5 Important eCommerce Dates for Your Busy 2017 Calendar

While a lot of people live under the impression that the world of retail is somehow chaotic in nature, you would be surprised just how predictable it can be. You see, there is a pattern when it comes to consumer behavior every skilled retailer is familiar with, and eCommerce is not an exception to this general rule. Sometimes, our purchase habits are affected by our free time (weekday vs. weekend), and other times it is about the incoming holidays. With this in mind, here are five important eCommerce dates you need to look out for in 2017.

Valentine’s Day

Coming in on the February 14^th, this particular date is getting closer as we speak. Namely, this is where the avalanche of people buying romantic presents for their partners starts, which is why you need to be ready for the occasion. On the other hand, this doesn’t mean just being ready for the 14^th, but also a few days (and even a month) in advance. Going out of stock in this period can create a significant problem for both your earnings and your business’ reputation.

Mother’s and Father’s Day

While Mother’s and Father’s Day are important holidays, they are sometimes overlooked, not by retailers, but customers. This results in unrealistic delivery expectations, and if these are not met, retailors will feel their customers’ frustration. On the other hand, those who have a reliable next-day delivery service can find these kinds of situations to be quite lucrative. Because of this, all your delivery means, including sea freight, need to be on spot for these occasions.

Black Friday

Any eCommerce calendar would be incomplete without Black Friday, and this is when you have the chance to make some serious money. Still, Black Friday is not without its dangers. In an actual store, there is always a risk of a mob wreaking havoc on your premises, but on the eCommerce website, a hazard is of a different sort. Having too many people on your website at the same time can create lags or it can even crash completely, so make sure you optimize your website beforehand.

Cyber Monday

Next, there is the Cyber Monday, Black Friday’s younger brother. Following Thanksgiving, the 28^th of November is a day where online retailers offer best prices, which should be of particular significance for you as an eCommerce retailor. All your competitors will be offering insane prices during this period and you need to keep the pace. Sure, sometimes you may lose a bit of money, but if you gain loyal customers to generate you a return business, it’s all worth it.

Free Shipping Day

Finally, the 18^th of December is internationally recognized as the free shipping day, or as some people colloquially call it the ‘last minute Christmas present purchase day’. In a manner of speaking, this is where eCommerce businesses join the Christmas spirit and help their customers bring joy to their friends and family members. Although this may seem financially quite unfavorable, it doesn’t last for more than a week. Moreover, seeing how it can help generate a no small degree of customer loyalty, it is still a viable business move.

Conclusion

As you can see, some of these dates are important as this is when your sales skyrocket, but on the others, you create a personal debt with your customers, one you will charge later down the line. All in all, as a business owner, you cannot afford to underestimate the business potential of mass euphoria. Harnessing it properly can provide you with the much-needed competitive edge and finally turn your small business into a recognizable brand.