Black Friday and Cyber Monday are quickly approaching – and this year just might set online shopping records. Are you ready? Still considering a few last-minute options to add to your holiday mix? Here are eight things you can do to get ready.
1. Make your customers feel special. Smaller, independent retailers are great at making customers feel special. What can you do? Offer gift wrapping, a gift with purchase, or bundle products different products that fit that buying patterns.
2. Add a human touch: As the online shopping festival gets bigger and more crowded each year, it’s easy to get lost in all the noise. Add a personal touch or human element to your promotions. Focus on extra care in the contact center and messaging in the packages when they go out. Make the sale memorable so that they think of you next year, or whenever they are shopping.
3. Countdown! The fear of missing out on one-time opportunities can bring more customers into the fold. Display a countdown timer on your homepage and landing pages to give your shoppers a sense of urgency and a sense of inclusion. Don’t forget to include the “deadline” in your social media posts and direct mail campaigns.
4. Spend more time on mobile: According to a study by Adobe Analytics, Cyber Monday remains the strongest shopping day: sales hit a record $9.2 billion in 2019 – that’s an increase of 16.9% over the year before. Shopping via smartphones is quick, easy, and often faster for consumers. Optimize your site for mobile consumption and pay extra attention to the user experience.
5. Don’t ignore Facebook: The confidence that consumers have in the social network really pays off. Likes, links, and recommendations have played a big role in traffic referrals and conversions.
6. Hit before your competitors do: According to data from Monetate, almost 50% of shoppers hear about deals and sales directly from their retailers. This means you need to engage with your customers before everyone else, and their inbox is flooded with offers.
7. Ramp up customer service: Big shopping days = increased traffic = more customers with doubts, requests, and general queries. Ensure your website is ready to handle the sudden surge in traffic, and train your contact center staff to handle all and any questions related to the sale. If you’re not currently offering Live Support, we can help!
8. Manage your inventory: Make sure you have an accurate item count on all of your products and organized to make the sales and shipping process easier for you. You don’t want to be caught without enough goods to fulfill demand.
Good luck, dear retailer; we hope this season is bountiful!