How to Prepare Your Shopify Store for the Holiday Season 🎅

I love seeing a brand optimize its website for current events, because it sends two great messages:

• Our commitment is consistent and up-to-date: We keep our brand relevant by aligning our online presence with the peak shopping season. Research from Digital Commerce indicates that in 2023, online holiday sales grew by 4.9% year-on-year, with November and December collectively witnessing $221.1 billion in consumer spend.
  
  
• We prioritize customer care during critical times: We improve the user experience by optimizing site speed and checkout processes to meet holiday shoppers' high expectations.

And those two great messages lead to great sales. 

By preparing for the holiday season through addressing inventory, logistics, customer experience, and strategic marketing, you will be fully equipped to capitalize on the heightened demand during the Holidays.

9 ideas to prepare your Shopify store for the holidays

Here are nine strategies to prep your Shopify store for the holiday frenzy.

#1 Curate gift list ideas on your blog

What do you do when you can't think of a Christmas gift for someone? Like many people, you probably google "best Christmas gifts for..." And if the list you find lets you purchase on the spot, even better.

This is an excellent way to get new customers and capitalize on seasonal hype for years to come. The SEO value is tremendous, as these blogs generate a lot of traffic when well-written and beautifully presented.

Well, there is one issue—Shopify’s native blog feature is…  not that great. That’s why I created Bloggle.

Bloggle is the top-rated Shopify blog builder that lets you add products to articles in one click and generate more organic revenue. With our easy drag-and-drop editor, you can integrate products into your articles, simplifying the shopping experience right within your gift guides. 

Bloggle also enables you to optimize each post for search engines, helping your gift guides rank higher and attract more organic traffic. This means more potential customers discovering your store through targeted, relevant content that converts.

For example, look how “Tartan Vibes Clothing” used Bloggle to create a blog post on “The Best Christmas Decorations for a Cozy Scottish Touch”.

They featured their Christmas stockings using the product element in Bloggle:

Now free for 14 days - Try it and create stunning blogs that rank high.

#2 Create pop-ups

On my Bloggle blog, I've often talked about the importance of creating a sense of urgency in ecommerce. Beyond just using sales timers, pop-ups can be used as leverage for lead generation, offering coupons, and even segmenting visitors based on their engagement levels. 

PRO TIP

You can target users who spend the most time reading with exclusive offers, making your pop-ups an asset in boosting both immediate sales and long-term customer relationships.

During Christmas, when FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) is high and shoppers are in the mood to spend, pop-ups can be incredibly effective. 

They grab attention because they suggest a limited-time offer, getting customers to act quickly—which is exactly the reaction you want.

#3 Give your brand a festive make-over

Sprinkling a few holiday touches on your website is a good start, but a full holiday makeover is actually not that hard to pull off, and it will make your store stand out. 

This makeover can embrace each major holiday with unique themes. Tailor your site’s design for Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year. 

You don't need to redesign your entire website—just add a holiday twist to what you already have by:

• Updating your logo
• Decorating with ornaments
• Adding a santa hat

Take a look at this simple, yet effective transformation NUOO did a few years back:

Don’t forget this modern take on Christmas we created for ANJA Paris that I love for its simplicity. 

The use of a muted, solid green with a candy-cane logo is an excellent choice for those aiming for a festive and classy look.

#4 Snow on your website (literally)

Some might call it cliché, but I love seeing snowfall on a website during the holiday season. It reminds me of the early internet days and calls to mind the cozy nostalgia of a '90s Christmas movie.

To create the snowfall effect on your Shopify website, you have two options:

1. Use an app

The easiest way is to use an app like Christmas Snowfall Effects, which lets you add falling snow to your store without the need for coding.

2. Customize with code

If you’re tech-savvy, adding custom code is the way to go. This method gives you room for plenty of customization, but it’s a bit more complex to pull off.

For a detailed guide, check out this blog post by Vishal Dave. I’m in no way a coding expert, but it did a decent job of getting me through the task.

Both methods are effective, so choose the one that best fits your technical comfort level.

#5 Special discount codes, Shopify gift cards and product bundles

Good deals during Holidays are expected. Like to offer special discount codes that customers can use at checkout to save on their purchases. It’s a great way to encourage people to buy more while feeling like they're getting a good value. 

I like to communicate the codes through pop-ups or website banners, which catch the eye right when visitors land on the site. If you add a timer to them - even better.

Gift cards are a no-brainer. They’re perfect for shoppers who can't decide on the right gift. I set up Shopify gift cards that customers can buy directly from my store.

Gift cards are easy to make  and always appreciated.

Bundling products together on Shopify is another fantastic way to increase sales. I suggest creating holiday-themed bundles, e.g. if you’re in the fashion industry -  a “Winter Warmth” package with a scarf, gloves, and a hat. 

We also have a blog on the best Shopify bundle apps to help you choose the best app for your needs.

PRO TIP

Clearly communicate last order dates to get items delivered in time for Christmas. This builds trust and helps manage customer expectations.

#6 Add a wishlist app

Make it possible for your customers to create and share their wish lists. We talked more on the benefits of wish lists in our article on the best Shopify wishlist apps, and I recommend you give it a read before this Christmas.

#7 Create a dedicated landing page 

Set up a special “Christmas Store” landing page where all your holiday offerings can be found in one place. This helps manage and centralize  the holiday spirit and makes it easier for customers to shop.

#8 Engage with a Christmas game

At my previous agency, we created a “Christmas game” where customers could create a gift list, share it with friends, and enter a contest to win their list. 

It was a client favorite as it helped them create a relationship with customers and bring in sales.

#9 Customize your products and/or packaging

In Christmas 2021, Louis Vuitton created a Limited Edition Mini Pochette that I still adore. It was a festive twist on their best-selling product, a basic small bag that makes a great gift.

If you have a similar product, you can replicate this by printing or adding a Christmas-themed design. 

Upgrade any holiday gift with customizable packaging options, such as festive Christmas boxes or charming gift wrapping services, making every present feel extra special and providing convenience to your customers.

Try our Holiday blog templates

Get your store holiday-ready with our Christmas blog template, crafted by our in-house designer, Manon. 

This template goes with any theme and is all set to bring Christmas to your Shopify store with its clean, seasonal design.

Here’s what you get:

• A holiday-themed design that’s easy to use and customize.
• Built-in features to showcase your Christmas promotions and blogs effectively.

Give it a try with a 14-day free trial

Explore the possibilities with a 14-day free trial. After setting up our holiday-themed template, crafted by our in-house designer Manon, you can personalize it to reflect your brand's unique style. 

This trial period is a perfect opportunity to start sharing your festive stories and promotions.

Are you ready for Christmas?

Hopefully, the tips I’ve gathered throughout the years will help you this holiday season.

With a little preparation, a sprinkle of festive spirit, and some smart optimization, your Shopify store will attract holiday shoppers and gather sales like never before.

From blog content to seasonal pop-ups, gift bundles, and even a touch of snowfall, the possibilities are endless. 

Happy selling, and may your store shine this holiday season! 🎄