WordPress How To: Prepare for the Holidays
Yep, it’s almost October 1st. That means you had better be seriously thinking about the Holidays and strategically planning what needs to be done on your WordPress site — now. Not next week or next month; now.
If you are like me, you hate the fact that there is already Halloween candy being pushed in the local Walmart for weeks now. And, Christmas decorations are now available — heck that’s three months ahead! But the fact remains, when it comes to business, planning is imperative to being able to take every advantage the Holiday season can offer your business to better server your customers.
So, while I, like you, don’t like the idea of having to think about this stuff now — I am — and so shall you!
Regardless of whether you are eCom enabled or not, there are things every WordPress site owner needs to take into consideration from this day forward.
WordPress Holiday Site Planning Tips
Here is a list of things to think about, to add to your calendar and to keep front and center as the Holidays approach:
- Editorial Calendar: Stop right now and think about the stories and topics that you can write and Blog about and that your site can address that are Holiday related. By planning ahead and writing now when you have some free time here or there, you can avoid some of that hectic stress thing that takes over our lives around the Holidays. Use the WordPress Editorial Calendar Plugin to help you plan what to write when.
- Holiday Specials, Bonuses, Promos, Clubs, Discounts: Every Holiday gives you the ability to tailor a promotion that fits the Holiday theme dujour. Get creative, use themey graphics, offer special discounts. Be sure to integrate a way to gather opt-in e-mail addresses for your mailing list. Use your imagination!
- Newsletter and E-mail Blasts: Plan these mailings to announce your Holiday activities. Always offer useful and valuable information peppered with your specials and Holiday promos. Be sure these announcements are relevant and valuable. We never send out hypey-sales-pitchy mailings of no value now, do we?
- Relevant and Valuable Information? Create tips sheets or “How To” PDFs or articles that help your target market in some way during the Holidays while accentuating your expertise and ability to make their life easier. That’s what sells!
- eCommerce Sites: If you do eCom, have your drop dead shipping dates and schedules prominently displayed on every page of your site. Do what ever you can to help visitors plan their orders to ensure they are received on time for the Holiday at hand.
- “Holidize” your site! While a total theme over-haul is not necessary, a creative Holiday accent here or there can reflect your attention to detail and that you are actively involved in your site. As an example, look at how Google creates date specific unique logos for special days — simple, memorable and effective in furthering their brand.
- Holiday Hours and Schedules: Be sure to note clearly, well in advance, on your WordPress site in the most apropos and obvious location(s) what your Holiday hours and schedule are. Are they extended? Are you closing early and on what dates? Ensure your visitors are informed!
Keeping the above issues in mind — and by starting to think about them now — will help in offering smooth operations during the Holiday Seasons ahead (and a few less gray hairs for you). Smooth operations = brand loyalty.
Do you have other things you put on your Web site “To Do List” at this time of the year for the Holidays ahead? Feel like sharing?
At your service,
Your WordPress Consultant
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