| If you have been in business long you know | | | | customers as well as provide good publicity |
| that the bulk of your sales will come from | | | | for your company. 9. Give a free holiday tips |
| the months leading up to and going through | | | | report out with every purchase. Provide tips |
| the holiday season. The time to start your | | | | on saving money, holiday decorating, etc. 10. |
| marketing for this season is July or even | | | | Make sure everything on your site is working |
| earlier! Online sales are expected to reach | | | | and up to date. Build a special holiday |
| 12 billion dollars this year so be sure you | | | | section for your holiday customers. 11. Have |
| get a piece of that huge pie! This is a 1.5 | | | | a gift ideas section for your shoppers who |
| to 2 times increase over 1999 as more people | | | | have trouble picking out gifts. Be sure and |
| adjust to online shopping. Here are some | | | | have gift certificates or cards available as |
| ideas that could help you get a slice of that | | | | well. 12. Mail out gift idea cards to your |
| holiday shopping pie: 1. You could offer a | | | | customers/mailing list. 13. Send out coupons |
| free holiday gift with every order over $25 | | | | with a chance at a free gift with every |
| or any set amount. 2. Offer free or | | | | coupon returned. 14. Do not forget customer |
| discounted shipping with every order. 3. Send | | | | service. Provide a little extra for your |
| Christmas cards to your mailing list offering | | | | customers so they come back for more. 15. |
| them a special discount or deal. 4. Offer a | | | | Become the company with the most Christmas |
| gift wrapping service for your customers. | | | | spirit. Donate a portion of all sales to a |
| Make their shopping as easy and hassle free | | | | popular children's charity. 16. Provide a |
| as possible. 5. If you do home parties, have | | | | quality product at a good price along with |
| a Christmas shopping party to split the | | | | good customer service and your customers are |
| shipping costs and/or wrapping costs. Have a | | | | bound to remain loyal to your company. Take |
| holiday themed party with gift certificates | | | | these ideas and add to them. Once you start |
| and free samples. 6. Start a gift referral | | | | trying new ideas you will be able to think of |
| club with other businesses. If a customer is | | | | more and more. Don't be afraid to try new and |
| looking for something you do not offer, give | | | | creative ideas. Test the results and keep |
| them a place they can get it and other | | | | track of what works and what doesn't. What |
| businesses will do the same for you. 7. Have | | | | might not work in spring might be very |
| a holiday themed contest on your site to draw | | | | effective during the holiday season. The |
| in more customers. 8. Work with charity. | | | | holiday marketing season is a chance for you |
| Offer $x off for everyone who brings in a old | | | | to expand your business and gain more |
| toy for kids' charity. For online shoppers | | | | customers, but you must give them a reason to |
| have a donation button. This will attract | | | | come to you and then to come back to you! |