Increase Online Sales this Holiday Season
4 IDEAS TO INCREASE ONLINE SALES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Article by Melissa Ward
Philosophy of People
Magazine: Issue #18
Are you ready to gear up your online sales this holiday season?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner. National Retail Federation (NRF) sees sales in November and December jumping 4.1% to $616.9, up 1% from the 2013 increase. In 2013, $150 million was generated just between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday. Total online sales from November 1 to December 31 was a whopping $46.5 Billion. You still have time to gear up your online marketing efforts to garner a piece of that revenue.
1. Social Media
People are already talking about holiday shopping. Get your products & services in conversation for people to talk about them. Referrals from Social Media accounted for the highest percentage of purchases. Here are some Ideas you can implement right now:
- Create a Pinterest board of holiday gift ideas and include some of your products in the mix.
- Use Instagram to post up photos of your goods
- Use #gifts, #giftidea and #shopping hashtags, as they are already starting to trend high.
Change your Facebook cover photo to one of your best selling items. Be sure to link the photo to your sales page
2. Paid Advertising
Google AdWords lets you buy the targeted keywords that best suits your products. Social Media ad buys give the you the opportunity to target behaviors and demographics that match your target customer.
3. Email Marketing
Strategic email marketing can create greater awareness about your goods and services. Email marketing also generates a high level of spontaneous purchases.
- Use a special “email list only” coupon
- Bundle goods for special prices
- Create landing pages on your web site for those special packages
4. Mobile Friendly
Nearly half of last years holiday sales were made from a mobile device. Those numbers are expected to increase this year. Make sure your website and email campaigns translate well on mobile.
What if you are NOT in retail?
For those of you who are service based, offer gift certificates to your customers and “soon to be” customers. Massage therapists, coaches, consultants, etc can participate in the holiday buying frenzy. Plus, gift certificates offer a way for people to buy meaningful gifts without increasing clutter.
Philosophy of People is a compilation of self-improvement articles written by entrepreneurs seeking to bring holistic solutions to everyday problems. Read more articles from our 2nd Year Anniversary issue.
Melissa Ward is an Inbound Marketing Expert and Business Consultant. She has been working online since 1999 and has built her business though various internet marketing techniques, particularly leveraging Social Media. Melissa shares her marketing concepts on her blog, in live trainings, online programs and is a sought after international speaker. The holidays are a perfect time for you to grow your business and rock your sales. Check out her site for more details >> Melissa Ward.