It’s game time! According to the National Retail Federation, “20 to 40 percent of yearly sales for small and mid-sized retailers take place within the last two months of the year.” This is an important time of year for small businesses and holiday shoppers can often make or break a year for small business owners.
Brace yourself…is your company ready to take part in the $965 billion forecasted to be spent at retailers between November and January this year? That number is up 4% from last year, which could mean a happy holiday for your small business! Here are a few tips to get up with the times and make sure your small business marketing is on point this holiday season:
- Get your website in the best shape it’s ever been. Americans plan to do almost half of their holiday shopping online this year, and one in five of those who own smartphones will use them to purchase holiday merchandise. This means that every button, link, and gadget on your site should be performing at it’s best.
- Start early. Launch your holiday marketing campaign shortly after Halloween for best results. If you haven’t created your holiday marketing plan yet, now is the time! Look back on past years to see what incentivizes customers to come to you–whether it’s coupons, discounts, extended shopping hours, referral programs, or email campaigns, find what works for your customer base and use it to your advantage.
- Have mobile on the mind. Almost all holiday shoppers have smart phones in hand as they begin their shopping. Whether they’re actually shopping, or just browsing for gift ideas on Pinterest, make your small business visible and at the forefront of their mind as they hop on the internet.
- Make social media your best friend. Your customers love it and so should you. Make sure your social media sites are current by updating all cover photos to reflect a holiday theme. Offer exclusive deals and discounts for your social media friends and followers, and update your status regularly to keep your page looking fresh.
- Offer free shipping. If you don’t already offer free shipping, now is the time. Customers love it this time of year, and they’re more likely to spend money at your business or store if they feel like they’re getting a good deal without leaving their home. In fact, 42% of holiday shoppers actually seek out shipping deals this time of year.
- Consider Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising. If potential customers can’t find your business online, they won’t shop there. It’s as simple as that. Pay per click advertising during the holidays can really step up your marketing game and get your name out to potential holiday shoppers. Pay per click advertisements can increase brand awareness by more than 60%, which is especially helpful this time of year.
