Table of Contents
- Why You're Running Late (And How to Catch Up)
- What Are Checkout Links and How Do They Work?
- How to Build a 3-Layer BFCM Campaign in Minutes
- Layer 1: How to Add Pre-Checkout Upsells
- Layer 2: How to Send Shoppers Straight to Checkout
- Layer 3: How Shopify Plus Merchants Customize Checkout
- 5 BFCM Promos You Can Launch in Under 60 Seconds
- How to Create Flash Bundles with Automatic Discounts
- How to Set Up BOGO Deals Without Discount Codes
- How to Add Threshold-Based Free Gifts
- How to Auto-Apply Sitewide Discounts
- How to Create VIP Early Access with Passcodes
- Why Checkout Friction Kills BFCM Sales
- Real Example: Live BFCM Campaign in 60 Seconds
- What You Need to Get Started (Almost Nothing)
- Common Questions About Checkout Links for BFCM
- How to Track BFCM Campaign Performance
- Your 2-Week BFCM Launch Timeline
- Why Simple Beats Elaborate During BFCM
- How to Get Started with Checkout Links Today
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November 14, 2025. Black Friday is two weeks away.
If you're reading this and your BFCM campaign still isn't live, you're probably feeling that familiar panic. The one where everyone else seems to have their holiday promos figured out while you're still trying to coordinate with your developer, waiting on design mockups, or wrestling with discount code logic that should've been simple.
Most merchants overcomplicate holiday campaigns. They think they need custom landing pages, complex funnel builders, hours of technical setup. But you could launch a complete promotional campaign (from first click to checkout) in less time than it takes to make coffee.
That's exactly what Checkout Links does. And if you're scrambling to get something live before Black Friday hits, this might be the fastest path to revenue you'll find.
Why You're Running Late (And How to Catch Up)
Maybe inventory didn't finalize until last week. Maybe your agency ghosted you. Maybe you were busy actually running your store instead of planning elaborate marketing campaigns.
But something's changed: the tools got better.
Whatever the reason, you're not alone. Every year, thousands of Shopify merchants find themselves in mid-November thinking "I should've started this in September."
You don't need months of runway anymore. With the right setup, you can go from "we should do something for BFCM" to "our promotion is live and converting" in the time it takes to eat lunch.
What Are Checkout Links and How Do They Work?
Checkout Links is a Shopify app that does one thing incredibly well: it creates smart URLs that turn any marketing touchpoint into a direct path to purchase.
Think of it as a shortcut button for your entire sales funnel. Instead of sending customers to your homepage where they have to navigate, find products, remember discount codes, and manually add things to cart, you send them a link that handles all of that automatically.
Each link you create can:
→ Pre-load specific products into a cart
→ Apply discounts automatically (no code needed)
→ Add free gifts or trigger free shipping
→ Send customers straight to checkout or a custom landing page
→ Track attribution with UTM parameters
The app is Built for Shopify certified and also won Shopify's Build Award in 2025, which means it uses Shopify's native infrastructure. No sketchy workarounds. No performance hits. It scales with Shopify's systems, so when Black Friday traffic surges hit, your checkout links keep working.
Translation: You can trust it won't break during your biggest sales day of the year.
How to Build a 3-Layer BFCM Campaign in Minutes
Modern Checkout Links isn't just about cart prefilling anymore. It's evolved into a full-funnel system with three distinct layers you can deploy (even at the last minute):
Layer 1: How to Add Pre-Checkout Upsells
This is where things get interesting. Pre-Checkout Extensions intercept customers before they reach your checkout page and present them with a targeted offer in a clean modal window.
Picture this: A customer clicks your BFCM link. Before they hit checkout, a beautiful branded pop-up appears showing:
Element | What Customer Sees |
Current cart | "Black Sneakers + Plant Bundle" |
Exclusive add-ons | "Add gift wrapping for $5" or "Get 50% off this complementary item" |
Action buttons | One-click Add to include the upsells |
They can review, add what they want, and proceed to checkout. The whole interaction takes seconds, feels seamless, and happens before they commit to paying.
