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E-Commerce: Put These 5 Rules to Work During the Holiday Season

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Raphael Guldimann
Raphael Guldimann
Founder & CEO
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Is your company ready for the holiday shopping season?

Has e-commerce been a foreign concept to you until now? Make sure you follow these key guidelines for your online store.

After all, in the current climate, it is more important than ever to focus on online sales in order to adapt to the changes as effectively as possible.

  • According to one study, online browsing in Germany has increased by 44%, and another study shows that e-commerce has become increasingly significant with the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • A notable shift in online shopping involves the “Silver Surfers,” who represent consumers over the age of 55. They can be viewed as a new and affluent target group, as millions of Silver Surfers shopped online for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is likely that they will do so again.
Hands tie a red-and-white string around Christmas gifts wrapped in wrapping paper
Source: Unsplash

1. Experience 💥

User experience, also known as UX (from the English term “user experience”).

UX is crucial to ensuring that your online store doesn’t fail, but instead makes users happy—and you, too.

Today, users are even willing to pay more if it means they can shop at an online store that is user-friendly, well-organized, and effective.

One study even claims that every 1.- invested in UX yields a return of 100.- (ROI = 9,900%).

Here you’ll find helpful UX tips, and here is the Website Check for personalized tips for your website.

2. Land right in your customers' inboxes📧

In addition to generating leads, the newsletter helps you keep your customers informed about new products, stories about your business, or attractive offers right in their own inboxes. The latter is especially recommended during the holiday season.

via GIPHY

First and foremost, you can expand your customer base with a newsletter by letting potential new customers know—both online and offline—that subscribing to the newsletter will give them access to exclusive offers, such as a 10% discount on their first online order.

We recommend incorporating email marketing into your marketing mix, as sending a newsletter is effective year-round.

The latter is especially recommended during the holiday season.

3. Offer the most popular gift:
gift certificates 💝

Red Merry Christmas card with Christmas ornaments
Source: Pexels

Gift certificates are among the most popular Christmas gifts, so they belong in your store.

In fact, a 2019 study shows that 56% of respondents wanted to give gift cards or cash as Christmas gifts.

As simple as it may seem, gift certificates are worth it—all year round!

4. Win over potential customers for good 🎯

via GIPHY

77% of shoppers confirm that they regularly interrupt their online shopping sessions. As a result, many interested users do not complete their purchases.

Retargeting increases the likelihood that these individuals will visit your website again by up to 70%. 

With retargeting, you have the opportunity to draw these very people’s attention back to you and your offer.

To do this, run ads as social media ads, Google Ads, YouTube Ads, etc., which are specifically targeted at users who have already viewed your website or your offers.

5. Secure an Omnichannel Competitive Advantage 🏬

Statistics show that people over the age of 35 prefer shopping in physical stores to shopping online [9]. Nevertheless , for products purchased in physical stores, the customer journey begins online in 42% of cases.

Historical Google My Business listing for Bodyzone Cosmetics & Spa

Our client’s Google My Business listing Bodyzone Cosmetics & Spa.

In general, 76% of shoppers research products online first before purchasing consumer goods. For you and your business, this means you should communicate relevant information to potential customers as simply and clearly as possible.

Show your location, hours of operation, and any special features, such as free delivery.

Given the safety measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can gain a competitive edge by incorporating omnichannel elements such as Click & Collect or reservations .

That’s why we’re happy to reiterate what we said last year:
If you don’t yet have a listing on Google My Business, you should fix that as soon as possible.

6. Bonus Tip: Social Shopping 🛍️

Historical Instagram profile with a "View Shop" button
Source: Business.Instagram.com

This May, Instagram Shopping introduced a new “Shop” feature that offers your customers an enhanced shopping experience .

Enhance your physical and online stores with shopping options on Google Shopping and the most popular social networks with Facebook and Instagram Shopping.

Take advantage of these options—with 2,450,000 active users in Switzerland, Instagram has established itself as an attractive marketplace.

Here ‘s a guide to setting up your Instagram Shop.

Conclusion

Thorough, early, and strategic preparation is a key factor in your success during the holiday season.

Make full use of the entire spectrum of online marketing with targeted and focused strategies that are best suited to your business and promise the greatest benefits.

Strategically Prepare for the Holiday Season

We would be happy to advise and assist you during a personalized consultation.
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Raphael Guldimann
About the author

Raphael Guldimann

Managing Director

Raphael Guldimann is Managing Director at onlineKarma.

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