2019 Black Friday Deals for Busy Small Business Owners
Have you been planning to invest in your business but just couldn’t come to terms with paying the full price? I know where you’re coming from. And if you can wait, it’s definitely worth holding out for Black Friday / Cyber Monday.
For small-business owners, the Thanksgiving shopping season is a perfect opportunity to refresh inventory and acquire new business equipment on a budget. Although deals are still some time away, it’s always a good idea to prepare early on and be ready when they arrive.
Here’s everything you need to know to shop in 2019.
What’s the Story Behind Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
There’s been some disagreement as to when and where the term “Black Friday” originated. The most accurate account seems to link its origins with the ruckus that occurred in Philadelphia in the 1950s.
In preparation for the annual Army-Navy football bout, city cops would have their hands full controlling crowds, preventing theft and handling increased traffic in the city. Given the unfavourable circumstances, law enforcement officers designated the Friday after Thanksgiving “Black Friday.”
Cyber Monday, on the other hand, came into existence as an extension of the shopping season. The term was coined in 2005 to describe the online sales spike observed on the first Monday after Thanksgiving. You can think of it as a little brother to Black Friday that focuses on online shopping.
Here are some interesting insights on the two:
- The National Retail Federation (NRF) reported that over 165 million Americans participated in the 2018 shopping season. The average spending per person between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday averaged $313.29 per person
- According to Adobe Analytics, the Cyber Monday of 2018 hit a $7.9 billion mark, thus becoming” the single largest shopping day in U.S. history.” The average spending across the U.S. peaked at $138 per person
- A survey by BlackFriday.com found that the most popular categories of items during the last Black Friday were apparel (23% of consumers), technology (22%), toys (18%), smart-home appliances (16%) and gift cards (12%)
Should You Participate in Black Friday / Cyber Monday?
The big question you’re probably asking yourself is: “should I jump into it?”
If you’ve been planning a business purchase for quite some time but wanted to wait for better deals, then the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. Whether it’s a new desk or an updated piece of software, pushing the decision later in the year can help you save some serious money.
Another reason why you should postpone business purchases is that you can get great deals on bundles. For instance, many retailers offer laptops and desktop computers bundled with pieces of software you’d have to pay more for if bought separately.
So, when it’s not a good idea to hunt for deals?
As a freelancer, I sometimes have a hard time discerning if a certain purchase is really a business investment or a personal whim. Trying to qualify such purchases as business expenses is nothing else but burning cash. The same goes for replacing stuff that’s still OK and going into credit when you don’t really need to.
If none of the above applies to you, then you’re clear to go!
Where To Look For Black Friday And Cyber Monday Deals?
For many, the hunt for best deals is part of the allure of the shopping season. But if you don’t feel like browsing scores of websites to make a purchase, you should check out the following vendors first.
COMPUTERS AND MOBILE DEVICES
As usual, the best places to look for tech items will be Amazon, eBay, Best Buy and Walmart. Each of these vendors has a track history of solid discounts on notebooks, desktop computers, tablets and TVs, so be sure to drop by.
You should also pay attention to major manufacturers like Dell, HP or Lenovo. For instance, Dell’s Cyber Monday will entail free shipping and early doorbuster deals you can sign up for on their website. Lenovo has already announced a CYBER SALE weekend where you’ll be able to pick up business notebooks, tablets and workstations.
SMART HOME AND OFFICE
IoT (Internet of Things) devices are becoming increasingly popular in our nests and offices (or both if you happen to work from home). So why not use Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to future-proof your surroundings?
In 2019, Amazon will be the first place to look for exclusive deals on Alexa-enabled smart speakers, intelligent door locks, smart plugs and a whole range of security systems that will make your office more connected and yourself more productive.
Google Store is yet another mother lode of bargains that you should drop by this November. You can expect discounts on smart-home devices like Nest doorbells and thermostats or Google Home speakers.
VPN AND ANTIVIRUS SOFTWARE
Digital Security is a key concern for those running a small business these days (read my article on Digital Security to learn why). If you don’t use a VPN (virtual private network) and antivirus software yet, you should brush up and hunt for deals in this department.
