How to Run Holiday Sales on Your Online Store: A Simple Guide for Big Results

In this blog, we’ll walk you through practical steps on how to run holiday sales on your online store that not only attract customers but also turn them into loyal fans.

1. Plan Ahead — Way Ahead

Don’t wait until November to start thinking about your holiday promotions. Ideally, start planning at least 6-8 weeks before the holidays. This gives you enough time to:

Decide what products to promote
Design graphics and banners
Prepare your website and backend systems
Schedule marketing campaigns

Early preparation ensures you’re not scrambling at the last minute — and you’re ready when customers start shopping early.

2. Choose the Right Holidays

While Christmas and New Year’s are obvious, don’t overlook other holidays like:

Black Friday
Cyber Monday
Thanksgiving
Hanukkah
Diwali
Boxing Day

Think about which holidays matter most to your audience and tailor your promotions accordingly.

3. Create Irresistible Offers

Make sure your deals are truly appealing. Some tried-and-tested holiday offers include:

Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO)
Bundle Discounts
Flash Sales
Sitewide Percentage Off
Free Shipping or Free Gift with Purchase

Keep your offers simple, clear, and time-limited to encourage fast action.

4. Update Your Store’s Look for the Season

Your store should feel festive! Update your homepage, banners, and product pages with seasonal colors, imagery, and messaging. Small tweaks like snowflakes, red and green themes, or gift wrap icons can signal to shoppers that holiday deals are live.

Also, add a countdown timer or "limited time offer" banners to create urgency.

5. Promote Across All Channels

Your holiday sale won’t succeed if no one knows about it. Promote across:

Email Marketing – Send out a sequence: teaser email, launch email, reminder, and last-call.
Social Media – Share countdowns, sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes.
Paid Ads – Run Facebook, Instagram, or Google Ads targeting holiday shoppers.
SMS or WhatsApp – Quick updates for flash deals and reminders.

Make sure your messaging is consistent across platforms and highlights the value of your offer.

6. Optimize for Mobile Shopping

More than half of holiday shopping happens on mobile. Ensure your website is:

Fast-loading
Mobile-responsive
Easy to navigate
With a smooth checkout process

Avoid making users zoom in or click tiny buttons — mobile shopping should be seamless.

7. Highlight Shipping Deadlines

Holiday shopping is time-sensitive. Be clear about:

Order deadlines to receive items before the holiday
Cutoff dates for standard and express shipping
Any fulfillment delays

Add banners or popups to inform shoppers and build trust.

8. Offer Gift Wrapping and Custom Messages

Little touches can go a long way. Allow customers to:

Add gift wrapping for a small fee or for free
Include a personalized message
Ship directly to gift recipients

This makes your store a one-stop solution for busy shoppers.

9. Track Performance and Learn

Once your sale is over, take time to review:

Which products sold best?
Which channels drove the most traffic?
What emails had the highest open and click-through rates?

These insights will help you refine your future holiday promotions.

10. Keep the Momentum Going

Don’t disappear after the holiday season. Use this time to:

Follow up with a “Thank You” email
Offer post-holiday or New Year sales
Ask for product reviews
Encourage newsletter signups or loyalty memberships

This builds long-term customer relationships beyond the holiday season.

Final Thoughts

Running a successful holiday sale on your online store is all about strategy, timing, and customer experience. By planning early, offering compelling deals, and promoting them effectively, you can turn the holiday season into your most profitable time of year. So, get festive, get creative, and get ready to make those sales!