Ho-Ho-Ho and SEO!

Sara Beaudoin is the Marketing Communications Manager for SearchPro Systems

It’s frightening to think about, but Christmas is right around the corner, and many people have already started Christmas shopping.  What this means for consumers is sales, sales, sales and spend, spend, spend.  What it means for business owners is sales, sales, sales and marketing, marketing, marketing!  This time of year, consumers not only search for sales and deeply discounted items, but they expect them.  As a business owner, you need to understand what consumers are looking for and what they’re willing to spend.  This means ensuring competitive pricing among your competition, while also enticing customers to buy from you through other promotions and offers.  It’s hectic, but done correctly, could mean a very fruitful holiday season for your business.  Online mobile sales alone reached $1.2 billion in 2009 and are expected to DOUBLE in 2010, so none of this means anything for your business if your online presence is lacking, however.  So now, more than ever, is the time to focus on SEO.

Think about it.  Consumers will be shopping for a variety of friends and family members this holiday season, many of whom have very different interests than the consumer.  If a consumer is unfamiliar with what a laser rangefinder is, that consumer will most likely search online for a local store or an online store to find the correct laser rangefinder.  If your businesses website hasn’t been optimized, the odds of that consumer finding your page and ordering that Christmas gift from you are slim to none.  Odds are, one of your businesses goals is to increase holiday sales, so it’s time to buckle down on your SEO plan.

Depending on the types of products or services you offer, it may be helpful to research the keywords that see a spike during the holiday season and modify your keywords to stay competitive.  During the holiday season, consumers need to be assured that their gifts will arrive in time for Christmas day, so if you sell products or services online, make sure to offer customers a delivery guarantee.  Your website and social media sites should be littered with large, noticeable sales banners, coupons, discount offers, etc.  Consumers will be searching quickly and with purpose, so don’t make them search for your sales or they’ll likely close your page and search for a new one.  First and foremost, however, get your website(s) on page one of a Google search and Happy Holidays!