Why does this matter for last-minute campaigns? Because it lets you boost average order value without building anything. You're not creating new landing pages or checkout customizations. You're just toggling on an upsell modal in the Checkout Links dashboard and selecting which products to feature.
A merchant could set this up in 60 seconds:
① Create a checkout link for your main BFCM offer
② Toggle on "Pre-Checkout Extension"
③ Select 2-3 upsell products
④ Save
Done. Now every customer who clicks that link sees your upsell offer before checkout. No code. No developer time. Just revenue optimization through strategic upselling at the click of a button.
Layer 2: How to Send Shoppers Straight to Checkout
This is the foundation. Checkout Links' core functionality is creating URLs that send shoppers directly into a ready-to-buy state with minimal friction.
Fast setup walkthrough:
→ Open Checkout Links app in your Shopify admin
→ Click "Create New Link"
→ Select products for the promo
→ Set discount (percentage or fixed amount)
→ Copy the generated link
That's it. You now have a URL you can drop into emails, SMS campaigns, Instagram bio, Facebook ads, or anywhere else. When customers click it, they skip the entire "browse and hunt" phase and land directly in checkout (or on a pre-configured selection page) with your offer already applied.
Real example: You want to run a "50% Off Winter Bundle" flash sale.
Traditional Setup | With Checkout Links |
Create a landing page | Pick 3 winter products |
Set up navigation to products | Set 50% discount |
Create a discount code | Generate link |
Hope customers remember to use it | Customers see exact products at half price, ready to buy |
Time: Hours to days | Time: Under 1 minute |
The entire setup takes under a minute. The removal of friction can be the difference between "I'll check it out later" (never converts) and "That's a good deal, buying now" (converts immediately).
Layer 3: How Shopify Plus Merchants Customize Checkout
If you're on Shopify Plus, you get access to one more layer: In-Checkout Extensions. These are custom elements that live inside your Shopify checkout page itself.
Think:
→ Progress bars showing "You're $20 away from free shipping!"
→ Last-chance upsells with Add to Order buttons right on the checkout page
→ Dynamic messaging like "You saved $73 today!" to reinforce the deal
→ Cart editing tools so customers can change quantities or variants without leaving checkout
These extensions make your checkout interactive instead of just a form-fill exercise. And because they're deployed through Shopify's Checkout Extensibility framework, they're safe and won't break when Shopify updates.
Note: This layer is Shopify Plus only (and requires Checkout Links Plus plan). But if you qualify, it's an incredibly powerful way to maximize every checkout during peak season. A simple "You qualify for a free gift! Add it now" message at checkout could increase order value across hundreds of transactions.
Plus merchants often underuse their checkout real estate. Don't let that be you this BFCM. Every pixel of your checkout is prime conversion space when thousands of shoppers are flowing through.
5 BFCM Promos You Can Launch in Under 60 Seconds
The best part about Checkout Links? Speed translates to flexibility. You're not locked into one big campaign you planned months ago. You can iterate, test, and deploy new offers as BFCM unfolds.
Here are specific promo ideas you can build in under a minute:
How to Create Flash Bundles with Automatic Discounts
Setup time: 45 seconds
Pick 3-4 products that pair well together. Set a compelling discount (40% off, or $50 flat discount). Generate link.
Post it with urgency: "Next 6 hours only: Holiday Survival Kit, 40% off. No code needed. [Link]"
Customers click, see the bundle pre-loaded at the discount, and can checkout immediately. This kind of flash offer is perfect for social media or email blasts when you need quick wins. Learn more about running effective flash sales on Shopify.
How to Set Up BOGO Deals Without Discount Codes
Setup time: 60 seconds
Configure the link to auto-add the bonus item when the required products are in cart. Or use the Pre-Checkout Extension to show the free item as an add-on.
Example: "Buy 2 candles, get 1 free." The link either includes all 3 (with one marked free) or prompts the customer to select their free candle in the pre-checkout modal.
No coupon code confusion. No "add this item, then enter code FREEGIFT at checkout." It just works.
