The biggest shopping season of the year will soon be here, which means it's time to get ready for some of the best Black Friday deals on software as a service (SaaS) products. This year, Black Friday falls on November 24th, kicking off a long weekend full of savings for busy founders and entrepreneurs looking to upgrade their tech stacks without breaking the bank.
With so many great deals on essential business platforms launching over the Black Friday to Cyber Monday shopping weekend, it can be overwhelming trying to navigate the sales and find the deepest discounts.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to save big on the SaaS tools and subscriptions your startup needs to succeed in 2023. You’ll learn:
- The best deals across top SaaS categories like website builders, email services, ecommerce platforms, marketing tools, analytics and more
- Pro tips for maximizing savings with stacking promo codes, ideal timing, annual billing, and more
- How to strategically evaluate deals to choose the software that best fits your needs
- Overviews of the top can’t-miss SaaS deals for startups and small businesses
Let’s dive in and uncover how you can treat your business to a digital boost this Black Friday without breaking the bank!
The Landscape of Black Friday SaaS Deals: Discounts by Category
To help you focus your Black Friday deal hunting efforts, we’ve compiled an overview of the major SaaS categories offering the deepest discounts:
Website Builders
Expect significant savings from leading platforms like Wix, Squarespace, Webflow, and Bubble this Black Friday. Discounts of 30-50% off are likely, along with other perks like free domains.
Marketing & SEO Tools
Top marketing tools like Mailchimp, Buffer, SEMrush, and Moz routinely offer at least 25% off annual plans. SEO tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush often have 40%+ BFCM deals.
Ecommerce Platforms
Leading ecommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce provide rare discounts of 10-25% off subscriptions for Black Friday.
Email Marketing Software
Email marketing tools like ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, Drip, and GetResponse typically offer 25-35% off all annual plan purchases.
Analytics & Tracking
Google Analytics, Mixpanel, Amplitude, and Heap Analytics usually offer 20-30% off annual subscriptions during Black Friday sales.
Project Management & Productivity
Expect 25-50% discounts on project management platforms like Asana, Trello, Basecamp, and Monday.com.
Design & Prototyping Tools
Top design tools like Sketch, Figma, InVision, and Adobe XD offer 20-40% off all subscriptions during BFCM sales.
Customer Support & Live Chat
Support software from Zendesk, Intercom, Drift, and HelpScout offer 20-30% off with annual purchase.
With huge savings across all of these essential SaaS categories, Black Friday is the perfect time for startups to invest in the platforms they need to streamline workflows and support growth in 2023.
Crafting Your Black Friday SaaS Shopping Strategy
To ensure you maximize savings and avoid missing out on deals, it’s important to craft a strategic shopping plan.
Make a Wish List
Track the tools you want and watch for upcoming deals. This helps you stay focused and jump on discounts when they launch. Sign up for email alerts from the vendors.
Set a Budget
Decide what you can realistically afford to spend on software. Factor in any team members who will need access too.
Follow SaaS Deal Aggregators
Keep an eye on sites like SaaSworthy and SaaSGenius that compile the latest SaaS deals across the web.
Use Coupon Code Stacking
Combine coupon codes, free trial offers, and referral discounts to maximize savings.
Purchase Annual Plans
Opt for discounted annual subscriptions over monthly plans to secure the lowest rates.
Act Fast on Limited Deals
Lightning deals and flash sales often sell out quickly. Be ready to purchase quickly.
Ideal Times to Shop Black Friday SaaS Deals
Timing is critical for grabbing the very best bargains. Here is when to shop:
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Week Before Black Friday: Early access deals launch. Sign up for alerts.
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Thanksgiving Day: Online sales kick off. Shop new discounts.
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Black Friday: Biggest discounts go live. Act fast before they sell out.
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Small Business Saturday: Special deals for SMBs launch this day.
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Cyber Monday: Final chance for deals. New flash sales often appear.
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Post-Cyber Monday: Look for extended deals before prices go back up.
Shopping early ensures you don't miss out on the hottest deals that often sell out fast. And staying vigilant after Cyber Monday means you can grab extra last-minute savings before sales end.
Pro Tips for Scoring the Biggest Discounts
Use these pro tips to amplify your savings:
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Find coupons and vouchers: Check online deal forums and company social media.
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Upgrade plans: Take advantage of discounts for higher tiers.
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Refer friends: Referral perks can stack on top of BFCM deals.
