3 tips for Halloween eCommerce business 2020

The ghoulish holiday is not limited to costumes, candy, and the odd decoration; rather America's obsession with Halloween extends to many eCommerce segments, including everything from toys to pet supplies.

Here are 3 tips for scaring up additional sales for an online or multi-channel eCommerce business during the run up to Halloween. As with any sort of marketing, these ideas will need to be customized to meet an individual marketer's needs and goals. But in all cases the aim is to attract more potential buyers and, thereby, increase the opportunity to make sales.

Offer Halloween-themed Bundles

Bundling products together is a great way to sell items during the Halloween shopping season and attract curious site browsers.

As an example, a specialty food supplier might offer Vampire Survival Kits that include a selection of pastas and garlic-rich sauces shipped with wooden bowls and stake-shaped utensils.

An outdoor equipment merchant could sell Werewolf Hunting Kits, including red-lens flashlights, neck gaiters, and crossbows, and hardware stores could offer Zombie Survival Kits complete with pneumatic nail guns.

The goal here is to put together a themed bundle that can be promoted on social media, via email, and as part of a press release.

These bundles can help drive Halloween sales.

Hold a Contest

At its core, Halloween is about dressing up in costume and showing off. This exhibitionist nature lends itself to contest marketing, and perhaps the most obvious form would be a photo or video contest, wherein buyers submit photographs or videos for a chance to win prizes.

A pet supply retailer, for example, might hold a pet costume contest. Entrants photograph a costumed pug, parakeet, or similar pet and submit the picture for a chance to win a year's supply of pet toys and treats. The shop owner could promote the contest on its site, Facebook page, or Pinterest. Banner, print, and even radio advertising might be employed to spread the word about the contest.

Other Halloween photograph contests might feature inside decorations, outside decorations, crafts, costumes for kids or adults, or homemade treats.

There are other forms of contest marketing that would work too. Video or movie memorabilia online shop owners might ask for list of favorite Halloween movies. Sports online shop owners could ask patrons to name their favorite October surprises. Contest marketing is a great way to promote a retail business during the Halloween selling season.

Make a Video

Almost any shop owner with a smartphone can produce high quality videos of Halloween-related promotional content. These videos should be entertaining and sharable.

Video content marketing is always a good idea. But, it is especially good during the Halloween shopping season.

Halloween is an important holiday for eCommerce sales. There are many ways that merchants can market to Halloween buyers. Among these are Halloween-themed bundles, contests and video content. Having fun with it - is the most important part of any Halloween themed marketing!