Can't-Miss Black Friday Websites and Resources

According to the National Retail Federation's 2008 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, 72.0 percent of consumers have completed less than 10 percent of their shopping. So, that means the upcoming weeks are going to be big for consumers and retailers, especially online retailers.

Online

BFads.net: This site features thousands of Black Friday ads, updated several times per day. Registering on the site lets you create a shopping list, where you can select various items from their corresponding stores, and print out the ads and coupons. There are also articles on the site to help you get the most out of Black Friday, and get some tips and reviews on popular products.

Black-Friday.net: Many of the deals here are early releases by the retailers, but some are "stolen" from the printing presses of insider employees and leaked to the website. Create a shopping list here and you will be notified on Thanksgiving Day of which items you selected are in stock and available to purchase online. This site also features "doorbusters," items heavily discounted only in the early morning hours of Black Friday.

GottaDeal: Along with standard ads, there is a timeline of what you can expect on the site. The online section lists deals available for immediate purchase at the Black Friday price or "sometimes even cheaper." This is a pretty good place to check before making a final purchase to make sure you're getting the best deal.

Amazon: Of course Amazon has a Black Friday site. Associates can choose from a variety of widgets and include Gold Box hourly deals to entice consumers to purchase.

Mobile

This year more than ever, your mobile device could come in handy while shopping on Black Friday while in stores. BFads' mobile site is stripped down, and that's a good thing. It's quick to respond and easy to navigate - https://m.bfads.net. GottaDeal's mobile site is also handy, though not quite as user-friendly - https://blackfriday.gottadeal.mobi.

iPhone - SaveBenjis: Enter a product name or scan a bar code and make sure you're getting the best price.

Android - Compare Everywhere: Same function as Save Benjis, using a bar code scanner. Field tests by Website Magazine's staff have been very positive.

Twitter Black Friday: It seems only natural, Twitter Black Friday. Currently 609 followers and regularly updated, a nice way to see what retailers are offering out there, provided by shoppingblog.com.

Missed Opportunity

The "Biggest Missed Opportunity" award goes to two of the most trafficked sites on the Internet - Facebook and MySpace. There's hardly a mention of Black Friday opportunities and a search finds mostly bands. Facebook does have a Black Friday group, with all of 199 members, and one wall post since August.