4 Ways To Prepare Your Business For The Holidays

With November now here, it’s pretty safe to say that a lot of Canadians will have gift shopping on their minds in the coming weeks. As a business owner, it’s important to not rest on your laurels and assume that, just because more people will be shopping, that they are bound to come to you. Adding a little of the holiday spirit into your advertising methods will be a key ingredient to your company’s success over the next two months.

Here are four ways to prepare your business for the holidays:

1. Update your website. You’re not bound to leave your physical store location without decorations, are you? Most businesses spruce things up by adding a little holiday cheer to the decor of their stores. It only makes sense. And it makes just as much sense to update your website with some holiday imagery as well as information about particular sales, discounts and products of note during the holiday season.

On Kabbage.com, Chantal Towles insists that you update your website’s content, keeping the holidays in mind. “When it comes to any content, make sure that you are using your content to inform them but at the same time tie it into the holidays,” she writes, “Reinforce your new content by sending out email campaigns. Just remember that engagement is key, so engage get them excited about the impending holiday.”

2. Hire more staff. Are you prepared to adequately welcome the likelihood of a crowd of shoppers into your store? Perhaps, you’ll need to bolster your staff with some additional helping hands. Look to add some talented members to your team by offering new holiday positions. This way, you’ll ensure that during the holiday rush, you’re not creating a long list of angry customers who can’t get the help they need.

“For many retailers, November and December offer their busiest period,” states Intuit.com, “Make sure you are prepared for a potential flurry of extra shoppers by training staff members on how to manage the rush. Emphasizing exceptional customer service can make a big difference to stressed-out holiday shoppers. If you don\’t think your current staff will be enough, consider taking on temporary help.”

3. Create a unique marketing strategy. There are some obvious go-to ways to advertise your business during the holiday season. Offering special discounts and introducing new products are two of the more traditional ones. But what can you do to set your company apart from its competition this year? Towles recommends that you strategize in anticipation of the impending holiday rush. She also encourages you to incorporate creativity in your plan.

“Do something different to attract all of those holiday shoppers or clients who love to spend this time of year,” she advises, “By doing this, you’re showing customers your appreciation while also keeping your business in their mind.” Perhaps, a holiday contest is in order. Offer each paying customer an entry into a contest where one lucky person will receive a special grand prize before Christmas. Just an idea.

4. Sell gift cards. Gift cards are among the most popular gifts sold during the holiday season. If your business is yet to take advantage of the popularity of gift cards, make this year the year that all changes. At Canadian POS Corporation, we offer gift cards as the perfect solutions for business owners looking to increase sales. To order your gift cards, call Canadian POS Corporation at 1-877-748-2884 or email us at info@localhost.