And just like that, the holiday season has arrived! 'Tis the season for good tidings — and good deals.
Shoppers this year began talking, scouring and even shopping for deals earlier than ever. The reason for their eagerness? Customers are planning on spending more this year than they have in the past 15 years.
Your business is poised for one of your best holiday seasons. All that's left to do is hang the stockings with care and ensure your business sets itself up for success.
Below are five hacks your business can implement to boost sales this holiday shopping season.
1. Help consumers do their research
Last holiday season, 85 percent of shoppers did research before making a purchase. For big items, such as electronics, appliances and clothing, that number jumped to 93 percent, according to PWC. Consumers are browsing ads, hopping to different websites and even testing out items in store before committing.
When customers are searching for information, be their guide. Answer all common FAQS, and list basic information on your website. You want to provide the answers to all the questions your customers are asking.
If you don't, consumers gather their info from other sources. Or worse, they become frustrated and abandon the purchase entirely.
2. Amplify online reviews
More than 65 percent of buyers read reviews before making a purchase. 76 percent of readers said reviews affected their decision to make a purchase.
Send an email blast or personally invite customers to write online reviews this season. If your site is currently lacking online reviews, offer reviewers shopping discounts or tempting freebies. Then, feature products with favorable reviews prominently on your website.
Products with five-star ratings get 126 percent more orders than four-star products, according to Yotpo.
3. Recycle golden content
You already know the pieces of content, taglines and social media posts that drove traffic and sales last year. Try a few new tactics this holiday season, but also stick with what works.
With a few minor tweaks, those golden pieces of content will look brand new! Plus, you already know they'll deliver.
4. Customize offers
The more you can personalize a shopper's experience, the more they're going to buy. When sending brand emails, always personalize and address your shopper by name.
This holiday season, though, take it a step further.
85 percent of shoppers are more inclined to shop at stores that offer them personalized coupons. 64 percent of people said they like receiving recommendations for specific products to purchase. And 54 percent said recommendations based on what friends and family have purchased are enticing, according to a new Google study.
Send targeted, personalized emails this holiday season that give customers what they want.
5. Deck your Pinterest halls
Pinterest is the digital equivalent of walking around the mall. Shoppers are looking to buy; they just need the right thing to catch their eye. 93 percent of Pinterest users use the platform to plan and make purchases. Plus, 74 percent say Pinterest helps them discover new products and motivates them to make the purchase.
Pinterest users also spend four times more on toys and games, three times more on housewares and 2.2 times more on electronics than the average consumer, according to Civic Science. It should come as no surprise that Pinterest users began pinning Christmas content four months ago in August!
Buyers are ready to hit the ground running. Create a Pinterest holiday gift guide for different audience segments. For example, "Easy DIY Gifts for 30-somethings."
