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...careful planning and some clever digital marketing tactics can give any small business an opportunity to really make a strong profit during this time.
New York, New York (PRWEB) December 10, 2013
The holiday season is an important time for small businesses, with nearly 20% of revenue generated during the holiday season, according to the National Retail Federation. Given these statistics, increased spending coupled with the current increase in consumer confidence in the U.S. has small business owners poised for profit, but they also face aggressive competition. Consumers are often bombarded with marketing messages before the holidays are even underway.
Market My Market, a full service digital marketing company in New York City, works with multiple small to medium-sized businesses to strategize ways they can stand out from their competition during different parts of the year - especially during the holiday season. Many small business owners acknowledge that marketing and having an online presence is important, but don’t typically know where to start.
Ryan Klein, Head of Search Optimization for Market My Market, said, “The central focus on competing online is going to be your website. There are many key factors that are right there on your site that’ll be the determining factor in someone shopping with you, or calling, emailing. That’s the hub of your online presence. Social media is excellent too, but at the end of the day, you want to refer people to your website because that’s going to be your own personal and unique representation of your company.”
Market My Market suggests considering the following five ideas during the holiday season to increase your bottom line:
- Test the Functionality of Your Mobile Site
A report from Pew Internet confirmed that in June 2013, smartphones were owned by over 50% of Americans. “Smartphones are most definitely taking over the more typical functions of computers”, said Klein. “E-mailing, chatting, and surfing the web are all very commonplace. We see the traffic of many websites approaching 50% from mobile devices.” With nearly half of traffic coming to websites from mobile devices, it is important for small business owners to understand and evaluate how their websites are being displayed on these devices in regards to ease of use and functionality.
- Create a Holiday-Centric Content Campaign
Messaging on a website can be more relevant when it pertains to the season it is about. Blogging about the holiday season can help visitors connect on a more personal level, especially if it involves your products and services. Even having a dedicated holiday season page with promotions, specials, and coupons can be a driving force for increased business.
- Use Time-Sensitive Paid Advertising
Without going into Google and Yahoo/Bing pay-per-click campaigns, small business owners can put together a small budget with big results by promoting themselves through Facebook and Twitter ads. Chase Williams, Director of Marketing, said “By writing advertising content guaranteeing delivery or services rendered by a certain date, companies can capitalize on consumers looking for holiday gifts to arrive by a certain time.”
- Utilize “Check-In” Technology for Holiday Specials
Phone apps like Yelp and Foursquare are commonly used for social interactions and business reviews, but social savvy business owners can utilize these same outlets by creating “check-in” specials for their companies. “You can create a 10%-off check-in special at your brick-and-mortar store,” Williams said. “The shopping incentive creates an element of virality as consumers make their purchasing decisions social.”
- Make Your Website More Festive
Make your home page background align with the season through the use of seasonal design elements and color choices. Holiday imagery can be incorporated either within the body of the website or in your website’s slider.
Like many websites during this time, you can make your home page background align with the season, such as using white and blue hues and have snowflakes. Other imagery can be used, either within the body of the website or in your slider if you have one.
Klein concluded on the topic: “Even though small business competition can be as fierce as two people fighting for the last television at a big box store on Black Friday, I believe that careful planning and some clever digital marketing tactics can give any small business an opportunity to really make a strong profit during this time. Sometimes it takes some research; sometimes it takes a solid partnership. Keeping these factors in mind, a business will be looking forward to a profitable holiday season.”
About Market My Market
Market My Market is a team of dedicated digital marketers and web developers in New York City. Formed in 2012, the experts that comprise the company have been in the industry for years. Market My Market empowers small to medium-sized businesses with practical yet uncommon marketing techniques while working with clients on developing their traditional core business functions. If you're looking for assistance with finding out if a digital marketing company is right for you, or how to hire an internet marketing company, please download our attached PDF.
