During these hot days you most likely having beach vacations, enjoying sun and getting the most of summer fun (We hope so :) )… But wait, do you hear this sound of jingling bells ringing in your ears? No? We understand that Christmas is the last thing you might be thinking now, however, for your e-store this notion is not so far-away as it may seem to you.
It might sound crazy to begin prepping your site for the holiday season in summer. Though, each and every year more and more shoppers begin their holiday shopping earlier and earlier. This is so-called "early Christmas syndrome". Early bird shoppers and budget planners start shopping for Christmas already in September. The "Back-to-School" season usually marks the countdown to the holidays sales rush with first clearing out the old stuff and then stocking the new.
We're not encouraging you to start launching Cyber Monday promos all over your site with Christmas trees, snowmen and other decorations right now. We do, however, strongly recommend taking some time to get your store prepared properly.
This concerns update of your product catalog with new items (preferably new goods gaining popularity at the market) as well as renewing inventory levels for your existing products. During the peak of the holiday shopping season you will hardly have the time for dealing with inventory counts getting low. So maybe this is high time to think about automation of stock fulfillment directly from supplier.
Your current best-sellers could very well maintain this status during the holiday season. For that do a little research and analysis to see best products from definite manufacturers, most popular goods from particular category. Create statistical reports to evaluate what did and didn't work during your holiday season last year.
Holiday promotions are critical to traffic and sales boost. However, there is so much pressure during shopping season, so often there is no much time for changing prices a few times. Though, plan your promotions beforehand, offering let's say 15% on Halloween and bigger discounts closer to Christmas.
In online store images are the best way to attract your clients' attention, so make sure that all of products have pictures and that they are relevant.
Listing your products at additional marketplaces and popular auctions, like eBay or Amazon, will rise your chances to get higher sales, when holiday rush will be in its full swing and clients will be looking for bargains everywhere.
Preparing for holidays can be stressful for everyone, especially retailers. Lots of work should be done and definitely you will not make it overnight.
Get into the festive discount spirit!