Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Key Takeaways
- Success on Cyber Monday requires early preparation, with strategies focusing on improving consumer experience and leveraging data from previous years.
- With the right approach to preparation and promotion, sellers can navigate the Cyber Monday frenzy and turn one-time buyers into loyal customers.
Cyber Monday is not merely another date on the retail calendar anymore. It’s the Super Bowl of online sales. In 2025, it’s projected to be bigger, bolder and more competitive than ever.
Adobe Analytics forecasts U.S. online holiday spending to reach $253.4 billion, a 5.3% year-over-year increase with Cyber Monday alone expected to break $14.2 billion in sales. For sellers on Amazon and across ecommerce platforms, that’s both thrilling and intimidating.
I’ve lived through my fair share of Cyber Mondays. IYKYK… the server crashes, Amazon Seller Central abrupt policy changes, the surprise sellouts, the campaigns that went viral overnight… and the one thing I’ve learned is that success on Cyber Monday is won in the weeks before it happens.
Related: What 25 Years in Ecommerce Taught Me About Building Businesses That Last
The game has changed, and so have shoppers
Consumers are smarter and faster than ever. Nearly 57% of Cyber Monday purchases last year were made on mobile and Buy Now, Pay Later options generated nearly $1 billion in transactions. Shoppers expect smooth, instant experiences like one-click checkout, transparent shipping (usually free shipping too) and personalized offers (or bundles) that actually make sense.
If you’re selling online in 2025, your competition isn’t just the store next door; it’s the 8-million-plus other ecommerce sellers who are optimizing, automating and advertising on the same platforms you are. But here’s some good news. You don’t need a massive team or million-dollar ad budget to stand out. You just need to prepare with precision.
Prep like a pro
Start early. I mean now. Cyber Monday is no longer a one-day event; it’s a season. Shoppers begin browsing weeks in advance, adding to wishlists, comparing prices and hunting for early deals. That means your prep work should start in October. You may already notice sales trickling in at a faster pace like some of our clients.
Begin by analyzing last year’s data. Which products sold fastest? Which ads performed best? Which SKUs ran out of stock too soon? Forecast your demand based on real performance, not assumptions. Then check your infrastructure: your site speed, mobile responsiveness and checkout process. Even a two-second delay in load time can reduce conversions by up to 20%… yes, seriously.
And don’t neglect your Amazon listings. If you’re a brand owner, update your A+ Content, refresh product imagery with holiday-themed visuals and optimize titles and bullet points with Cyber-related keywords (“Cyber Monday Deal 2025” performs surprisingly well for SEO).
Related: Running an Online Business Is Tough — But Doing These 4 Things Will Make It Easier
Build momentum before the rush
One of the biggest mistakes I see sellers make is waiting until the weekend of Cyber Monday to promote. By then, it’s too late — consumers have already spent their money. Other brands/sellers/advertisers’ ad campaigns have gained momentum before yours. The smart move is to warm up your audience early.
- Launch teaser campaigns on social media announcing upcoming deals.
- Segment your email list into VIPs, one-time buyers and browsers who never converted.
- Offer early access or “exclusive previews” to make people feel special.
- Start advertising and collecting data with Amazon PPC (Amazon Sponsored) ads in advance.
If you sell on Amazon, apply for Lightning Deals or coupons now. They take time to approve and can massively increase visibility. On your own site, use pop-ups or push notifications that drive urgency without being annoying.
Affiliate marketing and influencer partnerships are another underutilized lever. In 2024, nearly 20% of all Cyber Monday revenue in the U.S. came from affiliate channels. That’s proof that a trusted voice can still drive traffic faster than an ad.
Dominate the day without burning out
Once Cyber Monday arrives, the goal isn’t chaos. It’s controlled intensity. Instead of discounting everything at once, try tiered deals that drop at specific hours. This not only manages web traffic but also creates urgency that keeps people checking back.
Shopify sellers, make sure your mobile checkout is super easy for the customer. Minimal form fields, clear shipping options and fast payment methods like Apple Pay or Shop Pay will be helpful. Test your cart abandonment sequences ahead of time; the hours between 8 p.m. and midnight are still peak conversion periods!
Customer service also becomes your secret weapon. I’ve found that using a mix of live chat and AI automation during Cyber Week can cut response time by 60% and prevent refund requests before they even happen. A quick, empathetic response can turn a stressed buyer into a loyal (and possibly repeat) customer.
Related: 6 Ways to Make Money Online in 2025
What happens next matters most
Many sellers collapse after Cyber Monday (myself included, lol). Exhausted from fulfillment and customer questions, they’re ready for a lull. But the post-Cyber period is where you turn one-time buyers into long-term customers.
Follow up with a simple “thank you” email that includes product recommendations or bundle offers. Launch retargeting ads to re-engage visitors who browsed but didn’t buy. And most importantly, study your data. Which ads had the highest ROI? Which products caused the most returns? Every insight becomes fuel for next year’s game plan!
Returns are inevitable, but how you handle them shapes your brand reputation. Make the process easy and clear: prepaid labels, self-service returns and quick exchanges go a long way.
My closing advice
If you remember one thing, let it be this: Cyber Monday rewards preparation!
Start enhancing your listings, planning your inventory and for Shopify sellers or sellers who own their own website, nurturing your audience now. Even one small improvement (i.e. a faster checkout, a sharper offer or a more engaging email flow) can add thousands (or more) in extra revenue.
As someone who’s built and managed countless Amazon and Shopify stores, I can promise you: Every winning Cyber Monday starts with deliberate steps and prep taken weeks ahead.
So get moving, because in the world of ecommerce, momentum is your greatest advantage!
Key Takeaways
- Success on Cyber Monday requires early preparation, with strategies focusing on improving consumer experience and leveraging data from previous years.
- With the right approach to preparation and promotion, sellers can navigate the Cyber Monday frenzy and turn one-time buyers into loyal customers.
Cyber Monday is not merely another date on the retail calendar anymore. It’s the Super Bowl of online sales. In 2025, it’s projected to be bigger, bolder and more competitive than ever.
Adobe Analytics forecasts U.S. online holiday spending to reach $253.4 billion, a 5.3% year-over-year increase with Cyber Monday alone expected to break $14.2 billion in sales. For sellers on Amazon and across ecommerce platforms, that’s both thrilling and intimidating.
The rest of this article is locked.
Join Entrepreneur+ today for access.
