Getting ahead of the holiday E-commerce rush in the Philippines

Now that the “Ber” months are officially here, E-commerce in the Philippines is about to get more fun and exciting. If you’re not yet aware, the Philippines is known to have one of the longest Christmas seasons – starting as early as September. From the Christmas decor and jingles to the holiday sales, the celebration is felt by everyone everywhere, including the digital space.

As consumers continue to embrace online retail in the Philippines, the holiday E-commerce rush is likely to have started already. Don’t miss out on the chance to ride this four- to five-month long journey to maximize sales and opportunities for your business.

Here are a few strategies and tactics that will help boost your holiday E-commerce gaming in the Philippines.

Make it festive

Nothing says Christmas more than holiday decorations and themes, and the same goes for your online store. Whether you’re on social media, online marketplaces, or your own website, make your visuals more festive by adding holiday elements. Spruce up your logo, banner, and even your product photos. This will make customers feel the holiday vibe and be more drawn to shop from your store.

Phase your best deals

The main go-to of shops whenever there are holidays are promos, deals, and discounts. To strengthen your holiday E-commerce strategy in the Philippines, create a plan on how you can stretch your shop’s buzz. Mix and match products for bundles and create a list of discounts you’d want to offer. Then, divide them into phases. This prevents you from running out of offers, and helps you be in the game longer than your competitors. 

What makes E-commerce fun in the Philippines is that Filipinos are always on the lookout for the best deals. Merchants, for example, can cater to them better by offering weekly promos or month-long discounts. They can also capture all potential customers with special bundles from September to January.

Gamify your offers

Similar to how cafes and coffee shops do their holiday promotions, you can adopt this strategy to help increase customer loyalty. Returning customers always appreciate special perks because they feel valued. For example, a discount on their second purchase, a freebie on their fifth, and a prized item on their tenth.

You can also host holiday raffles where each item they bought entitles them to an entry. It’s all about finding ways to make the holiday E-commerce experience in the Philippines more fun and engaging.

Be generous with gifts

Many merchants also look at holidays as a chance to share gifts to customers. For each order, best to add something cute and small (go bigger if you want) that’s useful to them. You can always opt to give these items regardless of the holiday, but the Christmas season simply makes the act more thoughtful.

Flexibility is king

The Philippines may have the longest Christmas celebration, but there will always be late and last-minute shoppers. You can score big points from these customers by showing them your flexibility as a merchant.

Shortening delivery time, providing Cash-on-Delivery as a payment method, and offering other services like personalized note cards and gift wrapping – these are just some of the little things that make a big difference. When customers know you can meet their tight demands and go the extra mile, they’re more likely to become repeat customers.

Invest in marketing

One of the fastest ways to spread the word about your holiday deals is through marketing. While word of mouth and referrals are proven to be effective, you need to cast a larger net to reach more people.

Allot a specific budget to boost holiday posts on social media. You can also opt to participate in different free and paid marketing opportunities in online marketplaces. These will allow you to reach more people who can potentially buy from your shop.

Respond quick and meaningfully

Probably the trickiest part of the holiday season is answering inquiries. Fast communication is key, but the holiday E-commerce rush in the Philippines heightens the need for it. Since some customers can demand prompt responses, you also need to find a way to keep up with their pace.

If you’re working with a team, it’s best to divide and conquer. Have someone dedicated to answering customers while you manage orders. If you’re a one-person team, it’s time to re-evaluate your day-to-day process to make answering inquiries more efficient.

This is why it’s important to have the right partners to help you navigate E-commerce in the Philippines, especially during the holidays. Payo is an E-commerce enabler that offers a wide variety of solutions that can provide you with organization and clarity. This is especially helpful for the coming months as holiday sales and shopping sprees become more hectic.

Among Payo’s services are Live Customer Support, Warehousing, Marketplace Optimization, Fulfillment, and Cash-on-Delivery Integration. Whether you’re new to E-commerce or not, Payo is here to help optimize your online selling experience. Be it by managing products, dealing with customers, and helping you be more flexible.

Ready to surf the holiday E-commerce wave in the Philippines? Sign up with Payo today or send us a message at [email protected]. Let’s make the season merrier and more exciting!