Last year, NordVPN dropped the price of all its long-term plans by 75% (there’s still an ongoing sale this very moment) so you should check their website when November comes. You can expect similar offers from other popular VPN providers like ExpressVPN or Tunnelbear.
Since many antivirus-software vendors cut their prices last year, it might be a good idea to look for deals at the source and regularly peep at the websites of Avast, Bitdefender, Kaspersky, Norton or McAfee for ads. In 2018, discounts were as high as 60% and you can expect similar deals this year.
DOMAINS & HOSTING
If you feel that your business website could use an upgrade (or you’re still considering creating one), you might want to stay on the lookout for upcoming deals from domain vendors and hosting-service providers.
Last year, you could snatch tasty deals from SiteGround, HostGator or BlueHost, among others. The discounts run up to 75% off for annual plans and included cheaper domain names across several vendors.
On that note, if you need some help with creating your business website or a portfolio, be sure to read the 2019 Guide to Creating an Online Portfolio.
STATIONERY AND OFFICE SUPPLIES
Black Friday weekend is also a good opportunity to restock office supplies and stationery or churn out branded marketing materials. Since you’ll be shopping close to the holiday season, you could also consider ordering some seasonal gifts for your customers. You can expect to find interesting deals on Staples, Vistaprint and Moo (up to 60% off during the last Black Friday).
BUSINESS EDUCATION
Black Friday shopping weekend is not only about tangible assets. Every savvy business owner knows that self-education is paramount if you want your company to prosper. For that reason, you should be vigilant for affordable learning opportunities.
Last year, Amazon offered a discount on their Audible subscription (53 % off the 3-month plan and additional perks for new subscribers). If you don’t have the time to read paperbacks, audiobooks may become your treat this year.
The rising popularity of MOOC (massive open online course) means more deals popping up each year. It might be a good idea to check online-learning sites like Udacity, Udemy, Khan Academy, FutureLearn and EdX for exclusive offers and promo codes for their courses.
4 Black Friday and Cyber Monday Buying Tips
- CREATE A WISHLIST
Before you roll up your sleeves and start hunting for deals, you should have a solid idea of what you need and why you need it in the first place. Give your inventory an honest review and see where best to allocate money.
Many online retailers (like Amazon, Best Buy or eBay) give registered users the ability to create a digital wishlist where you can add the items you’re planning to buy. Whenever an item from your list gets discounted, you’ll be notified via e-mail or in a mobile app.
- SET UP A BUDGET
The key benefit of making early preparations is that you can build up a budget exclusively for the shopping season. Once you’ve reviewed your inventory and filled up the wishlist, you more or less know how much an item is going to cost you. Start setting aside small sums each month.
When November sales hit, you won’t have to deal with the anguish of parting with a lump sum. You also won’t be tempted to finance the purchases with your credit card (consider that only if additional discounts apply) and will avoid having to deal with soaring interest in the long run.
- DO YOUR RESEARCH
You can use tools like Google Shopping to compare prices across several vendors and see where you can get the best bang for your buck. Price-comparison platforms come with product reviews, specs sheets, and filtering options so you get a complete overview of the items you’re looking for. Other noteworthy services include Yahoo Shopping, Shopzilla or PriceGrabber.
- CHECK RETURN POLICIES AND READ THE FINE PRINT
Some retailers tend to change their return policies during shopping holidays so be sure to read them before committing to a purchase. That said, as long as you keep the receipt, don’t damage the item and return it in the original packaging, you should be fine.
Even with solid planning and diligent research, not every purchase you make on Black Friday or Cyber Monday will be a keeper. Deals fluctuate across the shopping season so don’t feel bad about returning an item and buying it cheaper from a different vendor.
Conclusion
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are perfect opportunities to beef up your business resources and reinvest some of that hard-earned cash. Practice, mindful shopping, don’t get carried away with the buying frenzy and remember that not every deal is worth your attention.