The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and for businesses, it’s the most wonderful time to reach out to customers and drive sales! With Christmas shopping now in full swing, having a strategic digital marketing and eCommerce plan can turn holiday cheer into increased conversion.
Holiday season sales can make or break your business’s Q4 earnings, which is why we’re sharing our top digital marketing tips to help you make the most of this critical time of the year!
Deck the (digital) halls with festive branding
Nothing says holiday spirit like festive visuals. Update your website, social media profiles, and email templates with seasonal designs.
- Social media: Add holiday-themed banners and story highlights.
- Website: Use festive colours and banners to highlight your Christmas deals.
- Logos: Temporarily tweak your logo with holiday elements (like a Santa hat or snowflakes).
Pro tip: Keep it on-brand! Let your festive designs complement your existing brand identity.
Create gift guides and wish lists
Help your customers shop smarter by curating gift guides or wish lists that suit different budgets, interests, or recipient categories.
- “Gifts Under £50” or “For the Person Who Has Everything”
- Social media polls: Let your audience vote on their favourite items to include in the guide.
- Interactive tools: Add a “Create your own wish list” feature to your website.
Pro tip: Use affiliate links or partner with influencers to promote your gift guides for extended reach.
Run a festive countdown campaign
Build excitement by creating a countdown to Christmas with daily deals or giveaways. Think of it like a digital advent calendar!
- Daily discounts: Reveal a new product discount every day leading up to Christmas.
- Social media giveaways: Encourage engagement with contests like “12 Days of Giveaways.”
- Email campaigns: Use countdown timers to create urgency for limited time offers.
Pro Tip: Add gamification elements to your campaign, like a “spin-to-win” holiday wheel on your website.
Leverage holiday-focused SEO
Make sure your content and website are optimised for holiday-related searches. Think like a customer who’s hunting for the perfect gift.
- Keywords: Use phrases like “best Christmas gifts,” “holiday deals,” or “last-minute Christmas shopping.”
- Blog Content: Write posts like “Top Stocking Stuffers for 2024” or “How to Nail Secret Santa Gifts.”
- Local SEO: Optimise your Google My Business profile to attract local holiday shoppers.
Pro Tip: Update old holiday content with current keywords and trends to keep it fresh.
Make mobile shopping easy
Online shopping on mobile devices is now bigger than ever, so ensure your website is optimised for a seamless mobile experience.
- Fast loading times: Shoppers won’t wait for slow-loading pages.
- Simple navigation: Make finding and buying products a breeze.
- Mobile-friendly payments: Offer popular options like Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.
Pro Tip: Test your site across multiple devices to catch any hiccups before the holiday rush.
Spread the joy with personalised messaging
Make your customers feel special with personalised holiday greetings and offers.
- Email marketing: Use first names in your subject lines and tailor content to your customers based on their past purchases.
- SMS campaigns: Send exclusive holiday discounts directly to your customers’ phones.
- Retargeting ads: Showcase products customers have browsed before with a “Still thinking about this gift?” message.
Pro Tip: Include a festive thank-you message to build customer loyalty that lasts beyond the holidays.
Make shipping deadlines crystal clear
Don’t let last-minute shoppers miss out because of unclear shipping timelines.
- Banner alerts: Add a shipping cutoff notice to your homepage.
- Social media updates: Post reminders about the final day customers can order for guaranteed delivery before Christmas.
- Offer free shipping: Encourage earlier purchases by offering free or discounted shipping.
Pro Tip: Partner with local delivery services for same-day or express options to cater to late shoppers.
Turn your customers into brand ambassadors
Encourage your customers to share their holiday purchases and experiences with your brand.
- Hashtag campaigns: Create a festive hashtag like “#MerryWith(YourBrand)” to encourage customer participation.
- UGC Contest: Ask your customers to share photos with your products on social media for a chance to win prizes.
- Feature Shoutouts: Highlight customer-created content on your social media pages.
Pro Tip: Provide pre-designed templates or photo frames to make sharing even easier for your audience.
Don’t forget post-holiday shoppers
The holiday shopping frenzy doesn’t end on the 25th! Prepare for post-Christmas sales with discounts on leftover inventory or New Year promotions.
- Boxing day sales: Offer deep discounts to clear stock.
- Gift card push: Remind shoppers to use any gift cards they received as presents over the holiday.
- New year, new deals: Promote products that fit with common New Year’s resolutions (like fitness gear or yearly planners).
Pro Tip: Launch “Thank You” campaigns to show your appreciation for holiday shoppers and keep them coming back.
Wrapping up (pun intended)
The holiday season is a golden opportunity to connect with customers, drive sales, and end the year on a high note. By embracing these festive digital marketing tips, your business can sleigh like a pro!
If you need help making your Christmas campaigns unforgettable, CDA specialises in crafting holiday strategies that deliver results. Contact us today!
