Peak Season checklist

Welcome, 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 survey¹, in 2023, half of all holiday shopping commenced by October or earlier. To cash in, your 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 anticipating stock levels accurately, 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 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 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 Google²), 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 (in the US)³.

5. Remember email

Social media may dominate marketing strategies these days, but there’s still a place for email. Use the channel to tease your brand’s holiday sales and entice customers to your website. There are a plethora of email marketing platforms out there that can help you plan and schedule your campaigns.

 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 people in the lead up to Christmas. You can also segment your product listings into “gifts for her”, “gifts for him” etc. so those browsing your website 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 2022⁴. Ensure your e-commerce store is optimized for the small screen – including offering Guest Checkout and linking payment to mobile wallets. 

8. Shipping: think fast…

Speedy shipping is integral over the holiday period. Not only will it keep your customers happy, but offering next-day delivery will help you to 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 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 an expensive cost to your business at first, but as online orders with free shipping average around 30% higher in value5, 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 abandonment⁶. To overcome this, offer lots 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 consumers turned to installment plans to help manage their spending, and this year the trend is expected to continue⁷.

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, meaning a customer enquiry or sales opportunity 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 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 consumers⁸. Making them free is a big commitment for any small business, but 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

Whilst 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 significant 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 business.