How to Add Threshold-Based Free Gifts
Setup time: 60 seconds
Want to boost order value? Offer a free gift when cart hits a threshold. Checkout Links can handle this with promotional settings.
"Get a free tote bag when you add 3 or more items."
As customers browse your link or pre-checkout page, they see progress: "Add 1 more item to get your free tote!" Once they hit the threshold, the free gift appears in cart automatically.
This kind of dynamic incentive drives higher order values because customers actively try to hit the threshold. And it's all automated through the link logic.
How to Auto-Apply Sitewide Discounts
Setup time: 30 seconds
Running a "25% off everything" sale for Cyber Monday? Instead of relying on customers to remember a discount code, create a Checkout Link that auto-applies 25% off at checkout.
Send an email with a button: "Activate Your 25% Off." That button links to your Checkout Link. Shoppers who click have the discount applied automatically. Even if they continue browsing your site, the discount persists.
Why this matters: Abandoned carts due to "forgot to enter code" are shockingly common. This solves it completely.
How to Create VIP Early Access with Passcodes
Setup time: 90 seconds
Want to reward your best customers with early access? Create a link with a passcode (4-digit code they need to enter) and send it to your VIP list.
"You're getting 24-hour early access to our Black Friday sale. Use passcode 2025 to unlock."
They click the link, enter the code, and boom: exclusive access to your deals before the general public. Makes your VIPs feel special and can drive early conversions before the Friday rush.
Why Checkout Friction Kills BFCM Sales
Most merchants see checkout optimization as a "nice to have" or something they'll get to eventually. But during BFCM, friction at checkout is the difference between record revenue and disappointing sales.
Consider the typical customer journey when holiday shopping:
They're overwhelmed. They're comparing deals across 10 different tabs. They're in a hurry. Their attention span is minimal.
If your competitor's link sends them straight to checkout with the deal applied, and your link sends them to a homepage where they have to hunt for products and remember a discount code... who do you think captures that sale?
Checkout Links removes every possible point of friction:
Traditional Flow | With Checkout Links |
Click ad → Land on homepage → Find products → Add to cart → Remember discount code → Apply code → Checkout | Click link → Already in checkout with discount applied |
6+ steps, multiple chances to bounce | 1 step, minimal friction |
Requires customer memory and effort | Fully automated |
High abandonment rate | Significantly higher conversion |
The difference in conversion rate can be substantial. Especially when you're targeting mobile shoppers (who make up the majority of BFCM traffic) where every extra tap is a chance to lose them.
Real Example: Live BFCM Campaign in 60 Seconds
Actual walkthrough of building a BFCM promo from scratch:
0:00 - 0:15 → Open Checkout Links app, click "Create Link," name it "BFCM Flash Sale"
0:15 - 0:30 → Select 3 products for the bundle (Winter Hat, Scarf, Gloves)
0:30 - 0:45 → Set 40% automatic discount, enable free shipping
0:45 - 0:55 → Toggle on Pre-Checkout Extension, add a "Gift Wrap Kit" as $5 upsell
0:55 - 1:00 → Copy link, paste into email draft
Total time: 60 seconds. You now have a complete promotional funnel with main offer, automatic discount, and an upsell, ready to send to your list.
Compare that to: Hiring a developer to build a custom landing page (weeks + $$$$), or trying to coordinate discount codes across email platform, ads, and social (hours of frustration).
The speed advantage compounds when you realize you can create multiple different links for different audiences, test variations, and iterate in real-time during BFCM weekend. One link for email subscribers, one for Instagram, one for past customers with a special loyalty bonus. All configured in minutes.
What You Need to Get Started (Almost Nothing)
The barrier to entry is almost non-existent:
Requirements:
- A Shopify store (any plan)
- Checkout Links app installed (free trial available)
- 5 minutes to create your first link
That's it. You don't need:
❌ Developer access
❌ Theme customization
❌ Third-party landing page builders
❌ Complex funnel software
❌ Advanced technical knowledge
The app lives entirely within your Shopify admin. You configure everything through a visual interface. The links work on any device. And because it's built on Shopify's infrastructure (not bolted on top), it inherits all of Shopify's reliability and security.
