7 Tricks for More Holiday Web Sales

"Black Friday" has just passed, marking the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. Web sales are already at a record high this year and the fourth quarter of 2004 is projected to bring in $22 billion in online sales alone ? a whole third of the sales for the entire year. (Source: eMarketer.com)

And since Friday, your in-box has been overflowing with all those new orders... right?

Or maybe not.

If you're like many small retailers, you've waited until the last minute to start thinking about your online holiday sales. You've been too busy, too short-staffed, too distracted, or perhaps even too confused to take the necessary steps to get your Web site ship-shape for the holidays.

Don't despair! you can still take advantage of the holiday sales season ifyou take immediate action.

Here are seven things you can do RIGHT NOW to boost your online holiday sales this year.

1. "Hello, is anybody home?"
Update your Web site. If your home page still boasts "Summer Specials," this means you! Put photos of your best sellers out front, and highlight any holiday specials.

2. Use the power of suggestion.
Make it easy for shoppers to figure out what to buy. Try adding a "Great Gift Ideas" list on your home page with links to each product. Better yet, organize the list into categories: "Gifts Under $20," "Stocking Stuffers," "Gifts for Kids," "Gifts for Him/Her," etc.

3. Bundle it.
Combine popular items into a "gift set" that shoppers can add to their carts with one click. Package them together in an attractive gift box or basket. Be sure to display a photo of the gift packaging.

4. Sell the gift that always fits.
Offer gift certificates for the shopper that isn't sure what to buy, or who needs a last-minute gift. TIP: Make sure your shopping cart ships gift certificates free.

5. Wrap it up.
Offer to wrap and ship a gift directly to the recipient for a small fee. You'll earn loyalty from your customers if you can help them out during a busy, stressful time.

6. "Will it get there on time?"
Concerns about delivery are at the top of Web shoppers' lists. Overcome their uncertainty by posting information about shipping times, order cut-off dates for holiday delivery, and express delivery options in a conspicuous place.

7. SHOUT!
NOW is the time to toot your own horn and help people remember that your products and services make great gifts. Email the folks on your mailing list at least once a week until the end of the holiday season. Pick a different gift product to feature with each email, and be sure to include a direct link to the product page. Also, work the phones. Don't be afraid to be low-tech! Pick up the phone and call your 10 best customers to let them know about your great holiday deals.

Although there are lots of things you can do to jumpstart your online holiday sales, there's one thing you *shouldn't* do right now.

DON'T try to give your web site or e-commerce system a major overhaul during the peak season. The last thing you and your customers need is to deal with echnical glitches or lost orders during the holiday crunch. If you're panning a major upgrade, wait until January when things are a little slower and there will be minimal disruption to your customers.

� Copyright 2004 Jamila White. All rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jamila White, "The E-Commerce Diva", is an Internet Strategist, Web Designer, and E-Commerce instructor in the Washington D.C. area. For a FREE subscription to her "Sell More Online" e-newsletter, go to http://www.ecommercediva.com.

[NOTE: You are welcome to "reprint" this article online as long as it remains complete and unaltered (including the "about the author" info at the end and the copyright notice), and you send a copy of your reprint to info@jamilawhite.com.]

---

Internet Marketing is Changing Right Before Your Eyes!

There's no doubt about it . . .Big changes are... Read More

Online Sales : 10 High Decibel Tricks To Magnify Your Sales

Online sales is like a fine art and you have... Read More

Now, Even A Monkey Could Easily Accept Online Payments

I just came across this web site called PayDotCom.comAfter reviewing... Read More

Google Sitemaps ? A New Free Google Tool

Google has released another valuable. The tool, "Sitemaps", allows you... Read More

How to Get $250,000 Worth of Free Advertising for Your Business

You and I know that whenever you have a business,... Read More

My 7-Step Secret Formula For Cashing In On Content!

Copyright 2005 Kurma GroupContent, content, content - everybody's talking about... Read More

The Paradigm Shift of Internet Marketing

There is a trend going on in the world of... Read More

3 Ways In Which You Can Kick Butt With Low Cost Advertising

If you are new to the Internet Marketing arena, or... Read More

You Attract Who You Are On The Internet!

Being online is not only about getting your piece of... Read More

Online Marketing: Math or Myth?

The numbers are supposed to be big in online marketing,... Read More

Blog and Ping ? A Search Engine Traffic Bonanza

Everyone is talking about blogs these days as the magic... Read More

5 Easy Ways to Establish Your Brand Online

The Internet is a practical and accessible tool to build... Read More

The Tao of Web Marketing

A few months ago I was watching a stream meandering... Read More

Viral Marketing:10 High-Impact, Viral Marketing Strategies,To Explode Your Sales

Hello, do you have any website that is not bringing... Read More

The Power of Viral Marketing

When I first heard of the term Viral Marketing I... Read More

Yahoo Search Marketing: Is an Effective Online Marketing Tool

Yahoo! manages to utilize its huge network of websites and... Read More

Viral Marketing: Is Your Website Infected?

Viral?Viruses?Infections?not pleasant subjects for most situations. Unless you're discussing Viral... Read More

GoDaddy?s Super Bowl Commercial Success

GoDaddy made a calculated decision to nationally "brand" their name... Read More

Benefit By Helping Others Plus How To Create Urgency So People Buy Now

Many people don't have the time or skills to write... Read More

How to Get 100s of People into Your Downline(s) in Just a Few Months

I've been "seriously" working the Web since late 2000. I... Read More

Profiting From Your Online Business

Creating a lucrative online business is not an easy task.... Read More

Internet Marketing and Your Old Age

Everybody wants to learn how to make money on the... Read More

How I Submitted My Internet Marketing Articles To Only 20 Sites But Shortly 16,000 Sites Posted Them

There is no internet marketing chore that I enjoy more... Read More

Developing an Ad Campaign for the Startup E-business

Online advertising has changed over the years. Some believe the... Read More

Persist Or Perish, The Choice Is Yours: Learn The Rules Of Online Business

Everybody wants quick profits. The phenomenon is more prevalent on... Read More

Creating Multiple Streams Of Income Part 1

One day I was talking to a friend who had... Read More

Is The Internet the Ideal Marketing Medium?

The internet has grown explosively in the ten or so... Read More

Why You Need To And How To Follow Up Your Visitor Or Customer

The person who comes to your web site seeking products... Read More

Internet Marketing: 5 Innovative Internet Marketing Strategies To Generate Tons Of Orders

There are two different groups of online marketers.First group: those... Read More

Website Marketing: 10 Killer Website Marketing Tactics To Boost Your Profits

Here are 10 killer website marketing tactics to boost your... Read More

Why Your Online Advertising Traffic Leaves as Soon as It Arrives

Online advertising traffic leaves when advertisers don't make it... Read More

3 Simple Steps To Get Free Original Content for Your Website

As a web business owner you will be well aware... Read More

How To Be 100% Sure That Your New Product Is A Winner

Yes folks, there is a way of making absolutely certain-sure... Read More