Key Takeaways:
Discover five ways to boost your retail brand’s sales and improve your CX for the holiday sales season.
EMARKETER predicts that holiday retail sales will grow 4.8% this year here in the U.S. And, given that 50% of SMBs report that holiday sales make up at least a quarter of their annual revenue, July isn’t too early to start planning for holiday sales.
We encourage you to use this summer as a secret weapon to get ahead! Imagine this: calmer days tackling inventory, streamlined marketing campaigns, and a website prepped for the rush. By taking some proactive steps now, you can avoid the holiday scramble and ring in a season of success with more peace of mind. Here are five practical steps to take as you prep for your strongest holiday sales season yet.
“Half of small businesses claim that holiday sales make up at least 25% of their annual revenue.”
– Constant Contact, “Small Business Now” Report
1) Review and Optimize Your eCommerce Site
As you enjoy the summer sun, it’s the perfect time to get a head start on your holiday preparations by conducting a thorough audit of your eCommerce site. Think of it as your digital storefront’s summer check-up. Are there any broken links? Is the content fresh and current? How smoothly does your site navigate? Remember, a smooth and responsive site is crucial, especially as mobile traffic spikes during the holiday rush. Take this time to optimize for speed and mobile use, simplify your checkout process to remove any purchasing roadblocks, and make sure that product descriptions and images are enticing and clear. Consider introducing holiday-specific features like wish lists and themed landing pages now, so they’re polished and ready to impress your customers when the holiday season arrives.
2) Create a Comprehensive Digital Marketing Strategy
Start laying the groundwork for your holiday marketing campaigns by planning out a content calendar that includes everything from blog posts to social media updates, aligned with key shopping dates like Black Friday. Use the quieter summer months to dive into last year’s data. What worked? What didn’t? Adjust your strategy accordingly and set clear, measurable goals. Get ahead of the game by optimizing your SEO with holiday-related keywords and preparing your PPC and social media ads. Think of it as setting the stage now, so you can shine later.
“Use the quieter summer months to dive into last year’s data. What worked? What didn’t? Adjust your strategy accordingly and set clear, measurable goals.”
– Technology Therapy® Group
3) Boost Your Social Media Presence
Summer is a great time to spruce up your social media shops on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Make sure your product catalog is current and start crafting engaging holiday-themed content. Why not tease your audience with sneak peeks of upcoming holiday specials or run a summer contest to boost engagement? Plan now to use targeted ads to showcase your best holiday offers, making the most of dynamic ad formats to capture customer interest early.
4) Prepare for Increased Traffic and Orders
Is your website ready to handle a holiday stampede? Now’s the time to make sure. Check that your hosting can support the spike in visitors without any hitches. (We recommend WP Engine* to all of our clients. (It’s also the one we use to host TTG’s website!) Take a thorough look at your inventory, too. Are you stocked up on what you need? Set up your operations to handle everything smoothly, from customer orders to shipping, ensuring quick and accurate deliveries during the rush.
5) Enhance Customer Support and Communication
With the increase in holiday traffic, your customer service team should be ready to handle anything that comes their way. Summer is perfect for training on common holiday queries and setting up efficient tools like chatbots and automations. Also, why not draft those holiday newsletters now? That way, they’ll be ready to roll when the season starts. Use email segmentation to target customers with personalized messages and promotions, keeping them engaged and informed about all you have to offer.
Strategic Summer Planning Leads to Thriving Winter Sales
By starting your holiday preparations now, you’re paving the way for a less stressful and more successful season. You’ll be able to enjoy the holidays knowing your digital storefront is set up to attract and delight customers, driving sales and building lasting loyalty.
Position Your Business for Holiday Success
Looking to boost your holiday sales? Schedule a free consultation to refine your brand and prepare your business for greater profitability.
*DISCLAIMER: Links included in this article might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that we provide, TTG may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you!
