Welcome, Kiwi SME Superheroes! Peak Season is nearly here, which means it’s time to start preparing. We know there’s lots to consider, but think of us as your trusty sidekick to help your business manage the rush!
We’ve rounded up our top e-commerce tips to guide you—from holiday shipping deadlines to efficient packaging, here’s what to consider.
14 e-Commerce tips for Peak Season
1. Order supplies early
According to a McKinsey survey, in 2023, half of all holiday shopping commenced by October or earlier. To cash in, your New Zealand business needs to be ready to go by the end of September. A big part of planning is ordering enough supplies for the busy season; if you’re concerned about accurately anticipating stock levels, inventory management software can help you forecast demand to ensure you never run out.
2. Know the Christmas delivery cut-off dates
Perhaps one of the most important tips in terms of brand reputation and customer retention. Speak to your courier partner about the last day for Christmas delivery; if you miss the deadline, you’ll have some extremely disappointed – and angry – customers on your hands. Make sure the shipping deadline for guaranteed Christmas delivery is clear on your website too, so that Kiwi customers place their orders in time.
3. Give your website a polish
Speaking of your e-commerce website, the lead-up to a busy period is the perfect time to check everything is in order. Does it load quickly? Is navigation fast and intuitive? Is it optimized for mobile? Check out our complete 22 Golden Rules of E-Commerce to ensure your Kiwi customers have the best experience possible. Remember, happy browsing leads to greater purchasing!
4. Create some buzz on social media!
Running a Christmas sales campaign? Great – now you just need to let everyone know! 22% of consumers prefer to discover new products via social media (versus searching on Google), so ensure your social pages are packed full of gift ideas. You could even play around with a bit of live streaming – a great way to show your products off in more detail.
And don’t be mistaken into thinking social media is just for Millennials and Gen Z; more than half of social buyers are over the age of 35. This trend is also relevant in New Zealand, making social media a powerful tool for reaching a broad audience.
5. Remember email
Social media may dominate marketing strategies these days, but there’s still a place for email. Use this channel to tease your brand’s holiday sales and entice customers to your website. There are a plethora of email marketing platforms available that can help you plan and schedule your campaigns, ensuring your Kiwi customers stay informed and excited about your holiday offers.
6. Create gift guides
Personalization is key here. Using your customers’ previous purchasing history, and a little help from AI, you can create highly personalized gift guides to email to your Kiwi customers in the lead-up to Christmas. You can also segment your product listings into categories like “gifts for her” and “gifts for him” so those browsing your website can find the most suitable items quickly.
7. Optimize your online store for mobile
A report by Adobe found that during the 2023 holiday season, more than half (51.1%) of online sales were made via mobile devices – up from 47% in 2022. Ensure your e-commerce store is optimized for the small screen, including offering Guest Checkout and linking payment to mobile wallets, to cater to the growing number of Kiwi customers shopping on their mobile devices.
8. Shipping: think fast…
Speedy shipping is integral over the holiday period. Not only will it keep your Kiwi customers happy, but offering next-day delivery will help you snag some last-minute shoppers too. Be clear about your Express shipping options on your e-commerce website’s homepage; it’s one of the first things many New Zealand consumers will look for.
9. …and free!
Free shipping is a huge sales incentive for online customers. In DHL’s Global Online Shopper Survey, “free delivery” was cited by the majority of respondents as a leading way the online shopping experience could be improved. It may seem like an expensive cost to your business at first, but as online orders with free shipping average around 30% higher in value, it’ll be a worthwhile investment.
10. Offer flexible payment options
“Payment options” (or a lack of them) was cited by 40% of online shoppers as a leading reason for cart abandonment. To overcome this, offer a variety of payment services at your checkout – including digital wallets. Consider offering a Buy Now Pay Later solution too. Last year, amidst the tumultuous economy, many budget-conscious Kiwi consumers turned to installment plans to help manage their spending, and this year the trend is expected to continue.
11. Use AI chatbots to enhance the customer experience
AI-powered chatbots use customer data to understand preferences and make personalized product recommendations. And, unlike humans, they are available 24/7, ensuring that a customer enquiry or sales opportunity from your Kiwi customers will never be missed.
12. Deliver unboxing magic
There’s a reason “unboxing” videos are a big hit on YouTube and TikTok. Online shoppers are increasingly seeing the packaging of their purchases as a big part of the experience. Christmas is the perfect time to go all out and really wow your Kiwi customers: invest in some beautiful festive packaging for your products, offer gift wrapping at checkout, and include a thank you note with orders. These personal touches will be appreciated by customers and increase the likelihood of them posting about your brand on social media. Bonus points for using sustainable packaging.
13. Consider free returns and exchanges
Product returns are a pain, but you can’t ignore them – returns policies influence the purchasing decisions of 82% of consumers. Making them free is a big commitment for any small New Zealand business, but it should be weighed up against the extra sales it could incentivize. Whatever you decide, ensure your returns policy is clear and thorough.
14. Choose a trusted logistics partner
While there are a lot of logistics considerations for small businesses over Peak Season, you can be sure of the one customers care about the most – delivery. And for that, there’s no better partner than DHL Express.
With e-commerce volumes expected to surge significantly over the next few months, the logistics leader has made substantial investments into its transportation and shipment handling capacity. “We are expecting a healthy surge in demand for express services in the fourth quarter and are making the necessary investments to make our customers successful,” CEO John Pearson says.
With DHL Express, you can be assured of fast, reliable deliveries – leaving you more time to focus on your Kiwi business.
Attention Kiwi SME Superheroes! With Peak Season nearly here, we know there are a million things for small businesses to consider. But don’t fret! Use our dedicated Peak Season Sales & Logistics Checklist to ensure your business is fully prepared to cash in on every opportunity. Happy selling!
Download your free checklist hereWorried about the holiday rush? Get support from the logistics experts with a DHL Express Business Account.
1, 7 – Forbes, January 2024
