I know many of you are wondering what to do with your online store during the holidays. Especially when your suitcase is already packed with your swimsuit, sunglasses and a good book to read in a hammock.
To everyone thinking about it and believing their dreams of a relaxing vacation are gone, I have to say:
You can run an eCommerce and still enjoy a vacation
I know some of you will wonder how that’s possible when online stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can’t pull down the shutters like a physical store. But with a little planning, you can have your eCommerce, or any other website, ready for the summer.
To get everything ready before you leave, here are a few points that may help you build a good summer plan for your online store.
I’m a big fan of the GTD (Getting Things Done) method and like to create manageable lists to pin down the tasks that need attention. So here are some points to help you build your own action list.
Get your eCommerce ready for summer
Before you grab your suitcase:
- Have a mobile version of your store
We’ve talked many times about the importance of a mobile version of an online store, but in summer it’s the key to keeping sales ticking over. Wherever you go now, everyone has a smartphone in hand and internet access, so they could be searching for a product at any moment, and what better than finding your store.
- Plan the weeks ahead
Leave yourself an agenda of things to do when you get back. Whether it’s talking to suppliers or uploading a new season’s products, write it all down so nothing slips through the cracks. Ideally, give each item a due date so you’re not swamped with tasks the minute you’re back.
- Products to optimize
Fashion stores and some other sectors launch their new season in September, and summer is a good time to optimize all those new products. Remember, an online store that doesn’t rank well loses potential customers, so make the most of the summer lull to improve those new product pages.
- Wrapping up the second sales
Note down and remove all summer promotions that will no longer be valid from September 1. If there are promo codes or any other elements we’re using to display our offers, schedule their removal.
- Seasonal promotions (back to school)
If our business is linked to schools, whether we sell school supplies, uniforms or children’s clothing, we should plan promotions for September. And if we can start them a bit earlier, even better. Personally, I do my back-to-school shopping at the end of August, and I’m sure plenty of parents take advantage of the tail end of the summer sales to get everything ready for the new school year; but if you see there’ll still be offers in September to finish the school list, you make a note of it.
- Social media post scheduling
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social networks can stay active over the summer with the help of Hootsuite or similar tools. Schedule some posts and mention any upcoming promotions. This helps your followers remember you and make a mental note of something that interests them when they’re back from vacation. And don’t forget to leave someone in charge of your social media: remember it’s one of the main channels users turn to when something goes wrong.
Right, with this you’ll have plenty ready and covered so you can finish packing. Now there are just a few points to keep in mind while you’re enjoying that piña colada by the pool.
During your vacation:
- Wherever there’s a phone, there’s your business.
Between wifi and 4G, you can take a quick look at how things are going. Set aside about 15 minutes for it. Try to limit the time so it doesn’t eat up your morning, and focus only on critical issues that need your attention. If you left everything organized before leaving, there should be few surprises.
- Get feedback
Show your online store to friends, family or people you know (if you haven’t already) and ask for constructive comments. Nothing beats feedback from people we know who will see things from a different perspective. It might spark a good idea or point to something to improve.
- Jot down ideas
With a clear mind, it’s much easier to think about things that got stuck. Summer can be a good time to revisit that list and see whether it makes sense to act on some of the ideas you’ve been mulling over.
Back from vacation:
- Review the list you left before your vacation.
Nothing beats having things clear as soon as you’re back, with a to-do list ready. We can review it and prioritize what we want to improve in our eCommerce.
- Create promotions
After summer, and after spending on countless things, people are on the hunt for discounts to help balance their budget. If you have products that can be discounted, use this to attract everyone looking for deals.
- Get ready for Q4.
Now it’s time to prepare our online store for the last quarter of the year. It may seem far off, but once vacation is over, New Year’s Eve comes around in no time. The last quarter will also help us plan next year and set goals. So with recharged batteries and a head full of ideas, it’s the perfect time to work on our online business.
From all of us, have a wonderful vacation, and remember we’re still here looking after your online stores.