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Ask about specials: Reach out to sales for custom quotes and bundles.
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Prepay annually: Yearly subscriptions unlock lower rates.
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Purchase gift cards: Lock in savings now to use credits later.
With the right techniques, you can stack savings from multiple promos and maximize value.
How to Choose the Best Black Friday SaaS Tools
The sheer volume of Black Friday SaaS deals makes it hard to identify the truly standout discounts on must-have platforms for your specific needs.
Here are tips for evaluating deals:
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Compare features: Make sure the tool has everything you need to support your goals.
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Assess scalability: Confirm the platform can grow with your startup over time.
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Check integrations: Important if you use other apps and need seamless workflows.
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Evaluate support options: Look for responsive customer service channels.
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Read reviews and feedback: This provides insight into real user experiences.
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Make sure savings are real: Compare deal prices to non-discounted rates.
Taking the time to thoroughly assess tools using these metrics helps ensure you choose the best SaaS products for your needs at the best possible value.
Top 10 Can't-Miss Black Friday SaaS Deals
Now let's dive into the cream of the crop - the top SaaS deals you absolutely should not miss this Black Friday as a startup founder or small business owner.
1. Shopify - 2 Months Free + 10% Off
Ecommerce superstar Shopify rarely offers discounts, so grab this deal of 2 free months plus 10% off annual plans.
2. HubSpot - 30% Off All Software
Get a 30% discount on HubSpot's all-in-one marketing, sales, and CRM platform.
3. Mailchimp - 30% Off First Year
Score 30% off your first year when you sign up for any Mailchimp annual plan.
4. Hootsuite - 35% Off Pro Plan
Manage social media marketing in one dashboard with 35% off Hootsuite Pro.
5. Intercom - 6 Months Free
Chat with customers in real-time with 6 months free when you buy Intercom Messenger.
6. Wix - Free Domain + 40% Off Premium Plans
Build a stunning website with a free domain and 40% first year discount from website builder Wix.
7. Zendesk - 45% Off All Products
Get 45% off Zendesk’s super-powered customer service software.
8. Gusto - 3 Months Free
Streamline payroll, benefits, HR and more with 3 months free from leading SMB platform Gusto.
9. Dropbox - 40% Discount
Upgrade your cloud storage with 40% off annual Dropbox Business plans.
10. Quickbooks - 50% Off for 3 Months
Manage accounting and finances easily with 50% off Quickbooks for your first 3 months.
This list represents the top tier of must-buy SaaS deals for startups and SMBs this Black Friday. Act fast before these limited-time discounts disappear!
More Hot Deals Across Top Software Categories
Beyond the cream of the crop list above, keep a look out for additional stellar deals across these categories:
Website Builders
- Squarespace - Free custom domain with annual plans
- Webflow - 6 months free trial + 20% off paid plans
- Bubble - 25% off for 1 year
Email Marketing Tools
- ConvertKit - 30% off all plans
- ActiveCampaign - Free branded email designer
- Drip - First month free, 25% off for 1 year
Ecommerce Platforms
- Shopify - Discounts on add-ons like payments, shipping, and Capital
- BigCommerce - 50% off first 3 months
- Square - First month free, then 20% off subscriptions
Marketing Tools
- SEMrush - 30% off all subscription plans
- Buffer - 25% off social media tools
- Sprout Social - 30% off all plans
Analytics & Data
- Amplitude - 2 months free on annual plans
- Mixpanel - 40% off all plans for first year
- Hotjar - 30% off premium plans
Project Management
- Asana - 50% off Premium plan for 6 months
- Trello - First year 50% off Business Class plan
- Monday.com - Two free months
With hundreds of Black Friday SaaS deals launching, focus your shopping on the top products in your software stack. Look for the biggest discounts on highly-rated platforms that best fit your specific needs and budget.
Plan Ahead and Save Big on Must-Have Business Tools
As an entrepreneur or startup founder, Black Friday 2022 represents a huge opportunity to score rare discounts on the essential SaaS platforms and tools your business needs to thrive. By planning ahead, setting a clear budget, following deal aggregators, and acting fast on the best offers, you can unlock huge savings.
Investing in discounted software now powers productivity, growth, and success next year. Take advantage of these rare SaaS deals and treat your startup to a digital boost!
We hope this guide gives you a strategic overview of the SaaS deal landscape so you can maximize savings and upgrade your tech stack this Black Friday. What deals are you planning to take advantage of? Let us know!
