3. Review and upgrade technology.
You need to make sure your technology is ready and able to handle the onslaught of online holiday shoppers, particularly this year. You don’t want to lose potential customers because your website is down or you can’t process credit card orders. This means taking the time earlier in the year to upgrade security software, test checkout and payment processes, check the usability of search functions, and make sure your website is user-friendly and able to handle an increase in traffic.

Make sure your website is equipped to handle large volumes of shoppers, especially if your website is unaccustomed to high-volume traffic. Run tests before big shopping days, and have plans for what to do if you experience downtime or crashes.

4. Embrace omnichannel customer experiences.
One of the most prominent trends affecting holiday sales is omnichannel retailing, which is defined as an integrated sales approach that creates a seamless shopping experience for consumers regardless of whether they are shopping from a desktop, mobile device or store. For example, these customers may buy online but pick up the item in the store, or they may use a smartphone app to compare prices and then make a purchase through a company’s website.

Omnichannel shoppers are more likely to return to make additional purchases and to recommend brands to family and friends, so you’ll want to not only increase contact with these customers but also boost the value of that contact.

One way businesses can be responsive to omnichannel shoppers is by honoring online coupons and in-store deals interchangeably.
“Make sure that all of [your holiday deals] are scannable for your in-store sales,” said Mike Catania, CTO and founder of PromotionCode.org.

5. Stock up on holiday inventory.

There is nothing worse than running out of the must-have gift and having to turn away a new customer. To avoid this scenario, make sure that your online store is fully stocked and that you have plenty of your bestsellers readily available.
“Stock up on your most popular items, the latest trends in your industry and specially branded or crafted gifts that make your merchandise stand out,” Garcia-Villari said. “Talk to vendors and see if you can get discounts for buying in larger quantities or extended payment terms

6. Cultivate online sales.
Focusing on online sales as part of your marketing plan is imperative for all small businesses that are looking to maintain regular sales numbers and see holiday success this year.

Although the shift to mostly online shopping has been steady over the past several months, don’t fret if you don’t have time to get your entire inventory online before the holiday rush.

“Make a small selection of what you feel will be hot this holiday season, and offer those items up for online purchase and shipping to the customer’s front door,” said Christopher Mohs, vice president of strategy and operations at Cora+Krist.

7. Increase your SEO efforts.

Because online shopping will be so prevalent this year, it’s vital for your business to do all it can to get your brand to the top of online search results. According to the BrightEdge report, “An impressive 60% of consumers have been shopping online more often since COVID-19, and of that group, 73% plan to continue after the pandemic. What digital marketers and SEOs [search engine optimization specialists] have long known is finally coming to fruition: Online shopping is convenient and easy. Now the trick is to make SEO important within your organization.”

8. Market to loyal customers.

Acquiring new customers always requires more time and money than getting loyal customers to come back, and this is especially true during the holiday season.

You can encourage existing customers to make holiday purchases by engaging them with exclusive online offers, in-store events and personalized discounts and promotions.

“Based on their past buying history, you already know exactly what will appeal to them most and can create personalized campaigns that will convert them” into repeat customers,  said Jurgen Nebelung, vice president of e-commerce and digital at Tea Forte. “Loyal customers spend, on average, 67% more than new customers.”

9. Use social media to promote your brand.

Use social media to ensure your customers find you and stay informed about your products and services when they are ready to buy, Mathradas said.

“Look at every way to build your digital brand – from posting on Instagram to taking out cost-effective ads on social media networks, like Facebook – that can boost online visibility and keep your business front of mind for target audiences,” Garcia-Villari added.

If you have an email list, you should send weekly updates that highlight new merchandise and other specials, she suggested. Other opportunities for interacting with prospective customers include responding to comments and reviews of your business, developing targeted promotional campaigns, and creating Pinterest boards focused on gift-giving ideas or themes. [Read related article: How to Build an Email Marketing Contact List]

10 Deliberate Sacrifices You Must Make if You Want to be Successful

Despite the negative connotations, we all make sacrifices. For example, reflect on the years you spent in college. You might have gone out with your friends on Friday night — but never during finals week. Here are ten deliberate sacrifices you must make if you want to be successful.

1. Sleep

I am in no way advocating that you surpass sleep. Your mind and body need a good night’s rest to recover and recharge. In facdcta lack of sleep will destroy your productivity.
I am saying that sometimes you aren’t going to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep. If you’re a parent, then you’re well aware of this fact. But, you also know that it’s temporary, and you will eventually get back to a somewhat normal sleep routine.
The same is true when it comes to your work life. You will have tasks or projects that require you to put in 12 hour days. You will definitely stay awake at night thinking about your next move like your a Bobby Fisher level chess player.
So, while sleep should be a priority, you also have to be real. There will be some long nights when you’re only going to get a couple of hours.

