Mark this date in your calendar: Monday, Nov. 26. It’s Cyber Monday 2018, — the day where retailers slash their prices on top tech items like laptops, smartphones, and televisions. Last year’s Cyber Monday was the biggest shopping day in American e-commerce history: Retailers generated $6.6 billion in total sales. If you want to grab a bargain this year, read these six tried-and-tested tips.
1. Visit Stores Before Cyber Monday
Millions of Americans will flock to shopping malls on Cyber Monday so there will be no time to mess around. Shoppers will grab the best bargains early on in the day, so you need to be quick if you want a great deal.
Visiting your favorite retailers before Cyber Monday will help you plan for one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Find out where your favorite products are kept in each store so you can locate them quickly on the big day.
Try and find a good parking spot ahead of time, too. More than 80 million Americans made a purchase on Cyber Monday 2017, so expect heavy crowds and lots of traffic at your local mall.
2. Use Social Media
Follow your favorite retailers on social media, and you could be the first to hear about the hottest deals. Brands often post Cyber Monday promotions and coupon codes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and this year will be no different.
Some brands use Snapchat and YouTube to advertise their Cyber Monday deals, so check out these websites, too.
3. Bookmark Your Favorite Retail Websites
Getting up early on Cyber Monday will help you secure the best deals on a wide range of tech products. Many retailers discount products early in the morning, so it pays to set your alarm the night before.
You should also bookmark your favorite retail websites before Cyber Monday. This way, you can find the best retailers on Cyber Monday and search for discounts quickly.
“Bookmark each useful retail website as you go,” says Money Crashers. “If you’re shopping for multiple people, you’ll probably accumulate a pretty long list of options. Create a separate Cyber Monday or ‘online shopping’ folder to sequester your retailer bookmarks.”
4. Have a Speedy Internet Connection
Your internet connection could make all the difference when it comes to finding Cyber Monday deals. Poor internet speeds will result in slow-loading website pages, making it difficult to find the products you want.
“Find a location with sufficient Internet capability if you have to, but remember that there are many other people doing the same thing – and Internet shopping in public comes with security risks,” says MoneyTips.
5. Use Mobile Apps
Last year, some retailers introduced exclusive discounts for mobile users. These promotions were not available on websites or in brick-or-mortar stores. If you’re looking for the greatest Cyber Monday deals, download your favorite retailers’ mobile apps onto your smartphone or tablet.
Don’t forget to turn on mobile notifications for your favorite retailers, too. This way, you’ll receive alerts when Cyber Monday deals go live.
6. Look for Free Shipping
Getting a massive discount on a TV or laptop is great, but you’ll usually have to pay for shipping if you make a purchase online. Factor in this cost, and your Cyber Monday deal might not be that good after all. This is why it’s a good idea to look for retailers who offer free or reduced shipping.
More than half of retailers increased their free shipping budget last year, while one-third of retailers provided free shipping before Cyber Monday even started.
Whether you plan to shop online or visit a brick-and-mortar store on Cyber Monday, the four tips on this list will help you find the best bargains that could help you save big this year.