The holiday season is a vital time for brands and e-commerce platforms, with sales surging as consumers shop for gifts and take advantage of seasonal deals. In 2022, holiday sales worldwide reached unprecedented levels, with Shopify reporting that its merchants collectively made over $7.5 billion in sales during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend alone. This figure represents a significant increase from previous years and highlights the immense potential for businesses to capitalize on holiday sales.
The pandemic had a significant impact on ecommerce trends around the world. While retail and ecommerce revenue have stabilized again, there are still more people shopping online than before. In 2022, mobile shopping from Shopify merchants captured 69% of online sales over BFCM.
Online retail continues to expand due to the increasing use of smartphones and tablets globally. Mobile commerce is expected to reach $4.5 trillion in sales and account for almost 70% of total retail e-commerce by 2024. Brands need to be where their customers shop or risk falling behind and losing business to companies that have greater mobile visibility and offer a better user experience..
Another facet of mobile shopping, social commerce sales, are set to triple by 2025. While only 47% of US consumers report purchasing goods through social platforms, over 84% of Chinese consumers report shopping on social networks, the highest in the world.
Expect more branded shopping apps, more SMS and Facebook Messenger marketing campaigns, and more social commerce content on YouTube and Instagram.
Insider Intelligence and eMarketer report that digital buyers in India are anticipated to spend more than $21 billion on ecommerce in 2023.
To harness the potential of continuous growth in mobile commerce sales, it is crucial to optimize your mobile app’s performance and provide a seamless shopping experience for users. Users expect a smooth and seamless shopping experience, and any hiccups could lead to lost sales. Test the app’s load time, navigation, and overall performance to ensure it can handle an influx of holiday shoppers. Consider updating the app’s design with festive holiday graphics, colors, and icons to create an inviting and cheerful atmosphere. Additionally, offer exclusive mobile app deals and promotions to entice users to shop on your app.
Personalizing the user experience is essential in today’s competitive e-commerce landscape. Utilize user data to provide personalized product recommendations, targeted promotions, and relevant content that resonates with individual users. Enhance your app’s search functionality with filters, sorting options, and predictive search to help users find what they’re looking for with ease.
The importance of preparing your brand for the holiday season cannot be overstated. Start by notifying your customers of upcoming sales and promotions through various marketing channels, such as social media, email, and your website. Doing so will not only build anticipation but also ensure that your customers are well-informed about the great deals you’ll be offering.
In addition to marketing, ensuring that your shipping operations are ready for the holiday rush is crucial. Clear communication about shipping policies, delivery times, and potential delays will help manage customer expectations. Consider offering free or discounted shipping promotions as an extra incentive for shoppers.
Providing top-notch customer service is another key element of holiday season preparation. A well-trained customer service team, multiple support channels, and a comprehensive FAQ section will all contribute to a positive shopping experience for your customers.
Finally, don’t forget about after-sales support. Following up with customers post-purchase, offering hassle-free return policies, and encouraging feedback and reviews are all important steps in ensuring customer satisfaction and building loyalty for your brand.
In conclusion, the holiday season is a crucial time for brands and e-commerce platforms. By optimizing your mobile app’s performance, updating its design, offering exclusive deals, personalizing the user experience, improving search functionality, and notifying customers of upcoming sales, you can ensure that your brand and e-commerce mobile app are ready to capitalize on the holiday shopping season and provide a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience for users. So, wrap up your preparations and get ready to unwrap success this holiday season!
