By
December 21, 2021
With 2021 being another year of tough trading conditions for small businesses, a well deserved break is no doubt on the cards for many business owners. But for some the usual quiet holiday break may well be a time to try and generate sales to make up for lulls during lockdowns. Thankfully the beauty of online trading and digital tools now combined with quality broadband services to support them, means businesses can keep things ticking over during the hols.
Here's a few tips on how to do that.
Keep your customers in the know!
Whether you only sell online or you have a bricks-and-mortar store, (or a combination of the two) you can leverage online tools to reach customers and boost holiday sales.
Build profile via social media
If you have social media accounts for your business, now is a great time to push out feature-rich posts. This can include promotions that remind your customers of who you are, your products and services and how much you appreciate their loyal business.
Running a competition that encourages your followers to share your content is an ideal way to spread the word about your store. If you haven’t posted in a while, don’t fret! Even a simple seasonal graphic or photo with a message is a simple way to reconnect.
Update your opening hours
If you run a physical store, then you’ll probably have holiday opening hours that differ from the norm. If you’re wanting customers to come flooding through your door, ensure they know when you’re open and ready to serve them!
Go ahead and update your opening hours on your Google business page, social media and any other relevant online directories. Stats show that the majority of your customers will be checking online for this information before getting in the car to drive. In fact, online searches for ‘store open near me’ grew by over 250% between 2017-2019! Now, those are some convincing numbers!
Plan for the New Year
The Christmas rush is often followed by a quieter time and reduced revenue. Think about systems and promotions that you can put in place to keep your business ticking along and connecting with your customers. Is there something that has worked for competitors that you could emulate? Researching comparable businesses in similar cities can be a great source of inspiration.
Set up online bookings
If your business runs off of appointments such as hair salons, home consultancy, fitness training—then consider setting up an online booking system. That way, even if you close for a break, your customers will still be able to schedule an appointment for a time that suits them. They will also be grateful for the convenience and more likely to return.
Booking software can be free and integrated into your existing website. Popular examples include trybooking, and SimplyBook.Me.
Prepare for the post-Christmas sales
If the words ‘Boxing Day Sale’ conjure up images of heaving stores and stampeding crowds, then you’ll know just how important the holiday sales can be for your customers—and your business!
Remember though that holiday sales are not just about boosting revenue, they also promote your business at a time where it can fall away from consumer awareness. Plan a sales schedule and campaign strategy in advance so it’s easy to put into place. Don’t forget to use your social media and email lists to spread the word.
And finally, take some time to rest and reflect.
There is no doubt that 2021 has been a hard slog for many businesses. If at all possible, use these holidays to give yourself the gift of a well-earned rest. Take the time to fill your cup and reconnect with family and friends.
Get yourself ready to take on next year with a new set of goals and a fresh perspective.
We wish you all a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!