Cyber Monday: Online Shopping Strategies That Work

Cyber Monday has evolved from Black Friday's little sibling into one of the biggest shopping days of the year. Here's how to dominate it.

Why Cyber Monday Matters

Often better deals than Black Friday for online-focused products

No crowds or camping out

Deals often extended through the week

Better for tech, home goods, and subscriptions

Preparation Strategy

Tech Setup:

Use a fast, reliable internet connection

Have multiple devices ready

Install browser extensions (price trackers, cashback)

Clear cookies but keep login sessions

Account Prep:

Save payment methods

Verify shipping addresses

Enable one-click purchasing where available

Have backup payment if cards decline

Timing Your Purchases

Midnight-6am: Doorbusters launch, some sell out quick
6am-Noon: New deals roll out, yesterday's deals may disappear
Noon-6pm: Good time for measured shopping, some prices drop
6pm-Midnight: Last chance deals, potential extra discounts

Deal Stacking for Maximum Savings

Layer your savings:

Wait for the best sale price

Apply promo codes

Activate cashback portals

Use rewards credit card

Pay with discounted gift cards

Best Categories for Cyber Monday

Buy on Cyber Monday:

Software subscriptions

Electronics and gadgets

Home appliances

Online services

Mattresses and furniture

Maybe wait:

Winter clothing (better after Christmas)

Toys (may drop more closer to Christmas)

Travel (book on Travel Tuesday)

Avoiding Cyber Monday Mistakes

Don't assume everything is a deal

Check return policies (may be different for sale items)

Don't ignore shipping deadlines

Watch for sites crashing—have backups

Stay focused on your list and you'll come out ahead!