Esellers: heed these 10 last-minute tips for hot holiday sales
Congratulations, eSellers! You made it through Black Friday and Cyber Monday relatively unscathed.
However, this is no time to slack off. The selling season is in full swing and while it may be coming down to the holiday home stretch, there are still miles to go before raising a toast to a successful 2016 selling season.
As Payoneer’s gift to you, we’ve assembled a few last-minute tips to make the most of the season.
1. Remember your own gift giving.
If you have not taken care of gifts for your suppliers, now is the time to find a moment to be generous. Those suppliers give to you all year. Return the favor with some well-conceived gifts that show them you appreciate your partnership with them and hope for continued good relations in the New Year.
2. Beef up your blogs.
Frazzled shoppers are desperately trying to figure out what to give to everyone on their list. Make it easy by providing blogs filled to the brim with great gift ideas from your store. Sometimes giving a harried customer an “Aha” moment is the best gift you can give as an eSeller.
3. Send shop-by date reminders.
As the cut-off date for timely Christmas deliveries approaches, be sure to let your customers know what that date is. Post it to your blog, include it with product descriptions, and send out a reminder email. Giving your customers a heads-up will be appreciated and will also save you a bit of hassle as the date approaches. It’s a win-win situation.
4. Adjust your standard shipping options.
In the two weeks preceding Christmas, offer additional expedited shipping options and tracking information to give your customers peace of mind, knowing that their gifts will arrive in time for the big day.
December 16th is Free Shipping Day. If you plan to participate, let your customers know. If you cannot offer free shipping, consider at least offering discounted shipping on that day.
5. Give thanks.
As Christmas nears, be sure to thank your customers for their patronage. Include a special holiday-themed thank you with their order, or schedule an automated post-purchase email with Season’s Greetings and a hearty thank you for a wonderful year.
6. Make your list and check it twice.
As the middle of December rolls around, check to ensure that your social media campaigns and blog posts are on track. Is there something on your social media list for procrastinating shoppers? Coordinate your quick deals and discounts to hit before the holiday.
7. Watch those shipping dates.
Be certain in the week leading up to Christmas, Hanukkah, Boxing Day, and Kwanzaa that any items ordered for delivery before the holidays are on their way. Customers in the final week before the holiday are on pins and needles about when their items will arrive. Keep a good line of communication open by providing tracking information where possible.
8. Think beyond the big day.
The week before Christmas is also the perfect time to start thinking about how to promote your after-Christmas sales. Include a discount coupon in orders you ship, bundle some slow sellers for a deep discount after the holidays, and throw in a few best sellers to tempt those after-Christmas bargain hunters.
9. Save the skin of the stragglers.
Straggling shoppers are often high spenders. On December 23rd, offer next day free shipping to help out those last-minute shoppers who are in a bind and help out your revenues at the same time.
10. Enjoy your well-deserved time off.
If your operations will cease for the holiday, enjoy some well-deserved time off with family and friends. But while you are sipping your eggnog, start thinking about how to minimize product returns in the after-Christmas frenzy. Then, put it out of your mind until you return to work. After all, you need your rest for the New Year.