Are You Ready for the Holiday Rush?

The temperature is 86 degrees as I write this article. However, the holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas will be here before we know it. (I heard that groan!) Now is the time to think about how you are going to approach the upcoming holiday season. The more prepared you are, the better. Here are some things to think about: 1) What updates or changes need to be made to your site? Maybe minor design changes to add some festive color or images? You will want to make sure product information and prices are correct and that anything new is on the site. Set up a meeting with your web designer to discuss options and a timeline. I updating the site yourself, create a holiday calendar so you are not posting Black Friday Specials on Black Friday. 2) Do you or can you offer gift certificates? Gift certificates are a great alternative for people who just don’t know what to buy. They are also great for last minute shoppers. A week before the holiday, send out an email blast reminding them that it is crunch time and that they can easily purchase a gift certificate online. 3) What specials will you be offering and when? How will you promote these? Be creative! Offer free shipping in October to encourage early sales. Offer free gift wrapping in November. Offer a special on gift certificates the last few days before the holiday. These specials should be highlighted on your site, your social media pages, and email blasts. Both retail and service companies need to have a plan to take advantage of the holiday season. Planning is the key to success.