with early discounts.
By highlighting that current prices are the lowest they will be, Alohas effectively encouraged users to revisit their site and make a purchase.
18. Use SMS Campaigns
SMS campaigns are another effective way to reach customers during the holiday shopping rush.
Send personalized messages about flash sales, early access, or Cyber Monday deals, but be careful not to send too many.
SMS messages have high open rates, which makes them perfect for sharing time-sensitive offers.
Several brands, including MoMA Design Store, FERKOS FJ, and Dermstore, used SMS marketing to promote their Cyber Monday offers.
Messages included exclusive discounts, free shipping codes, and time-sensitive deals like “Up to 30% Off Sitewide.”
The messages were visually appealing, used personalized language, and provided direct links to shop, making it easy for customers to act quickly and take advantage of the sales.
19. Use Video to Boost Conversions
Video content is a great way to show off your products and connect with your audience.
Create short video ads that highlight your Cyber Monday deals, or share product reviews and testimonials that build trust with potential customers.
Video marketing can help make your promotions more engaging.
SEEKRZ, a popular influencer, created a video titled “Black Friday & Cyber Monday Deals coming in hot 🔥 Deals & steals from authentic stores,” showcasing deals from various brands.
The video included highlights of the best discounts and encouraged viewers to make purchases during the limited-time sales.
The engaging and authentic content helped increase visibility and trust, driving more conversions for featured brands.
Improving Customer Experience
A smooth shopping experience is super important during the holiday rush.
Customers want convenience and speed—make sure your online store delivers both.
20. Try Out Personalized Marketing
Personalized marketing can make your target audience feel valued.
Use customer data to personalize email content, product recommendations, and promotions.
You could even create personalized landing pages to match their shopping preferences.
Oak and Luna sends a Cyber Monday sale reminder featuring best-selling necklaces to those who clicked on the necklace collection in a previous email.
By personalizing the content based on customer behavior, Oak and Luna makes the email more relevant and appealing, which can lead to higher engagement and conversions.
21. Add UGC to Your Campaign
User-generated content (UGC) is a great way to build trust and show real-life experiences.
Encourage your customers to share photos and reviews of their purchases, and feature them in your Cyber Monday content.
UGC can act as social proof and influence new and existing customers, who are considering your brand.
Delani Jewelry features user-generated content prominently on their website, showcasing happy customers wearing their products.
The section titled “Join 30,000+ Happy Customers” highlights photos shared by customers on social media, adding authenticity and social proof.
This approach helps new visitors feel more confident in their purchases, knowing that others have had great experiences with the brand.
Website Optimization
Optimize Your Website for Mobile and Fast Loading Speeds
Having a mobile-friendly and fast-loading website is crucial for online retailers, especially during the holiday shopping season.
With more and more people shopping on their mobile devices, it’s essential to ensure that your website is optimized for mobile and provides a seamless user experience.
A slow-loading website can lead to high bounce rates, low conversion rates, and a negative impact on your online sales. To optimize your website for mobile and fast loading speeds, consider the following tips:
Ensure Responsiveness: Make sure your website is responsive and adapts to different screen sizes and devices. This ensures a smooth shopping experience for users on smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
Use a CDN: A content delivery network (CDN) can significantly reduce the load time of your website by distributing content across multiple servers. This ensures faster delivery of your web pages to users, no matter where they are located.
Optimize Images and Videos: Large image and video files can slow down your website. Compress and optimize these files to reduce their size without compromising quality, which will improve loading speeds.
Reliable Web Hosting: Choose a fast and reliable web hosting service to ensure that your website loads quickly and efficiently, even during high traffic periods.
Caching and Minification: Implement caching and minification techniques to reduce the load time of your website. Caching stores copies of your web pages, while minification reduces the size of your HTML, CSS, and JavaScript files.
Optimizing your website for mobile and fast loading speeds, you can improve the user experience, increase conversion rates, and boost your online sales during the holiday shopping season.
Wrap Up
Cyber Monday is a great opportunity for online brands to increase sales, attract new customers, and keep current customers engaged.
The key is to create a strong marketing campaign that highlights your best offers and makes shopping easy and fun for your audience.
From pre-Cyber Monday preparations to personalized marketing and outreach strategies, these 21 ideas will help you get the most out of this year’s shopping event.
Remember, every successful Cyber Monday campaign starts with good planning and well-executed marketing strategies.
Start early, focus on delivering value, and use a mix of creativity and data to engage your audience. Get ready to make the most of one of the biggest shopping events of the year!