Mastering international ecommerce success: How to thrive during peak season

Less than 90 days to Peak, are you ready?

With the holiday season fast approaching, it's time to gear up for the most lucrative time of the year. In a global ecommerce market set to surpass 5.55 trillion USD, capturing international shoppers is crucial for boosting revenue, especially during this busy season.

For businesses specializing in hobby, toy, and game sales, the last quarter accounts for nearly 35% of annual sales—nearly 10% above the industry average. Our goal is to help you tap into this year's final quarter, especially for your international customer base.

To effectively cater to international customers during the holiday season, consider these strategies.

Strategies for successful ecommerce during peak season 

• Maintaining stock availability: 65% of online shoppers have encountered “out-of-stock” notifications in the past 12 months, and most of those shoppers blame the retailer. To prevent customer frustration, ensure items are in stock. Highlight and promote products less likely to run out.

• Strategic timing: 23% of holiday orders are placed between early November and mid-December. Prioritize a seamless shopping experience during this surge. For international shoppers, displaying prices in their currency and calculating duties, taxes, and fees at checkout are examples of this.

• Early promotions: With 44% of shoppers planning to buy gifts early due to inflation and supply chain issues, alerting about low-stock items can boost sales.

• Fast shipping options: Offering fast shipping options post-Thanksgiving caters to those needing gifts by Christmas.

• Affordable and free shipping options: As 47% of shoppers are influenced by free shipping, consider offering it seasonally, based on spending, or through loyalty programs.

• Mobile optimization: Since smartphones drive 42% of online holiday spending, ensure your site is mobile-friendly.

• Leverage social media: With 58% of shoppers influenced by social media, strategically market your products on the platform that best fits your ideal customer base.

• User-friendly site: Make your website international-friendly by localizing it, offering varied payment methods, and being transparent about costs (duties, taxes, and fees).

• Create excitement: Offer time-bound promotions to engage shoppers during checkout.

• Checkout promotions: Promote items with higher profit margins or incentivize bigger purchases during checkout.

• Gift inspiration: Develop a holiday gift guide out of your products to spark creative ideas throughout the season.

What's next? 

Stay tuned for our upcoming blog post where we delve even deeper into the specifics of successfully executing these strategies. We'll provide valuable insights and tips tailored to specific holidays during the peak season, while also showcasing how Zonos can be your strategic partner in achieving international ecommerce success. Keep an eye out for our next installment as we continue to equip you for a prosperous holiday season!