The holiday shopping season is just around the corner. If you own an online shop, it could very well be your busiest time of year, and it’s important to make the most of that. It’s time to start thinking about and planning some of the most effective eCommerce trends.
There’s good news for online retailers — an average of 76% of Americans shop online. Sometimes it’s for better deals, sometimes it’s to avoid the crowds and hassle of having to go into a store. But, that good news also needs to be looked at from a marketing perspective. With so many people shopping online, especially during the holiday season, what can your store do to stand out?
This is the time of year to grow your eCommerce store into something that will sustain you and make a profit year-round. So, take a look at your competition, do your ad research, and optimize your social media. The holidays are coming, and it’s time to jump on board with some of the most effective eCommerce trends.
Attracting New Visitors to Your Site
Having a successful eCommerce visit is about attracting new customers to your site, as well as making sure people keep coming back for more. The holidays are the perfect time to capture both audiences.
Holiday advertising needs to be enticing. People are eager to spend money, but they’re also looking for great deals and quality products. You can incorporate both into your holiday advertising by promoting special sales, events, coupon codes. Understand that holiday shoppers are on a deadline to get their gifts purchased before the holidays actually roll around. So, you can push the urgency of certain sales, letting them know you’re giving them the best deals.
Another way you can stand out is to promote yourself in unique ways. While posting about sales and purchasing ad space online does have its place, finding more non-traditional ways to entice new customers may work better for you around the holidays, when everyone is advertising more. Try running contests on social media for discounts or free gifts, or take people behind the scenes of your brand by posting photos and videos on social media of how things are made, your employees at work, etc. Promoting your business around the holidays doesn’t have to feel overly “sales-y,” and it can make potential customers feel more comfortable shopping with you.
Keeping Your Loyal Customers Coming Back
Remember that second part of a successful holiday season for your business? It’s keeping customers coming back for more. Maybe someone bought something from your store in May, and they haven’t been back since.
So, what can you do to draw in return customers, and turn them into loyal shoppers? If it’s been a while since they’ve shopped on your site, bringing them back with special holiday advertisements still works. If they signed up for an email list, send them special promotions because their business means so much to you.
Additionally, you can bring customers back by rewarding them for shopping. Many stores have a point system for their customers — like a virtual punch card that allows them to accumulate points for every dollar spent. When they reach a certain number of points, they either get a free gift, or a special discount.
You also have to remember that the holiday shopping season won’t last forever — but also, people don’t stop spending money when they’re over. You can keep customers coming back by offering sales after the holidays. Start planning your marketing strategy and promoting them before the season is over, and your customers will be ready to jump on them when the holiday rush is through.
Read: Developing a Content Marketing Strategy for Your Blog
Little Details Go a Long Way
During the holidays, it can seem like people are completely bombarded by advertisements everywhere they turn. While promoting your eCommerce site is important, and advertising has its place, it’s the little things that will really help your business to stand out, year-round.
One of the best things you can do is to make things personal. Form relationships with your customers by answering questions and responding to comments on social media. Or, personalize your email campaigns for people who are first-time buyers, or in a specific age group or other demographic.
If you really want to get personal and make your customers feel valued long after the holiday rush, take your marketing strategy offline. Including something like a personalized “thank you” note or a business card in an order can go a long way. Everyone wants to feel like they’re valued. If you can form that bond with your customers, they’re likely to come back again and again.
Are You Ready for the Holiday Shopping Season?
It’s never too early to plan marketing strategies for the upcoming holiday season. If you want to boost your eCommerce website traffic and sales, you should start thinking planing your marketing strategies early. Identify the current eCommerce trends and shape your marketing strategy according to the latest eCommerce trends.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and take a few risks this holiday season when it comes to your marketing strategy. Promote your business as much as you can, but keep long-term success in mind that will make your eCommerce site a popular purchasing place for people all year long.
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