🗓️ Black Friday is in 31 days (Fri, Nov 27, 2026)

Black Friday checklist for small businesses (2026)

This is the condensed version of the 48-task countdown checklist in the Black Friday Profit Kit. It runs from late October to December 4, 2026. Items marked MUST are the ones to keep if you're starting late; everything else makes the sale smoother and more profitable.

1. Numbers and offer (do this first)

• MUST: Enter your real payment, platform and shipping costs somewhere you can calculate with them.
• MUST: Work out the maximum safe discount for your top 10–20 sellers (here's the formula).
• Pull last year's BFCM numbers: revenue, orders, average order value, top products, best email, best ad.
• Choose one main offer and write it in one sentence.
• Decide what's excluded (new arrivals, low-margin items, gift cards) and write it down.
• Set a revenue goal and check that your list and traffic can realistically reach it.
• Check stock on featured products and reorder now.
• Set your maximum ad cost per order (break-even CPA).

2. List growth and early access

• MUST: Add an early-access sign-up form or pop-up (email, and SMS only with proper consent).
• Create a VIP segment: past buyers plus early-access sign-ups.
• Post two or three teasers on social.
• Refresh photos for the five products you'll feature most.
• Draft the sale page with the offer, dates and exclusions in plain words.
• Record your regular prices and how long they've applied, so "was/now" claims are honest.

3. Write everything

• MUST: Write your email sequence (see our Black Friday email templates) and replace every placeholder.
• Write your SMS messages and confirm everyone you'll text has opted in.
• Write ad copy and submit ads early; review can be slow in late November.
• Build discount codes or automatic discounts with the correct start, end and time zone.
• Create gift guides or bundles to lift order value.
• Pick a free-shipping threshold (a common start: your average order value + 20%, rounded up to $5).
• Update shipping and returns pages with holiday cutoffs and return windows.

4. Test and schedule

• MUST: Place a real test order with the discount on mobile and desktop, as a guest and logged in.
• MUST: Confirm the discount ends exactly when you say it ends.
• Schedule emails and social posts through Black Friday.
• Check mobile site speed and compress large images on the sale page.
• Prepare saved support replies: shipping times, code not working, returns, order changes.
• Agree who handles what on each sale day.
• Set low-inventory alerts so you don't oversell.

5. Sale week: Nov 23–30, 2026

• Mon–Wed: open early access to your VIP segment, with a reminder 24 hours later.
• Thu, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving): a light, warm email.
• Fri, Nov 27 (Black Friday): launch email in the morning, reminder to non-openers in the evening.
• Sat, Nov 28: Small Business Saturday story email.
• Sun, Nov 29: best-sellers or gift-guide email.
• Mon, Nov 30 (Cyber Monday): launch plus last call (subject line ideas).
• Every day: log results and pause any ad above your break-even CPA.
• Every day: check stock and pull sold-out items from emails and ads.

6. Wrap-up: Dec 1–4

• If you planned an extension, announce it honestly and once. If you didn't, don't fake one.
• Turn off codes and automatic discounts; reset prices.
• Send a thank-you email, then a review request 7–10 days after delivery.
• Ship on time and tell customers about any delays.
• Write a short post-mortem.

Post-mortem questions (answer by Dec 4)

• Total revenue, orders and average order value?
• Total profit after product cost, shipping, fees and ads?
• Best email (subject line and revenue)? Best ad (copy and cost per order)?
• Which products sold out, and which didn't move?
• What should start two weeks earlier next year?

Compliance quick checks (US)

Marketing emails need a valid physical mailing address and a working unsubscribe link (CAN-SPAM). Marketing texts need prior express written consent, your business name and opt-out wording like "Reply STOP to opt out"; respect quiet hours (federal rules point to 8am–9pm in the recipient's time zone, and some states are stricter). Countdown timers should end when the sale really ends. Use real reviews only. General information, not legal advice.

See the dates laid out day by day in our Black Friday marketing calendar 2026.

More free BFCM guides

• Black Friday email templates
• Cyber Monday subject lines
• BFCM 2026 marketing calendar
• Black Friday discount calculator
• Free sample: the Black Friday launch email

Published October 27, 2026 by LUSRODRI, LLC. Examples are illustrations; your numbers will differ. Compliance notes are general information, not legal advice.