Research shows that Christmas shoppers had an overall positive experience shopping online last year, with many people looking to take advantage of pre-Christmas sales (which have been known to start as early as September), low-cost bargains and clever pricing and deal strategies by the retailers to entice the shopper early in the Christmas shopping buying cycle.

Here are our 5 top tips to make sure that consumers spend their money with you this Christmas:

1: Offer discount vouchers which are visibly promoted on your website.

2: Create Christmas, Boxing Day, and Gift/Wish List themed landing pages.

3: Ensure a minimum order value to receive free courier delivery within UK, Europe or Worldwide.

4: Offer a final purchase date as close to December 25th 2010 if possible.

5: Schedule your marketing strategy way head of Christmas so as to avoid a last minute patch work plan, especially if you are putting an SEO plan in place.

As shoppers are keen to be the first to spot bargains and special offers, marketers are constantly trying to monitor consumer behaviour to ensure their products and services are first to appear in front of the consumer at the right time, place and price.

Here are 7 traits to a savvy Christmas shopper:

1: Their budget is planned and spread over a number of months in advance of Christmas.

2: They make lists of the people they need to buy gifts for

3: They set a budget for each person they are buying presents for.

4: Presents that need to be bought are planned well in advance of Christmas, but there are last minute purchases so be prepared for those too.

5: Savvy shoppers try to avoid stress so have strong Christmas offerings on your website.

6: Comparison-shopping is common in the lead up to Christmas, so how are you going to standout from the crowd?

7: Timely home delivery is very much appreciated

If you’re not sure how you should market yourselves to the savvy Christmas shopper contact us and we’ll help plan your online marketing strategy.