Updating Your Shopify Store for the Holidays

Are you a small business owner who sells products online? If so, then you know that the holiday season can be a busy and stressful time. But it doesn't have to be!

Here are some simple tips and tricks on how to prepare your website for the holiday season. By doing a few things ahead of time, you can smooth out the customer service process and increase sales this season. 

1. Review your website and make sure everything is up to date

To prepare your Shopify website for the holiday season, review your website and make sure everything is up to date. This includes your shipping policies, return policies, FAQs, contact forms, and general content. Make sure your shipping rates are accurate and that your deadlines for getting orders out are clear. Ensure that your return policy can account for gifts that may be given later. Update your FAQ page to answer any common questions shoppers may have about the holiday season. Test your contact forms to make sure they are working properly. 

2. Create special navigation for easy gift shopping

Set up a few gifting collections and add them to your main navigation, consider items that are easy for customer to gift. like lower price items, things that done require a size or preference. This will make it easier for your customers to find the perfect gift, and can help increase your average order value. 

BONUS - If you want to take your gift suggestions to to the next level, you may want to consider creating a holiday gift guide. This can be a blog post, a page on your website, or even a PDF that you can email to customers. Your guide should highlight some of your best-selling items, as well as some unique gift ideas that your customers may not be aware of.

Another great way to make gifting easier for your customers is to offer gift wrapping services. This can be a small charge added to the order, or even a free service for orders over a certain amount. This is a great way to show your customers that you care about making things easy for them, and it can also help bump up your average order value a few dollars.

My favorite app for adding gift wrapping options is Infinite Product Options by ShopPad. Here's an example from KristenMara.com which we designed last year. 

3. Give your website a simple refresh

Lastly, take a look at your website design. Is it looking a little dated? If so, consider giving it a facelift. You don’t need to do anything drastic, but a fresh coat of paint and some new graphics can go a long way. If you don’t have the time or budget to do a full redesign, there are still some things you can do to give your site a fresh look. Swap out your hero images and the featured collection images on your homepage. Rearrange sections to be focused on your primary goal.

A simple refresh can make a big difference in how your site looks and feels, and it can help attract new customers and encourage repeat business.

By following these simple tips, you can prepare your Shopify website for the holiday season to increase sales and smooth out the customer service process. So don't wait, get started today!

Download the FREE Holiday Website Checklist today. Download this checklist to make all the necessary updates or changes so that your website is running smoothly for the holiday season. 

LINKS MENTIONED:

Ep 119 - Three Mistakes That Make Your Holidays More Stressful

Ep 43 - The Do’s and Don’ts of Asking for Customer Reviews