The Mindset of a Holiday Season Shopper and How to Cater to Them

Introduction

The holiday season is a magical time of year when people come together to celebrate and spread cheer. It is also a time when many ecommerce companies see a significant increase in sales and customer engagement. However, understanding the mindset of a holiday shopper is crucial to effectively catering to their needs and desires. What is the mindset of a holiday shopper, and how to cater to them? All of them are explained in this blog.

The Eager Anticipation for Sales and Discounts

When the holiday season approaches, shoppers eagerly await sales and discounts. They know that this is the time of year when they can score great deals and buy special gifts at a cheaper price. As a business, it is essential to offer competitive prices and attractive discounts to attract these eager shoppers.

Things you can do:

• Consider running flash sales
• Offer limited-time promotions
• Bundle products for extra value

(Side note: Read our blog, 10 Bundle Deals That Will Make Your Customers Spend More, to find creative ways to bundle products.)

The Meticulous Comparison of Prices with Competitors

Holiday shoppers are savvy and often compare prices across different retailers before making a purchase. They want to ensure they are getting the best deal possible. As a business, it is crucial to monitor your competitors’ prices and adjust your pricing strategies accordingly.

Below are a few things that you can do:

• Highlight your unique selling points
• Offer price match guarantees
• Give shoppers the confidence to choose your company over others by showing value.

The Anticipation of Post-Sales Support

While price plays a significant role in the decision-making process, post-sales support is equally important to holiday shoppers. They want to know that if they have any issues or questions after making a purchase, they will receive prompt and helpful assistance. Train your customer service team to handle holiday-related inquiries efficiently. Be proactive in providing excellent customer service and offer multiple channels for customer support; you will leave a lasting positive impression on your holiday shoppers.

Things that help in offering excellent customer service are:

• FAQs
• Live Chat
• Chatbots
• Toll-free phone service
• Support through WhatsApp or Facebook

The Desire for Hassle-Free Returns and Refund Processes

Holiday shoppers also desire hassle-free returns and refund processes. With gift-giving, there is always the chance that a recipient may want to return or exchange an item. Make your return and refund policies clear, transparent, and customer-friendly. Offering free returns or exchanges and providing prepaid return labels can give shoppers peace of mind and encourage them to make a purchase.

Tools that can smoothen the Returns and Refund Process:

• Self-service portals like RoundView
• Fully automated Helpdesks

Check out our insight-loaded article, 15 Reasons Why Your E-commerce Store Needs a Holiday Audit, to understand how well your ecommerce store is aligned for the holiday season.

10 Ways to Cater the Holiday Shoppers

1. Create a Festive Atmosphere

One way to attract holiday shoppers is to create a festive atmosphere in your business. Decorate your eCommerce store with a holiday theme and offer seasonal treats. Make customers spend more time on your website.

2. Promote Early Holiday Shopping

Announce your holiday sale a bit earlier than your competitors and attract your audience. Offer incentives such as free shipping or exclusive early access to deals.

3. Offer Special Deals and Discounts

Holiday shoppers seek discounts. Offer promotions exclusively for the holiday season, such as buy-one-get-one-free, percentage off on select items, or free shipping for online orders. These deals will attract customers to choose your business.

4. Optimize Your Website for Mobile Users

Many people rapidly browse through mobile devices to examine holiday deals. Pay attention to your website’s mobile responsiveness and navigation. A mobile-friendly site improves the shopping experience and boosts purchases.

5. Enhance Your Social Media Presence

Make holiday posts and offer exclusive promotions. Ask followers to share, expanding reach and attracting new customers. Check our free social media marketing audit to assess your channel’s performance.

6. Update Your Inventory

Check inventory for enough stock for increased holiday demand. Identify popular products and ensure availability. Try gift bundles & limited edition items to attract shoppers.

7. Offer Gift Wrapping Services

During the holiday season, many shoppers appreciate the convenience of having their gifts wrapped. Offer a free gift-wrapping option on your eCommerce site. Attract customers and save them time.

8. Launch an Email Campaign

Leverage email marketing to the maximum during the holidays. Send updates about products, promotions, and deals. Personalize emails based on customers’ interests for a more engaging message.

9. Collaborate with Local Influencers

Identify influencers in your niche or community who resonate with your target audience and collaborate on brand endorsements or sponsored content. They can help drive more traffic to your business during the holiday season.

10. Monitor and Analyze Your Results

Once the holidays start, monitor and analyze results. Pay attention to sales data, website analytics, and customer feedback to improve and make data-driven decisions for next year. This analysis helps to understand what worked well and what can be optimized for future holidays.

Closing Thoughts

Understanding the mindset of a holiday shopper is essential for ecommerce businesses looking to capitalize on the year-end frenzy.

The key things to remember are creating a welcoming and festive environment, offering enticing deals, optimizing your online presence, and providing exceptional customer service.

By implementing the strategies mentioned above, you’ll be well on your way to attracting and satisfying holiday shoppers, boosting your sales, and building long-lasting customer relationships.

If you need help enhancing your holiday season PPC campaigns and social media marketing campaigns, feel free to contact us. We would be delighted to conduct a complimentary audit and offer recommendations.

Happy holidays and happy shopping!