{"id":42048,"date":"2021-10-29T16:04:16","date_gmt":"2021-10-29T16:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shippingeasy.com\/?p=42048"},"modified":"2021-12-07T21:12:51","modified_gmt":"2021-12-07T21:12:51","slug":"the-smb-checklist-webinar-recap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shippingeasy.com\/blog\/the-smb-checklist-webinar-recap\/","title":{"rendered":"The SMB Checklist Webinar Recap"},"content":{"rendered":"

You don\u2019t need us to tell you that the holiday season is one of the most stressful and busiest shipping seasons of the year. However, we can help! ShippingEasy and <\/span>ChannelAdvisor<\/span><\/a> recently hosted an <\/span>SMB Holiday Checklist webinar<\/span><\/a> with advice on how to handle the upcoming holiday season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Be Present in Your Online Presence\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Last year showed the importance of making your small business really shine online. A recent ShippingEasy study showed 85% of <\/span>consumers spent more in 2020 with small, local, and independent businesses<\/span><\/a> to show their support than pre-COVID. Customers want to support your business, so let us help you support your customers, and you\u2019ll have a better chance of gifts from your shop being placed in the stockings hung by the chimney with care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Social Media Presence is Necessary<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

For customers to purchase from your store, it is important to be on social media. Take the time to engage with your current and prospective customers on social media platforms. You don\u2019t have to be everywhere, but you do need to be where your customers are.<\/span><\/p>\n

Highlight Unique Products<\/b><\/h3>\n

Your customers are not only seeking you out because your products are special but because they want to help <\/span>small businesses<\/span><\/a>. Let prospective customers see why your product is different to remind them why they\u2019re shopping with you and not a large chain. <\/span>You can even ask your customers for photos of these products to post to your page.<\/span><\/a> When you push the products that stand out, your business will stand out, leading to more customers and more exposure for your business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Start Asking for Reviews Now<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

If you start requesting customer reviews before the holiday season peaks, your customers will already know how and where to leave those reviews. Remember to ask for genuine and sincere feedback. If your customers feel heard, and you take these reviews into consideration, you\u2019ll establish a great line of trust with your customers.<\/span> Don\u2019t ask for good reviews, ask for honest reviews. <\/span>Give your customers the opportunity to provide genuine feedback and take their responses into consideration.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Personalize Your Content and Create an In-Store Atmosphere<\/b><\/h3>\n

With small businesses, you have the benefit of knowing your mission, your tone, and more than likely, your employees. Whether you\u2019re sending out mailers or launching your website, <\/span>including photos of your business and your staff<\/span><\/a> is a great way to make your customer feel like they’re shopping in-store. You may not have a physical store or multiple locations, but it doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t create the atmosphere of a storefront.<\/span><\/p>\n

Share any obstacles or hardships your business has overcome. Personalizing your content with <\/span>Customer Marketing<\/span><\/a> can really give your business an advantage over a larger business because customers feel a connection to you, making them more likely to purchase something from your store. Personal touches can really go a long way for your business, especially during the holidays.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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71% of consumers say their experience with small businesses in 2020 has made them more likely to be a repeat customer this year \ud83d\udecd\ufe0f<\/p>\n

— ShippingEasy (@ShippingEasy) November 22, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n