Prepare Your Business Now to Avoid Holiday Headaches Later
The Sprocket Report
No doubt this holiday shopping season will be like no other, but while it’s not “business as usual,” it’s still business. Are you and your website ready?
According to sales forecasts, holiday shopping has already started and more shoppers than ever before will be making purchases online in order to avoid possible COVID-19 exposure. Folks working with a tighter-than-usual budget will be researching online to find the best bargains, while others may be strapped for time and looking to avoid complications. It’s not too late to update your business and your website to meet these needs. Here are some suggestions to consider:
Clarify Delivery Details
With an increase in deliveries, there is bound to be an increase in delivery time. If you physically send products to customers, set the appropriate expectations on your website so folks know what to expect – and so you don’t face their wrath later. If you still have last year’s purchase deadlines and delivery projections, they could be way off this season.
Sharpen your SEO
Fine-tune the search terms you have already been optimizing. Confirm how people are currently looking for what you offer and be sure you are using the same terms appropriately on your pages, content, images and social media.
Add Communication Options
Folks who shop from home are online during the work day, during TV time, and long after the kids have gone to bed. FAQs can help answer their questions 24/7, as well as provide SEO fodder. Post your phone number in highly visible places with a click-to-call link and consider launching an online chat service.
Remember “Mobile First”
Many people will be doing their shopping on their phones, so a great mobile experience is mandatory. Make sure it is simple and straightforward, easy to read, and easy to make choices.
Bundle Services as Gifts, too
If you sell a service rather than a product, you can still be a holiday gift. Folks may still be reluctant to use obvious gift certificate choices such as a massage, so you might want to extend expiration dates. Also people may need career counseling, downsizing help, or other services to help them recover from 2020 – and they have loved ones who want to give them that help. Consider what you can offer and how to market that.
The final, and most important, way to prepare for the holiday season is to smile. While this year may be a challenge, tapping into past happy memories and looking ahead to future ones will help you stay upbeat for the best customer interactions. What can we do to help you prepare? Give us a call and let’s talk!
Kate Gingold
I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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I have been writing a blog with web marketing tips and techniques every other week since 2003. In addition to blogging and client content writing, I write books and a blog on local history.
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