Dare we say it… Christmas is almost upon us. Of course many B2C business owners have already been planning for Christmas for months, as it’s the busiest period for many industries. Companies all over the world are gearing up for peak spending season as the festive holidays approach. Ecommerce businesses in particular should be ordering extra stock and boosting marketing efforts, as billions are expected to be spent online in the UK.
If you want to make sure you capitalise on the extra custom around Christmastime, then you need to make your business holiday-ready. Take a look at these preparations and start introducing them now before it’s too late.
1. Offer a gift wrap service
If you sell products online, in a shop or at craft markets, then consider introducing a holiday gift wrap option. You’ll be surprised how many people hate the thought of wrapping multiple presents and how much they will pay at the time of purchase so they don’t have to wrap it themselves. Wrapping usually takes little time and expense so this is definitely worth considering.
2. Arrange IT support
It’s always best to prepare for the worst, and in this case an IT concern can seriously affect sales and profit. The extra custom won’t mean anything if it leads to hundreds of negative reviews for your business. If you sell products then you’ll probably expect extra web traffic in the lead up to Christmas, so make sure you have an IT support company on hand to quickly resolve any issues.
3. Write a festive blog and newsletter
Once you’ve decided on your seasonal offers, make sure everyone knows about them! Write a Christmassy blog post about any festive topic with links to your recommended gifts – and don’t forget to post it on social media. You can also put together a Christmas themed blog post with extra discounts for your subscribers.
4. Organise deliveries
If you do take orders online then it’s essential you have an effective system in place for deliveries. Do as much research as possible into the last Christmas delivery dates and let customers know to order early. Consider partnering up with couriers or logistics companies if needed and also prepare for some overseas shipping.
5. Hire temporary staff
If you think your company will receive much more custom then it may be necessary to hire a helping hand. Hiring seasonal staff ensures you will be more than prepared to deal with the extra demand. Offer customers an efficient service and they may come back for more next Christmas!
6. Spread holiday cheer
Keep spirits lifted at the business premises by decorating it with festive cheer. Every shop, restaurant, office and factory needs at least a tree and some twinkly lights to keep both customers and employees in the festive mood. A creative Christmas window can make a huge difference to footfall!
Consumer spending goes through the roof at this time of year, so make sure you’re well equipped to deal with the extra business you may receive.
