Prepare for the Holiday Rush - Why small businesses need a professional ecommerce site

Martha Warner Author

Increase holiday sales with a professional ecommerce website. Learn why an online presence is crucial for small businesses to maximize revenue.

Photo by Microsoft Edge on Unsplash

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It’s that time of year again. People are starting to think about holiday shopping, and you’re feeling the pressure of how to increase revenue this year yet again. Maybe you’ve watched bigger competitors capture those valuable seasonal sales. Or maybe you’ve struggled to reach customers beyond your local area, making you feel stuck.

It’s frustrating, right?

Here's something to consider – as you're juggling the demands of your brick-and-mortar store this holiday season, there's a powerful tool you might be overlooking: a professional ecommerce website. An ecommerce (e-commerce/eCommerce) site can dramatically expand your customer base and boost your sales.

Note: The language lover in me would be remiss if I didn’t note that ecommerce, e-commerce, and eCommerce are all similar if not the same idea/concept (electronic commerce). Trends, tradition, and style differentiate them, but when using ecommerce, we at MWLLC are talking about businesses that sell online.

Why does your business need an ecommerce website this holiday season?

Having an ecommerce site during the holiday season allows you to capitalize on surges in online shopping. You can reach a larger customer base, offer sales and promotions, and provide convenience for shoppers who prefer to buy gifts online rather than visiting physical stores. Ultimately, it can lead to revenue boosts during this peak shopping period.

One of the most exciting opportunities an ecommerce site offers is the ability to reach customers far beyond your current location. Why is that so important for your business?

• Expanded market reach: Your physical store might be limited to local foot traffic, but an ecommerce site opens up your business to the entire country or even the world. Suddenly, someone across the state or on the other side of the country can discover and fall in love with your unique products.

• Diversify your customer base: Different regions have different tastes and needs. By reaching a wider audience, you can tap into diverse customer preferences, potentially finding unexpected popularity for certain products in areas you never considered before.

• Reduced dependency on local economy: If your local economy experiences a downturn, having customers from other regions can help stabilize your sales and reduce risk.

• Brand expansion: As people from different areas purchase and enjoy your products, your brand recognition grows, leading to referral marketing across regions, which expands your customer base even further.

• Opportunity for niche products: You might have products that have limited local appeal but could be highly sought after in other regions. An ecommerce site allows these niche items to find their perfect customers, no matter where they are.

• Sales while you sleep: With customers in different time zones, your ecommerce site is always open for business. Someone could be placing an order at 3 AM your time, boosting your sales while you sleep.

By leveraging an ecommerce site to reach customers outside your current location, you're not just increasing your potential sales – you're opening up a whole new world of opportunities for your business to grow and thrive, especially during the lucrative holiday season.

DIY vs. Website Designer

If you’re anything like me, you like a challenge and don’t like spending money. So you might be thinking about creating your website yourself. You absolutely can build your own website just like I did! Many business owners and organization leaders use website builders like Squarespace, Wix, or GoDaddy. These platforms offer templates that you can customize for your business or organization, which can seem like an attractive option.

However, before you dive into DIY website creation, especially with the holiday season approaching, consider this:

1. Time is money: As a business owner, your time is precious. The hours you spend learning how to build a website, choosing templates, and figuring out how to customize them are hours you're not spending in your business. During the busy holiday season, can you afford to take that time away from serving customers, managing inventory, and planning promotions?

2. Technical challenges: Technology is great until it isn’t. You may think you have set up the perfect website, and maybe it is great. But what happens if something goes wrong with your site during peak holiday shopping times? Do you have the technical know-how to quickly fix issues and minimize lost sales?

3. Missed opportunities: A professional web designer doesn't just build a site – they create a strategic online presence. They can help you optimize for search engines, ensure your site is mobile-friendly, and implement features that drive conversions – all crucial elements for capturing holiday sales.

Those are just some of the reasons why hiring a professional is often a better choice, especially during the busy holiday season. By hiring a professional you can expect:

• Expertise and efficiency: A professional can create a high-quality, customized website much faster than you can on your own, ensuring you're ready for the holiday rush.

• Focus on your strengths: While the web developer handles your online presence, you can focus on what you do best – running your business and preparing for the holiday season.

• Optimized for sales: Professional designers know how to create sites that convert visitors into customers – a crucial factor for maximizing holiday revenue.

• Technical support: You have someone to turn to if any issues arise during the critical holiday shopping period.

• Long-term value: A professionally designed website is an investment that can continue to drive sales and grow your business long after the holiday season ends.

Remember, the holiday season is often make-or-break for many businesses. A professional, well-designed ecommerce website could be the difference between a good season and a great one. Why leave that to chance?

Ready to boost your holiday sales? Let Martha Warner, LLC help!

I understand that putting your business online might feel daunting, especially if you're used to operating solely in a physical space. But taking your business online isn't just a good move – it's becoming essential, particularly during the holiday season. That is unless you don’t want to increase sales.

A professional ecommerce website significantly increases your chances of boosting sales and reaching new customers. It's an investment that can pay off not just during the holidays, but throughout the year.

Why choose Martha Warner, LLC for your website needs?

We specialize in creating accessible, functional, and beautiful websites for small to medium-sized businesses. We’re not just website developers – we’re problem solvers. We get to know you and your business and work to take your vision and make it happen.

Here's what sets us apart:

• We understand the challenges you face, from lack of time and technical skills to limited resources.

• Our amazing team creates websites that not only look great but also drive results.

• We focus on what you need, not upselling features you don't.

• We provide ongoing guidance and support, ensuring you're never left in the dark.

But let's take your holiday strategy a step further.

Email marketing for holiday sales

We know that a great website is just the beginning. To really maximize your holiday sales, you need a solid email marketing strategy. That's why we're sharing our annual Holiday email special.

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For a limited time, we're offering a package of 5 done-for-you emails, tailored specifically for your audience to promote your business offers during the holiday sales period. Whether you want to capitalize on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, or that final push before Christmas, we've got you covered.

Here's how it works:

1. You complete a simple questionnaire.

2. We research your existing platforms to capture your unique voice.

3. We create your emails based on your responses.

4. You review and request any edits.

5. We update and schedule your emails directly in your email marketing tool.

It's that easy! You focus on what you do best, and we'll make sure your holiday email marketing is taken care of.

The holiday shopping season will be here before you know it. Don't let another year go by without maximizing your online potential. Whether you need a complete website overhaul or just want to boost your email marketing, Martha Warner is here to help.

Contact us today to learn more about our website design services and our Holiday email special.

Let's work together to make this your most successful holiday season yet!

Categories: : Website