The figures and scenarios in this article are illustrative: adapt them to your margins and your own data. They are not EasyFid customer results. See how to measure your results.
Black Friday is the big commercial date of the year. A day when customers flood in, sales spike, and the register keeps ringing. But behind that surge in foot traffic hides a real challenge: most of those customers will never come back. They came for the deal, not for your shop. So how do you turn that crowd of one-time shoppers into loyal customers who keep coming back all year?
The answer fits in two words: loyalty program. A simple, powerful tool that costs you nothing extra to run. In this guide, we'll show you how to get your Black Friday ready so it isn't just a one-day spike, but the start of a lasting relationship with your customers.
Table of contents
Why Black Friday is a key moment for loyalty
Black Friday attracts customers who, for the most part, only show up once a year. It's a unique opportunity to turn them into regulars. Here's why this moment is so strategic:
- A big audience: thousands of potential customers pass by your shop or visit your site. It's a chance to capture them before they head to a competitor.
- A buying mindset: customers are already in spending mode. They're ready to make a purchase, and more open to joining a loyalty program if the offer is appealing.
- Extra visibility: Black Friday promotions generate word of mouth and social media shares. If your loyalty program is well highlighted, it benefits from that visibility too.
The right reflex: don't think of Black Friday as just a day of markdowns. Think of it as a chance to sign up new loyal customers. A customer enrolled in a loyalty program tends to come back more often over the year than one who isn't — track that yourself to see the effect in your own shop.
3 strategies to turn Black Friday shoppers into loyal customers
Turning a one-time shopper into a regular doesn't happen by magic. It takes a clear approach, the right tools, and follow-through. Here are three concrete strategies to get there.
1. Offer an immediate reward on sign-up
The key to converting a Black Friday shopper into a loyal customer is giving them a reason to come back starting with their first purchase. A few ideas:
- Bonus points for signing up during Black Friday.
- A discount on the next purchase for new members.
- An automatic birthday gift (e.g. a €5 voucher, once a year) for anyone who signs up.
These rewards cost next to nothing, but they create a sense of reciprocity: the customer feels valued and wants to come back.
2. Make the sign-up moment personal
During Black Friday, customers are flooded with offers. To stand out, focus on making that first moment personal. Here's how:
- Make sign-up effortless at the register: create the customer's card in the EasyFid app in a few seconds, then show them their own QR code so they can add it to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet — no form for them to fill out, no waiting.
- Set a reward tied to what they just bought: if a customer buys a discounted item, set your reward threshold so a related product becomes a natural next reward (e.g. a free accessory after a clothing purchase).
- Use their purchase history over time: once you've built up a history for a customer, you can tailor what you mention to them in person based on what they tend to buy.
3. Keep the relationship going after the sale
A customer who buys during Black Friday is a customer you don't want to lose track of. Here's how to keep the relationship going without extra effort:
- The birthday gift runs on its own: set the amount once, and EasyFid grants it automatically, once a year, to every customer who gave their birth date — nothing to remember on your side.
- A welcome email goes out automatically: when a customer signs up with an email address, they receive one with their loyalty card — a first impression you don't have to manage by hand.
- Exclusive offers, said in person: for anything beyond that — a special offer reserved for program members, a mention of a product they've already bought — that's a message you send yourself, through your own channel, only to customers who agreed to be contacted. EasyFid doesn't send marketing emails or campaigns on your behalf.
The ideal loyalty program for Black Friday
Not all loyalty programs are equal. For Black Friday, the ideal is a system that's simple, transparent, and rewards the customer quickly. Here are the criteria to look for:
- A points system: 1 point per euro spent. It's simple, transparent, and easy for the customer to understand.
- Fast rewards: the customer should be able to use their points quickly (e.g. 100 points = €5 off).
- Smooth sign-up: the customer's card, created by you in a few seconds, should be added to their Wallet in seconds too, via their own QR code or a link sent at the register.
- An automatic welcome touch: a welcome email sent automatically the moment they sign up with an email address.
With EasyFid, you can set up your program in a few clicks:
- 1 point per euro spent.
- A reward at 100 points (e.g. €5 off).
- An automatic birthday gift (e.g. a €5 voucher).
- An automatic welcome email when a customer signs up with their address.
All for €9.99/month, with a 14-day free trial. No commitment, no hidden fees.
How to promote your program during Black Friday
A loyalty program, however well designed, is useless if nobody sees it. Here's how to put it front and center during Black Friday:
1. In store: make asking for the card the obvious move
Put up signage inviting customers to ask for the loyalty card:
- Your storefront and entrance.
- The register.
- Near discounted products.
When a customer asks, create their card in the app and show them their own QR code so they can add it to their Wallet in seconds. You can even offer a welcome bonus (e.g. extra bonus points) to encourage them.
2. Online: mention it on your site
If you run an online store, mention your loyalty program directly in the buying process:
- Invite customers to join at checkout.
- Let them know they'll earn points on the purchase.
- Remind them of the perks once they've signed up.
3. On social media: create some buzz
Black Friday is a moment when social media lights up. Use it to promote your program:
- Post stories mentioning your loyalty program and exclusive offers.
- Run a giveaway: "Join our loyalty program for a chance to win a €50 voucher."
- Share photos of happy customers to reassure new sign-ups.
Get ready for Black Friday with EasyFid
Points program, Apple & Google Wallet card, automatic birthday gift, automatic welcome email: everything you need to turn your Black Friday shoppers into loyal customers. From €9.99/month, 14-day free trial, no commitment.
App Store → Google Play →Frequently asked questions
Why is Black Friday a key moment for loyalty?
Black Friday attracts customers who only show up once a year. It's the ideal moment to turn them into regulars with a loyalty program that gives them an immediate perk. Customers enrolled in a loyalty program tend to come back more often over the year than those who aren't — track it in your own shop to see the effect.
What kind of loyalty program works best during Black Friday?
A points program with a fast, tangible reward (e.g. a discount on the next purchase) or an automatic birthday gift. The important thing is to give a reason to come back starting with the first purchase. Avoid overly complex systems: customers want something simple and quick.
How do you promote a loyalty program during Black Friday?
Put up signage at the register and in the storefront inviting customers to ask for the card, create it for them on the spot, and give new members a welcome bonus (e.g. extra bonus points). Online, mention the program in your buying process and let the automatic welcome email do the rest once a customer signs up with their address.
What pitfalls should you avoid during Black Friday?
Don't bury your customers in promotions. Focus on loyalty rather than pure discounting. A well-designed loyalty program builds loyalty without wrecking your margins. Also avoid overly complex loyalty systems: customers want something simple and quick.