As the holiday season approaches, it’s prime time for eCommerce businesses to maximize sales and attract new customers. But with competition at an all-time high, how can you make your eCommerce promotions stand out?
Holiday online spending continues to grow each year. In the US, holiday eCommerce sales increased by 8.8% in 2023. While estimates for 2024 suggest a growth rate of about 9.5% as even more consumers turn to online shopping during the holiday season. From enticing early-bird deals to personalization and customization in eCommerce, the right promotions can set you apart and make all the difference for holiday sales success.
Here are four actionable tips to help take your holiday promotion strategy to the next level.
Hack 1: Boost Profitability with Exclusive Holiday Bundles and Cross-Selling eCommerce Promotions
Holiday bundles enhance the shopping experience and improve your ROI by encouraging customers to buy complementary products together. This way, you simplify the gift-buying experience and motivate shoppers to spend more per order.
Leverage your sales data to find out which products are frequently bought together, and use that insight to create bundles and Buy X, Get Y deals that customers will love. Promote them as exclusive holiday offers, so shoppers feel they’re getting a unique, exclusive deal. Plus, bundles make great last-minute gifts.
Tip: Consider adding a “bundle builder” to your website, so customers can create custom bundles, boosting both order value and engagement with a personalized shopping experience.
Hack 2: Create VIP Experiences with Early Access
Who doesn’t love VIP treatment? Give your most loyal customers a head start on your holiday deals through private sales, early access to limited stock, or special discounts. This exclusive preview makes your VIPs feel valued and builds a sense of excitement around your holiday promotions.
In addition to boosting brand loyalty, early access for your top buyers also creates urgency. For those return customers, it’s a win-win situation: they get the best deals first, and you get a jump-start on holiday sales.
Hack 3: Personalize Your Offers with Data-Driven eCommerce Promotions
Personalization in eCommerce is a powerful tool to drive sales and build customer loyalty. By using past purchase data and browsing behavior, you can deliver personalized product recommendations that feel like they’re tailored to each shopper’s tastes.
Data-driven upsells also provide subtle nudges to increase order value. When customers add an item to their cart, suggest related items or a premium upgrade that complements their purchase.
Because these relevant suggestions feel helpful, not pushy, they are more likely to increase the average order value. During a buzzing holiday shopping season, a touch of personalization can make all the difference in keeping shoppers engaged and coming back for more.
Curious about how AI can enhance your holiday promotions? Explore how to master AI in retail.
Hack 4: Drive Urgency Through Countdown Deals
Nothing tickles our brains quite like countdown timers when you’re trying to strike a great deal. By launching a new deal or discount each day, you create a sense of urgency that encourages customers to act quickly.
This drives engagement and taps into the powerful “Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO) effect. When customers see that today’s deal will soon disappear, they’re more likely to hit “buy”. Whether you’re offering discounts, free gifts, or exclusive products, countdown deals make holiday shopping more fun – and profitable.
Tip: Boost countdown deal engagement with email or reminder via text messages. Nudge newsletter subscribers about each new offer, and send a “last call” reminder before each deal ends to keep your brand top-of-mind all season.
Hack 5: Make Shopping Easy with Free Shipping and Extended Returns
Free shipping easily makes your store more attractive. Many customers see free shipping as a key factor when deciding where to shop. Offer it as a limited-time holiday perk or on orders over a specific amount to incentivize higher cart values.
Extended return policies also give customers peace of mind when shopping for gifts. By offering an extended return window past the holidays, you give customers confidence that gift recipients can exchange items if needed. Free shipping and extended returns create a frictionless shopping experience and much-needed piece of mind that encourages customers to buy more with less hesitation.
Prepare for a successful holiday season and discover strategies that boost eCommerce profitability, improve ROI, and SCAYLE your business to new heights.