🎄Amplify Holiday Sales on My SQSP Website??! But its Only August!
Here’s your short and sweet August checklist to prepare for a successful 2023 holiday sales season.
If you're like me, you roll your eyes aggressively when you see retailers set up their Winter holiday displays before spooky season has even started! AND you also know the importance of getting a headstart on big plans to stay calm through the chaos, especially during the holidays which can present multiple pressures from many angles.
As creative e-commerce entrepreneurs and artists, preparing for the 2023 holiday sales season benefits from early planning and action. From optimizing your online store to crafting engaging marketing strategies, there's much to plan. But fret not, I've got you covered with a short and sweet August checklist to ensure you're well-prepared for a successful holiday sales season. Let's dive in and discover valuable tips to prep your Squarespace website, streamline your processes, plan effective content, and set up a smooth in-person or online sales experience.
With early preparation and planning, you can look forward to a calm and spacious holiday season for both your business and yourself!
Before the holiday sales start:
Optimize your Product Titles for SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
Add more descriptive words to your product titles. For instance, one suggestion I gave a hatmaker client is to format her titles so they have more searchable keywords: "Wedding Bells - Panama Straw Hat" instead of just "Wedding Bells" which is more poetic and lovely, but less easy to find when searching for a hat.
Tip: Remember, on Squarespace, you can edit all of your products more quickly by downloading your store inventory spreadsheet and adjusting the titles there, then reuploading. (This ability is not available on personal plans).
Action item: >>> Go to Commerce > Inventory, then find the "Export All" option in the top right > Export the sheet (don't change any of the formatting, only the content as needed.) Then when finished, >>> go back to the same panel and find "Import" right next to the “Export All“ option. Upload the sheet and bulk edits are done!
Add More Ways to Get Found with Google Shopping
Get started with Google Shopping. Connecting this gives your items a new way to be found as a product listing in Google search results.
Action item: >>> In Squarespace - Go to Commerce > Google Shopping and then complete the setup instructions there.
Plan Holiday-Themed Digital Content/Promos and Design the Setup of Your Events and Markets
Online marketing tips: Start planning your content calendar now to ensure effective execution when the holiday season arrives and more importantly a more enjoyable/less chaotic experience for yourself and your team. —— But don’t post before Halloween IMHO! Very early references to holiday shopping can create fatigue among shoppers. Late November and early December is best. Design special edition products or freebies with a holiday touch or create convenient and valuable gift sets. Gift guides, holiday-inspired blog posts, and engaging social media content can build awareness and interest among your customers online.
In-person events tips: Create a plan to order your print designs for banners, signage, product labels, and promotional materials to attract customers at in-person holiday markets (or your own brick and mortar.) Set up Square POS with the necessary hardware and sync it with SQSP inventory for smooth transactions and multiple payment options. Go ahead and look up tax rates for all of the locations you may be vending at holiday markets- or at least make note of the county so that you’re prepared to look it up on the fly without having to ask “where am I exactly?” 😆
Optimize Your Website for Mobile Users
With more customers shopping on their smartphones, having a mobile-friendly website is important. A responsive and user-friendly mobile site enhances the shopping experience and boosts the likelihood of conversions. Test your website on different devices and browsers to identify and fix any issues.
Make a Plan to Stock Up on Inventory and Shipping Supplies
Prevent potential issues during peak shopping periods by looking at your past sales data and making informed inventory decisions and plans. It's better to have extra inventory than to disappoint customers with out-of-stock notices and give yourself a headache rushing to replenish your supplies.
Ensure you have sufficient shipping supplies, printed labels, and reliable shipping partners to streamline your order fulfillment process.
Action item: >>> Take a look at your stock and your selling goals to make informed decisions on how many of the various shipping materials you will need. Don’t forget to order more business cards to include in your shipments! (p.s. you can hire me to design a new card for you if needed!)
Tip: Err on the side of being prepared by buying 10%-20% more (if it fits your budget) than you think you need based on previous sales data (if you have it.) You will eventually use your materials, if not during the holidays.
Review Your SQSP Shipping and Checkout Settings
Before the holiday sales start, it's essential to ensure that your shipping, checkout, and fulfillment process in Squarespace is set to run smoothly. Take the time to review your shipping options and rates, customize your checkout process, verify your payment processors, and fine-tune your order fulfillment workflow with your shiny new packaging and marketing materials. Testing the customer experience will allow you to identify any potential issues and make necessary adjustments to provide a seamless shopping journey for your customers during the busy holiday season. A well-optimized shipping and checkout process can lead to increased customer satisfaction, higher conversions, and ultimately, a successful 2023 holiday sales season.
Start Early: Spread Out the Work for a Calmer Holiday Season and Business
As a creative e-commerce biz owner gearing up for the 2023 holiday sales season, one of the most effective strategies for success is to start early and spread out the workload. By beginning your preparations in advance, you can avoid the last-minute rush and experience a calmer, more controlled business environment during the busiest time of the year.
By following these proactive steps and preparing in advance, you can set the stage for a successful and CALM 2023 holiday sales season. Spread joy through your creations, and enjoy the season! Happy prepping! But first, its almost SPOOKY 👻 season, yay! (My tween says its already started actually.)
If any of this feels overwhelming and you need a guide to point the way or a creative hand to do it for you, please reach out or schedule an intro call to get a quote on your holiday prep needs. :)
