5 Tips to Boost Your Business Over the Holidays

You might think it's a bit silly to start thinking about the holidays season already. However, you'd be wrong. There's no excuse for you not to be thinking about your winter holiday business strategy right now. 

A business with no holiday strategy is like a candy cane without the red stripes. We're here to help you out. Don't miss out on your best season yet! Keep reading for some expert tips on how to make this year your most successful.

Review Your Most Successful Season

Did you have a particularly busy year last year? Make a note of how you prepared and how you could have done it better. Make a list of which marketing campaigns were successful, what hours you were the busiest, which products sold the best, and what trends are no longer in style. You'll thank yourself later for not ordering last year's hit product if it's not what's going to sell this year.

There are nearly 50 major cultural events that happen around November and December. So, there are more than just a couple of reasons people will be looking to buy or sell gifts. Make sure you know all the dominant cultural and religious holidays that are commonly celebrated in your area. Who knows, you might tap into a market you didn't know existed.

Stuff Your Stockings

And by this, we mean, start stocking up early! Do your research on what products/services are going to be a hit this year. Winter is a busy season—not only for just retailers! If you're a plumber, note that this is the season for pipes to freeze and hot water tanks to crap out. If you're a counsellor, this is probably your busiest season, as well! Make sure you make a list—and check it twice!

If you've noticed an increased demand for your service during the holidays/winter season, be sure to use this in your marketing campaign, as well. Let people know ahead of time what services they might be needing this winter, so they know whom to call. For example, not everyone expects a car to stop producing hot air during the coldest months suddenly—so let them know!

Start Scheduling Your Social Media Posts and Ad Campaigns

The earlier, the better. Do you want a leg up on your competition? Don't wait until the last second to get your Ads out there! The earlier people know you're offering holiday deals, the better. Get your ads to stick into the minds of your potential customers! 

When it comes to marketing—we say stay simple, especially if this is your first big holiday season. You're going to have more competition than ever, so be sure to make great ads that will stay in the minds of your potential customers, but don't go overboard. Established brands tend to stick to the basics when it comes to holiday advertising, too. 

Make Sure Your Website Can Handle the Increased Traffic

With the upcoming holiday rush, the last thing you need is for your website to crash. If your offering holiday deals—this is a must. Traffic is almost guaranteed to increase, so this puts your website at a higher than normal risk. This is also important to remember for Boxing Day and Black Friday sales. Contact your web developer and talk about ways you can secure your website from crashing anytime soon, they’ll know what to do.

If your customers can’t use your website—they’ll probably shop elsewhere. And this is the last thing you need.

Stay on Top of the Mobile Trend

On top of preparing your website for increased traffic, make sure your website is mobile-ready. Did you know billions of holiday sales are made by mobile users? It’s no longer a suggestion—it’s a must. If you want to generate revenue from online sales make sure your website is mobile compatible.

This is something you should leave to the experts-- your web designers. Make sure you let your developers know that you plan on having a busy season and need your mobile compatibility in tip-top s

Next time you hear a holiday jingle a little too soon, don't groan. Take advantage of the early holiday cheer. If you follow these 5 tips, you're sure to be prepared for a great holiday season. We're bogging down and getting ready for the holiday season ourselves. Why not get in touch with us for some more great advice on holiday-proofing your business? We'd love to hear from you.