Source: Getrefe

Black Friday is bigger than ever, with more savvy shoppers turning their back on the shops and hunting online for the hottest deals.

And, with 72% of Brits opting to go cyber shopping on the big day in 2016, we predict this figure will rise come Friday 24^th November. But you need a little strategic planning to be in with a chance of securing the best Black Friday deals.

From bookmarking your favourite stores to signing up to email newsletters, there are plenty of tips and tricks that can make your Black Friday shopping spree a success. Here's what to do.

1. Target your favourite online stores

If you haven't already done it, sign-up to newsletters from your go-to online stores. You might be first to hear about forthcoming Black Friday deals, with some stores even allowing loyal customers exclusive access first.

Plus any brand worth its weight in bargains will have at least one social channel, so follow them on the likes of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to be in with a chance of hearing breaking news about their sale.

2. Open online accounts with your chosen retailers

There's nothing worse than missing out on limited deals due to scrambling around for your credit or debit card. Signing up weeks in advance will make the buying process much quicker, and those extra seconds can make all the difference on Black Friday, especially if your retailers site has slowed down due to high traffic volumes.

3. Check the website is legit

If you spot an offer that seems too good to be true on a site you're unfamiliar with or receive a questionable email offer with a link, make sure you do a bit of digging before parting with your money. Google Safe Browsing is a great way to check out a suspicious link - simply type this URL:

http://google.com/safebrowsing/diagnostic?site=

Followed by the web address in question. You'll be notified if the site is known to have hosted any malware in the last 90 days.

Source: Picjumbo

4. Avoid impulse buying

It's easy to get caught up in the moment when you spot a bargain online, and many online shoppers fall into the trap of grabbing a product on impulse that they later regret. Draw up a list of the items you want, read online reviews and check out YouTube reviews to ensure you're buying a quality product.

5. Get online early

Double check when your go-to stores are having their Black Friday sale, as 'opening hours' can vary wildly. Some stores will begin the sale at the stroke of midnight on Thursday 23^rd November, while others may run their sale all week.

6. Have a plan B

It's not uncommon for websites to crash on Black Friday, and you can a be sure that many popular items will sell out in record time. Bookmark all stores that sell your wish list items and you can always try the next best store should something happen to your preferred retailer's site.

7. Read the small print

While most online retailers have a returns policy, it's not a legal requirement to allow returns unless your item is damaged or faulty (in which case you have 30 days to reject the item and get your money back). Always check out the returns policy as retailers might only offer you credit if you change your mind about a purchase.

8. Do some bartering

Sometimes stores will price match items in their Black Friday sale if you spot it cheaper elsewhere, which can allow you to save time and pick up everything from one source. Smaller retailers may be open to this too. Try dropping them an email - you don't ask, you don't get!

9. Sign-up to PayPal

PayPal can provide you with a swifter way to pay for your goods at the checkout without having to input your credit or debit card details. If you don't already have an account, sign-up here and take advantage of those crucial extra seconds on Black Friday! All purchases through PayPal should automatically come with Purchase Protection, which means it could help you to get a refund if your items don't arrive or aren't as described.

Black Friday is a great way to pick up gifts or treat yourself for less from the comfort of your own home. Prepping like a pro can give you the edge over the millions of other online shoppers, and will increase your chances of getting exactly what you want. For updates on The Watch Hut Black Friday sale, create an account with us and sign-up to our newsletter - you can also follow us on Facebook.