Impress everybody with your gifts


7 Tricks for More Holiday Web Sales

"Black Friday" has just passed, marking the
traditional start of the holiday shoppingOffer gift certificates for the shopper that
season. Web sales are already at a recordisn't sure what to buy, or who needs a
high this year and the fourth quarter of 2004last-minute gift. TIP: Make sure your
is projected to bring in $22 billion inshopping cart ships gift certificates free.5.
online sales alone - a whole third of theWrap  it  up.
sales for the entire year. (Source:
eMarketer.com)And since Friday, your in-boxOffer to wrap and ship a gift directly to
has been overflowing with all those newthe  recipient  for  a  small
orders... right?Or maybe not.If you're like
many small retailers, you've waited until thefee. You'll earn loyalty from your customers
lastif you can help them out during a busy,
stressful time.6. "Will it get there on
minute to start thinking about your onlinetime?"
holiday sales. You've been too busy, too
short-staffed, too distracted, or perhapsConcerns about delivery are at the top of
even too confused to take the necessary stepsWeb  shoppers'  lists.
to get your Web site ship-shape for the
holidays.Don't despair! you can still takeOvercome their uncertainty by posting
advantage of the holiday sales season ifyouinformation about shipping times, order
take immediate action.Here are seven thingscut-off dates for holiday delivery, and
you can do RIGHT NOW to boost your onlineexpress delivery options in a conspicuous
holiday sales this year.1. "Hello, is anybodyplace.7.  SHOUT!
home?"
NOW is the time to toot your own horn and
Update your Web site. If your home pagehelp  people  remember  that
still  boasts  "Summer
your products and services make great gifts.
Specials," this means you! Put photos ofEmail the folks on your mailing list at least
your best sellers out front, and highlightonce a week until the end of the holiday
any holiday specials.2. Use the power ofseason. Pick a different gift product to
suggestion.feature with each email, and be sure to
include a direct link to the product page.
Make it easy for shoppers to figure out whatAlso, work the phones. Don't be afraid to be
to  buy. Try  adding  alow-tech! Pick up the phone and call your 10
best customers to let them know about your
"Great Gift Ideas" list on your home pagegreat holiday deals.Although there are lots
with links to each product. Better yet,of things you can do to jumpstart your online
organize the list into categories: "Giftsholiday sales, there's one thing you
Under  $20,"  "Stocking*shouldn't* do right now.DON'T try to give
your web site or e-commerce system a major
Stuffers," "Gifts for Kids," "Gifts for Himoverhaul during the peak season. The last
Her,"  etc.3.  Bundle  it.thing you and your customers need is to deal
with echnical glitches or lost orders during
Combine popular items into a "gift set" thatthe holiday crunch. If you're panning a
shoppers can add to their carts with onemajor upgrade, wait until January when things
click. Package them together in anare a little slower and there will be minimal
attractive gift box or basket. Be sure todisruption to your customers.© Copyright
display a photo of the gift packaging.4. Sell2004 Jamila White. All rights reserved.
the  gift  that  always  fits.



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