2. Relationships

Bear with me here as this might seem like a broad topic. If you’re married or have children, then I’m a firm believer in a family comes first. Simultaneously, you might have to scrap a two-week vacation and replace it will a long weekend instead.
But, I’m really talking about those relationships outside of your inner circle. It would be great to catch-up with a friend from college. But, if you already have a packed calendar, that might have to go on the back burner until you have the availability.
Networking is obviously a proven way to grow your business. However, if that’s preventing you from reaching your goals, you might have to scale back. For instance, instead of weekly get-togethers, make it a monthly occurrence or focus on online networking.
And, above everything else, remove toxic individuals from your life. You know who I’m talking about. These are the folks who drag your down or aren’t respectful of your time.

1. Determine whether going back

to school is necessary.
Going back to school requires a considerable investment of time and money, so you should only undertake this massive challenge if you’re moving toward a clear goal – not just away from an unsatisfying job.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself when figuring out if more school is necessary.

2. Investigate alternative routes to the job you want.

Higher education is a business. Unfortunately, people often believe the only way to get ahead is to take on more debt and earn more degrees, but it is possible to change careers without going back to school.
You may not be able to get the job you want without earning additional degrees. For example, law school is a must if you want to be a lawyer.

However, just because you have an undergraduate degree in psychology doesn’t mean you also need a computer science degree to work in technology.

Most people don’t end up working in the field listed on their undergraduate degree, and the average worker changes careers multiple times throughout their working life. So the idea that you must get a formal degree in a new field to change careers is a modern one, and it only benefits the business of higher education.
Many in-demand skills are highly transferable and can be rounded out with online resources and previous job experience.

Wishing you a year of personal and professional growth. May you discover new opportunities and excel in all your pursuits. May your heart be filled with kindness, compassion, and gratitude. May you make a positive impact on the lives of those around you.💃🎉😊🎊🎈🎆

3. Research the alternative career before quitting your job.

Think about whether you’ll have time to work during your degree program (to help offset costs right away) as well as the earning potential of your new career (to offset student loan bills after graduation).

Here are some factors to consider:
• Know your new career’s earning potential. Make sure your long-term goals are realistic and informed by research. For example, not all STEM jobs pay a huge amount of money.

• Be aware of the job market in your area. The region you live in has a massive impact on the job market, and it’s not always straightforward. For example, living in a major tech hub doesn’t mean you’ll be all set with a tech-related degree. In fact, sometimes the opposite is true. Often, cities with a wealth of tech jobs (Houston, for example) also have a surplus of highly educated professionals with tech degrees, so the job market is far more competitive.

4. Plan your finances for going back to school as an adult.

If you decide that your career path requires additional college education, determine how much you’ll spend.

When you choose a college, its financial aid office is a good place to gather information about tuition assistance and financial aid.

But remember that financial aid offices serve a broad student population; they’re focused on disseminating basic information, not offering individualized counseling.

5. Research colleges and programs.


Once you decide to go back to college and know how much you’re willing to spend on your education, research different programs carefully. Online degree programs are popular with nontraditional students because they offer remote learning options and flexible course schedules, but ensure the program you choose is accredited, whether it’s an online or brick-and-mortar school.

The best way to find out if a college is accredited is to visit the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. If the college you consider is not in the government database of accredited institutions, do not apply, regardless of the promises you hear from college staff.

At some unaccredited institutions, workers are treated like sales associates and get commissions for recruits, so research thoroughly before providing any money to a school . You should also look up the following statistics for any college you consider attending.

6. Follow this 10-step checklist for nontraditional students.

Here’s a helpful checklist for people embracing more education as they navigate a career change. If you need additional support, College for Adults provides resources for those navigating going back to school.
1 Define your motivations for going back to school and know your long-term goals.
2 Consider alternatives to paying for a degree, and determine whether or not college is right for you.
3 You will need a high school diploma or equivalent to start a college program. If you need a GED or certification, research your state’s requirements online before starting your new career journey.
4 Explore career options at CareerOneStop, or speak with a counselor at a local college to determine your next steps.
5 Choose schools based on recommendations from employers, colleagues and friends who are familiar with your chosen field of study. If you don’t have a go-to person, use College Navigator to locate your best choices.

6 After narrowing down your college picks with an accredited degree in your field of study, schedule a campus tour if you plan on in-person learning, or ask the admissions office about the equipment you’ll need for online courses.

7 Ask the school if it accommodates nontraditional students with night and weekend classes or part-time options.

8 Search for scholarships and grants. 

9 Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA will help you budget for education costs and is required for federal loans, scholarships and grants. Use the deadline guide for FAFSA applications to ensure your financial aid is available when you need it.

10 Look into additional financial resources, including education tax credits, employer tuition reimbursement, low-interest home equity loans, retraining programs in your geographic location, or even community resources that can help you with day care for your children, textbooks, transportation,

How to Never, Never, Never Give Up: On Being a Successful Entrepreneur

Ask any successful entrepreneur how they have built a booming business, and they will invariably say the trick is to persevere and never give up.

It can be a long, hard climb to success when you choose this career path, but the rewards can hugely outshine the drawbacks. In fact, making a go of your entrepreneurial venture could sometimes feel like scaling the north face of the Eiger, but you know you must keep going, despite the pitfalls, because it will be worth it when you reach the top.