Tips and tricks for making the most of the season.
By Abigail Thorpe
This past Friday and Saturday marked two of the biggest shopping days of the year, and November and December serve as two of the biggest months for small business. Right now is the ultimate time to attract customers, when consumer motivation to buy and willingness to spend is at its highest.
So how to make the most of the season? Ideally, you’ve been planning ahead for months for your holiday marketing plan, but even if this year snuck up on you, there are some simple, affordable and time-tested tips that will help you bring more sales through your door this year.
According to the National Retail Federation, the holiday season accounts for around 20 percent of total annual retail sales. Service-oriented companies also have a chance to capitalize on this time, when people are continuously looking for good deals and interesting gift ideas.
First off, special discounts, deals and offers are key for this season. People are eagerly looking for the best deals, so find something that will attract existing customers as well as new ones. It doesn’t have to be a big discount, but it needs to pull people in. Even something as small as free shipping can go a long way in converting a sale.
This year, people are shopping online more than ever. Make sure your website is up to date, and if you haven’t already, incorporate an ecommerce platform on your website so people can still shop from the comfort of home. And don’t forget to list your holiday specials and gift ideas on your website where customers can’t miss it.
Don’t discount email marketing. Seventy-five percent of customers search their email inbox for relevant deals during the season, and this is an easy way to attract customers. This is also a wonderful way to provide gift ideas that help customers make fast decisions.
More and more people are looking to shop local, so this is the year to capitalize on reaching as many customers as possible. In addition to offering specials and gift ideas, create a festive place for customers to shop. You can even incorporate some out-of-the-box ideas, like partnering with other local businesses to offer gift packages, supporting a local non-profit or cause through your holiday sales, or setting up a pop-up-shop for people to get excited about.
Finally, don’t forget to show your appreciation to your customers. People have many options at their fingertips when it comes to where to buy, so it’s important to show them how much it means they chose to support your business.
Need help ramping up for the holiday season? Rocket Fish Digital is here to do just that. Reach out and let us know how we can partne