How to get your online marketplace prepared for the holiday sale?

We have already entered the final quarter of the year and the holiday season is knocking at the door. For the online merchants, this is the most important time of the year. This can be deciding factor for your business when it comes to achieving the year’s target. While the single-vendor sites are already struggling with the management and other factors, for the online marketplaces it becomes even more difficult. If you own a multi-vendor marketplace or you are planning to start one, then, this is article can help you out. The article bring-forth that preparations that you need make before the sale season of the year.

Here some of the key preparations that you need to make before the feast begins.

Check your websiteThe very first thing that you need to do is to check the functioning of your online store. The season brings in unexpected traffic and conversion. Sometimes the stats may exceed the expectation. Being prepared for the unexpected is recommended. Make sure that the load time of the site is minimal. Check the responsiveness of the site and ensure that they are mobile-optimized. In case, you are planning to upgrade your site into a multi-sellers site, then, opt for the right solution. For the various CMS platforms, there are multi vendor extensions available. Remove unnecessary codes from your site, this will help reduce the load time. Additionally, make the navigation of the site effortless for your users. See if your site is ready to handle huge traffic or not and make changes accordingly. At the same time, work on the UI of the site as well. Make it attractive and give theme a holiday theme.

Manage your third-party sellers properlyFor a single-vendor sites, it is easier to manage their in-house inventory. However, in a multi-vendor site, you need to handle your sellers efficiently. Plugins like Magento marketplace extension , Prestashop multi vendor marketplace addon or OpenCart marketplace plugin for the respective platforms makes the management effortless. All the management and tracking can be done from the back-end of the extensions. Remember to keep a check on the quality of the products being listed. Even a single negative remark can cripple your conversions. Cross check their inventory/stock and inform them to do the same.

Sort the delivery and return policiesThe return policies should be specified clearly. Even the shipping methods are another deciding factor. See if your sellers are abiding the shipping methods of your site, otherwise, provide them an option to add their own templates. The key is to offer at par services to your customers.

MarketingThe Google’s search engine will be jam-packed during the entire season. So, you need to reconsider your SEO-tactics. At the same time, remember to tap the social media audience. Make your presence felt on the social platforms. Post holiday-themed contents, images, videos, DIYs etc. Engage your target audience base through live stories and other stuff. This is the ideal time to go for the social ads as well. Use the trending hashtags and pins.

Figure out the giveawaysThe discounts and offers are something that the online shoppers will be looking forward to it. Planning ahead is the key here. Remember to consider all the factors and come up with some attractive deal.

Knowband offers intuitive solutions to create your own marketplace. Just choose the right solution, plan well and get ready to reap result in the upcoming holiday season.

Android developer and technical content writer at Knowband. Knowband is a leading eCommerce plugin development and marketing firm. Its Mobile app builder allows the store admins to upgrade their store into mobile applications.