For Shopify Plus merchants who want In-Checkout Extensions, one extra step is needed: enable the Checkout Links extension in your Shopify checkout settings. That takes about 2 minutes following their docs. After that, you can drag and drop extension blocks (progress bars, upsells, cart editors) right into your checkout editor.
Common Questions About Checkout Links for BFCM
"What if I need different offers for different audiences?"
Create multiple links. You can have dozens of active Checkout Links simultaneously, each with different products, discounts, and settings. Send link A to your email list, link B to Instagram, link C to VIP customers. Track each one separately with UTM parameters.
"What if customers want to browse instead of going straight to checkout?"
You can configure links to land on a custom page instead of checkout. This could be a product selection grid, a curated collection, or a landing page you've built. Customers can browse there, add items, see the discount update in real-time, then proceed to checkout when ready.
"What if I want to run this offer for only 24 hours?"
Use the scheduling feature. Set start and end times for when the link is active. Once the window closes, the link automatically expires. Perfect for flash sales and limited-time offers.
"What if I'm worried about the link being shared beyond my target audience?"
Add a passcode or usage limits. You can restrict a link to one use per customer, or require a code to access it. This gives you control over who can claim the offer.
How to Track BFCM Campaign Performance
One underrated aspect of Checkout Links: built-in analytics that tie directly into Shopify's native reporting.
You're not dealing with another third-party dashboard. Revenue from Checkout Links appears in your standard Shopify analytics, attributed properly. But you also get link-specific metrics:
→ Sessions and conversion rate per link
→ Revenue and AOV per link
→ UTM source and campaign performance
→ Time-based performance graphs
This means you can see exactly which promotional link is driving the most sales, which audience segment converts best, and which offers are underperforming (so you can kill them and reallocate effort).
During BFCM when you're running multiple concurrent promos, this visibility is critical. You can double down on what's working and cut what isn't, in real time.
Your 2-Week BFCM Launch Timeline
If you're thinking "I've only got two weeks until Black Friday, that's not enough time," consider what you can accomplish with Checkout Links in the next 14 days:
Day 1 (today): Install app, create your first test link, familiarize yourself with features
Days 2-3: Build 3-4 primary BFCM offers (different bundles, discounts, audiences)
Days 4-5: Set up Pre-Checkout Extensions for upsells, configure any Shopify Plus checkout enhancements
Days 8-10: Test the customer journey, make sure everything flows smoothly
Days 11-14: Schedule flash sales, monitor performance, iterate
You could realistically have your entire BFCM promotional infrastructure live within a week, leaving a full week for optimization and promotion.
Compare that to traditional development timelines where just getting a custom landing page designed and approved could eat up those two weeks entirely.
Why Simple Beats Elaborate During BFCM
Most merchants spend weeks building elaborate holiday campaigns that customers ignore because they're too complicated. They create multi-step funnels, complex discount code matrices, and beautiful landing pages that require 6 clicks to actually buy something.
Then they wonder why conversion rates are mediocre.
The truth is simple: Customers don't want elaborate experiences during BFCM. They want deals, fast. They want to click a link and buy.
Checkout Links is optimized for exactly that reality. It's not flashy. It's not trying to be a complete marketing platform. It does one thing exceptionally well: gets customers from interest to purchase as fast as possible.
And during the most competitive shopping weekend of the year, speed wins.
How to Get Started with Checkout Links Today
If you've read this far and you're still on the fence: just install it and test.
Checkout Links offers a free trial. Install it from the Shopify App Store, spend 15 minutes creating a test link, click through the customer journey yourself. See how fast it is. See how clean the experience is.
Then imagine sending that to your entire email list. Or posting it on Instagram. Or running it as a Facebook ad. The speed and simplicity of setup means you can afford to experiment.
Black Friday is November 28. That's 14 days away. You could have a high-converting promotional campaign live by tonight.
Or you could still be planning while your competitors are selling.
Your call.
Ready to launch your last-minute BFCM campaign? Start your free trial of Checkout Links here and turn "last-minute" into "just in time."
The clock's ticking. But you're not too late. Not even close.