The holiday season is right around the corner and holiday shopping is already in full swing! Consumers say they will spend about $1,000 this year, according to an annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics. That’s up 4.1 percent from what consumers said they would spend when surveyed at the same time last year. If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to prepare your small business for the busiest time of the year.
Here are a few tips to help your business thrive this holiday season:
Make a List, Check it Twice
Before the craziness begins, make an organized holiday season to-do list. You may want to consider adding the following items to your checklist:
- Prepping your team on how to handle the holiday crowd
- Creating holiday staff schedules to ensure you have enough hands on deck
- Ordering supplies in advance (paper products, decorations, etc.)
- Developing a marketing/promotional plan to maximize holiday sales
Deck Out Your Website
More and more people shop online for the gifts, decorations, food and beverages they need for the holiday season. With so many consumers shopping online, make sure your website is ready for the holiday rush. Check to make sure your website is easy to navigate and prepare for a higher-than-usual quantity of online users. Ask your website team to take precautionary steps to ensure your site can handle the extra traffic.
Develop a Solid Marketing Campaign
Give customers a reason to shop at your business this holiday season. Meet with your team and strategize to build a marketing campaign that shows off the items or services you have to offer. Get creative — offer holiday deals and steals or extend your hours to accommodate the holiday shopping craze.
Don’t forget to partake in Small Business Saturday on November 24 it’s a great way to kick off the season and build momentum you can keep up throughout the holidays.
Take Advantage of Online and Mobile Banking
The holidays are the busiest time of the year and schedules are hectic, but it’s important to keep track of your business’ cash flow. Fortunately, you can remotely manage your business finances with online services such as Lakeland Bank’s online and mobile banking.You can use these tools to securely check account balances, transfer funds, pay bills and more.
Enjoy the Holiday Season
The holiday season can be stressful and chaotic, but don’t forget to take a step back and enjoy the holiday bliss. Take some time to visit other local businesses in the area to support your fellow independent owners or donate to your favorite local charity. Remember, ‘tis the season of love and joy so remember to help spread it in your community!
Lakeland Bank offers a full range of business banking services to help you manage your finances year round, including online services, business loans, and cash management solutions. Our Customer Service Team can be reached at 866-224-1379.
