Best Marketing Strategies Improve Holiday Sales

Online Marketing Tasks to Improve Profits

Nov 2, 2009
Jeanne Grunert

Boost Sales Using these Marketing Strategies - Alvinmann, Morguefile

Just five simple online marketing tasks can boost profits this holiday season. Use this ecommerce marketing strategy to maximize holiday website traffic.

Many online retailers rely upon holiday sales to boost profits, and these simple online marketing strategies can help retailers increase website traffic and sales. While these five online marketing tasks may seem deceptively simple, it's amazing how many people skip them in the rush to get ready for holiday sales. Take a moment now and make sure each of the steps are in place to maximize profits from online marketing strategies this holiday season.

Check Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Is the website coming up in major search engines? Check search engine optimization (SEO). Look up keywords, and review website optimization strategies. One way to find clues as to how customers are finding the website is to review website traffic logs and review key terms and phrases customers are using to find the business. This helps identify how customers view products and words they use- rather than the company chooses- to seek products. Building search engine optimization strategies around customer inputs usually helps companies improve online marketing by leaps and bounds.

Add Affiliate Programs and Networks

It may make sense to add affiliate programs and affiliate networks to existing websites to maximize every bit of profit potential from site visitors. Amazon books, toys, home and garden items and much more are all available as affiliate programs. If it makes sense, look into affiliate programs and add them to an existing website.

Improve Cross-Selling and Up Selling Opportunities

Cross selling and up selling are two important marketing strategies often overlooked by online marketing teams and internet retailers. Cross selling refers to the technique of showcasing related products when customers view products on an ecommerce site. One example of this is Bedford Fair, a woman's clothing company. After viewing a product, another related product appears in the sidebar. Search for skirts, and blouses appear that may match the skirt.

Up selling refers to the technique of recommending a more upscale product. An appliance seller may show pictures of $75 blenders after customers view $25 blenders, along with the more expensive blender's special features and enhancements. In both cases, the idea is to increase the average dollar order so that the retailer's cost per acquisition number goes down. Check to see if the website under scrutiny provides either cross selling or up selling opportunities, and if not, investigate consultants, companies and software that may transform more basic online retail applications into sophisticated ecommerce platforms.

Decorate Websites for the Holidays

Be sure the website is decorated for the holidays too with special graphics, enhancements, color changes or welcome text reflecting the seasons. Mark the calendar now with a date when such copy and graphics will be replaced, too, or run the risk of having the online equivalent of the family who leaves their Christmas lights up and on until Easter!

Think About Offering Free Shipping, Gift Wrapping, and Perks

Free shipping offers frequently encourage customers to try a new website or take a chance and order a product. They may provide substantial savings, too, as shipping prices have gone up over time. Gift wrapping doesn't add much to the cost per order, yet it is one more service customers may appreciate. It's also a good idea to specify now any last minute shopping deadlines, overnight shipping for those last minute shoppers, free gift with purchases, or shopping clubs and other perks.

More Tips for Better Online Marketing Strategies this Holiday Season

During the holidays, many new customers may find websites when seeking gifts. This gives online marketers the chance to increase their mailing and email contact files, so be sure that the site offers a large and attractive sign up and opt-in space. Review and revise privacy policies, and be sure to have in place any disclosures related to product reviews or testimonials, because as of December 1, 2009, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is changing the rules for how much marketers are responsible for disclosing about product testimonials and paid endorsements.

Don't let the opportunity to acquire more customers slip by this holiday season. Put into place these best practices for holiday marketing, and the jingling of cash register bells might join Santa's sleigh bells!