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Christmas comes but once a year. And every year, it seems to take many online sellers by surprise. At least, that's the impression you get from how unprepared some online sellers seem to be for the most profitable time of the year. Today, we'll teach you how to get ready for the holiday shopping season.
Present your items as gifts
Many shoppers can't face braving crowded shopping centres in the run-up to Christmas. Instead, they prefer to browse for unusual gifts online. Help them by making shopping in your store as simple and pleasant as possible. Are your item descriptions and images up to date? Customers appreciate recommendations, discounts on special items and free shipping. Which items in your store can you showcase as gifts? Why not offer customers the option of ordering items gift-wrapped and ready to go under the tree for a small additional charge? Creating a separate category for gift ideas can also help your store visitors to find just the right gift – a service they will no doubt appreciate!
Smooth logistics both online and offline
Many online stores see a marked increase in traffic in the run-up to Christmas. But will your hosting be able to handle it? Are you ready for a possible run on your products? If you are unsure how much traffic to expect, your provider can help you estimate it for your online store. In addition to getting your online store into shape, you should make sure that your offline logistics are up to scratch for Christmas: Do you have enough staff members to wrap gifts or do you need to employ seasonal workers? Also make sure that customers can return items with a minimum of fuss – just in case a gift isn't as well received as expected. For example, you could extend your normal return period.
Social media will get you noticed
Last but not least: Social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube are a great way to get your Christmas campaign off to a roaring start. For example, you could offer different coupons for the first 24 days of December. Or how about an advent calendar on Facebook? Promoting specific items on Twitter will also help you win new customers. After all, many people use social networks to find Christmas gift ideas. Take advantage of that fact to promote your online store. Don't forget to include images and strong calls to action in your tweets and you will take the Christmas period in your stride!
We wish you a very lucrative holiday season!