The favourite time of the year for children (and retailers) is once again just around the corner. Santa is coming to town and Australians are already buying their gifts for family and friends.
But are Australian retailers ready for Christmas time?
With 87% of Australians between the ages of 30 and 39 buying goods online and with 80% of those between the ages of 20 and 29 doing the same, this question seems more relevant than ever.
The fact is that Christmas shopping isn’t what it used to be and many Australian retailers might not generate as much profit as they could only because they lack the proper digital strategy to deal with the holidays shopping.
Thinking of these retailers, Piper Digital Marketing, who just helped launch the 4 Ingredients website, has put together some tips in order to help them with their online sales this Christmas.
Here are the five tips:
Highlight your shipping policy
Shipping is one of the most influential factors in getting your customers to buy and free shipping has proven to be the biggest motivator for customers.
If you can afford free shipping do it, and let your customers know about it.
Eliminate delivery fear by clearly displaying your shipping cut off dates for Christmas Day.
Offer Gift Cards
Gifts cards are a great way to take the angst out of choosing the right gift and offer your customers a quick solution.
What’s more, it is likely that when the receiver comes to your shop they will buy more.
Drench your products in the Christmas spirit
Promote your products as the perfect holiday gift by showcasing them with a Christmas inspired banner or promo area. Consider this area the modern day Christmas window.
Put yourself in the customer’s shoes
To take advantage of the increase in holiday traffic, double check your shopping processes by taking a journey through your shop right through to check out – just as your customer would.
Ensure everything is running smoothly and is optimised for your customers.
Ensure your server can handle the traffic
The holiday period will bring sporadic spikes in traffic, which puts pressure on your server and the speed of your site.
Speak with your hosting company to ensure you are using the right model to handle an influx of traffic.
If you haven’t prepared your business and your website for the Christmas season, then now is the time to do it.
Don’t lose the most important time of the year for retailers worldwide only because you don’t have a digital strategy.
Create one and implement it.
And last, but not least: Merry Christmas!
Photo by Joe Buckingham
