The holiday season is not only a time for celebration but also a crucial period for small businesses to thrive. As you transform your store or office into a winter wonderland, consider the following tips to ensure your small business not only attracts customers but also provides them with an exceptional holiday experience. From extending convenient hours and collaborating with local businesses to optimizing your online presence and embracing personalized shopping experiences, these holiday tips aim to boost your business’s visibility, accessibility, and overall appeal.
Decorate your store or office. A festive atmosphere can help to attract customers and get them in the holiday spirit. Decorate your storefront, windows, and interior with holiday lights, ornaments, and other festive decorations.
Offer convenient hours. Make sure you are open during convenient hours making it easy for customers to do business with you. Extend your store or restaurant’s operating hours during the holiday season, especially on key shopping days. Be sure to communicate your convenient or extended hours clearly!
Partner with other local businesses. Consider partnering with other local businesses to offer joint promotions or events. This is a great way to cross-promote your businesses and reach a wider audience. Check with your local Chamber or Business Association to see if they are planning any promotions or events – it may be as easy as signing up to participate!
Optimize your web site and online presence. Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular, so it’s important to make sure that your e-commerce platform is up-to-date and easy to use. Ensure your website is up to date with holiday-themed content, promotions, and gift guides. Optimize it for mobile devices, as many customers will shop on their phones. Make sure your contact information is easily accessible (for example: restaurants, make sure your phone number or link to order appears on your menu so customers don’t have to search!)
Offer personalized shopping experiences. Customers appreciate it when businesses go the extra mile to personalize their shopping experience. For example, you could offer gift wrapping services with personalized gift tags, or you could offer to help customers choose the perfect gift for their loved ones.
Make it easy for customers to pay. Customers should have a variety of payment options to choose from, including credit cards, debit cards, mobile payments, and cash. You should also make it easy for customers to pay online and in-store.
Use social media to your advantage. Social media is a great way to connect with customers and promote your business. Use your social media platforms to share holiday promotions, product updates, and behind-the-scenes content. You can also use social media to run contests and giveaways.
Gather feedback and adjust. Not everything may work as planned! Continuously gather feedback from customers to make necessary adjustments and improvements during the holiday season.
If you are interested in more holiday tips and would like to discuss it with any of the small business consultants at The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center, our team is just a phone call or a click away! Get started by calling (570) 941-7588 or by visiting www.pasbdc.org/scranton today.
