‘Tis the season… for some holiday spending. We’ve already covered how to prepare your eCommerce business for the festivities, but today we’re tackling just how you can get the ball rolling in the first place. By following a clearly developed marketing strategy, you’ll be able to bring in new customers, maximize your profits, and maybe have a little fun while you’re at it! Read on for our most popular hacks so you can start generating some buzz for the rest of the holiday season!

#1 Update Your Product Selection

No matter what you sell, there’s almost always a way to put a holiday spin on your products. Baseball caps? Slap on a grinning pumpkin. Dainty necklaces? Swap out the pearls for tiny fall leaves. Candles? It’s your time to go crazy with festive scents. Updating your product selection accomplishes a few different things. First, you get to show your creative side and build a more personal connection with your customers. Second, you get to offer limited edition items which can in turn become collectibles.

Remember, the key aspect is not to replace your products, especially if they normally do really well, but simply to add some relevant alternatives that’ll be sure to bring a smile to your customers’ faces.

#2 Offer Personalization

If changing or adding to your store’s existing catalog is not an option, consider offering customization at the end of the shopping experience. Here are some ideas:

• A hand-written letter
• Colorful packing peanuts or crinkle paper
• Embroidery or engravings
• Gift wrap
• Stickers

As you can see, it’s starting to get real festive up in here. While it’s understandable personalization may not be an option for every business, it’s definitely something to consider. You’ll be treating your existing customers to something a little more fun, and maybe drawing in a bigger audience by showing everyone how totally cool your store is. 😉

#3 Refresh Your Store’s Design

If things are looking a little drab, this is the perfect opportunity to revitalize your website. As a general rule, we suggest keeping things as simple as possible, as to not obstruct your customers’ shopping and checkout experience. Despite that, there are a ton of sneaky ways to add a little bit of playfulness to your digital layout. For example, you could add subtle animations, change your website’s color palette, and temporarily redesign your logo. If you’re experiencing a creative block, try observing how popular eCommerce businesses in your industry switch it up for the holidays. You can also look at websites like Instagram and Pinterest for a steady dose of ideas.

#4 Take Advantage of Social Media

If you really want to take it up a notch, look no further than social media. Aside from providing an affordable way to target your demographic, social media allows your brand to put its best foot forward. We recommend maintaining a consistent schedule and developing a great aesthetic for best results. You’ll want your brand to be easily digestible in a world where first impressions are crucial.

For the holiday season, how about taking inspiration from 12 Days of Christmas? Try spotlighting your products over twelve days in December for a festive spin. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to get your customers in the holiday spirit!

#5 Make an Offer They Can’t Refuse

To help clarify, we’re talking about discounts! You can provide discounts in a variety of ways, especially during the holidays. Here’s a quick rundown of your many options:

• Give promo codes for orders over a certain amount
• Include a surprise gift with every offer
• Introduce a rewards program for your most loyal customers
• Upsell with product bundles

It’s very difficult to turn down a great deal, especially during the holidays. Most importantly, this is a standard shoppers have come to expect this time of the year. Everyone is looking for great deals, and it’s in your best interest to provide them.

#6 Be Flexible with Shipping

It’s been shown that shipping costs are one of the biggest factors leading to shopping cart abandonment. Much like discounts, customers in the digital age have come to expect fast and affordable shipping. If shipping alone can make or break your customers’ last few moments at checkout, you can imagine how vital it is to up your shipping strategy for the holidays. There are several ways to group shipping options, but you’ll generally want to have standard, expedited, and express options along with affordable rates. Lowering shipping rates is typically done through negotiating with carriers. Of course, if you’re outsourcing fulfillment, your 3PL can do that for you!

We hope our tips and suggestions allow you to take your eCommerce business to the next level!

While the holidays can be a stressful time of the year, they’re also a fantastic opportunity to stand out from the competition and solidify your customer base.