I'm already tired of Christmas music, and that makes me sad. For the past few weeks, I've heard Bing Crosby crooning in most of my local retail shops. Can't we eat the leftover turkey before we pull out the Christmas lights? Guess not.
The music, the decorations and the crowds mean one thing: Holiday shoppers are coming. Each year, retailers set their sights (and sites) on topping their previous year's sales records, and the 2006 holiday shopping season is no exception.
The good news for small business is that online shoppers aren't only drawn to national retailers. In fact, 75 percent of holiday shoppers said they are likely to purchase gifts online this year from small businesses, according to a Yahoo Small Business survey conducted by Harris Interactive (press release link). Topping shoppers' wish lists: secure payment systems, easy customer checkout and free shipping.
If you want to find tips on increasing your ecommerce, visit this section of the NFIB.com's Business Toolbox. Better get started soon before Valentine candy boxes fill stores.
