While the twelve days of Christmas are traditionally celebrated between December 25 (Christmas Day) and January 5 (the eve of the Epiphany), consumer businesses often celebrate with the “12 Days of Deals” observance where they offer a new deal every day for twelve days leading up to Christmas Eve (although any 12 consecutive days during Small Business Season works). The discounts can be incredibly effective in generating buzz and drawing crowds. After all, everyone wants to know what tomorrow’s discount will be. In this article, we’ll walk you through how you can capitalize on your own “12 Days of Deals” during Small Business Season.  Even if you’re not a traditional retail business, remember all customers enjoy a deal (or, better yet, 12 of them!).

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Optimizing your business’s operations is much simpler when you invest in helpful software programs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the number of software options out there, though, the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce has some tips and resources to make the process a little easier. Marketing Automation System Implementing your marketing strategy and managing campaigns can be laborious, but marketing automation software can help you handle these important tasks efficiently. Plus, a platform like this will keep your marketing team aligned with your sales staff so that these departments don’t accidentally duplicate processes or lose track of important deadlines. Look for software that will generate analytics, supports task automation throughout the entire customer purchasing cycle, and allows campaign customization. LLC Formation Service As a business owner, your to-do list is always packed, and you’re always looking for ways to save time so that you’re not up late working . For example, you can use templates for emails, automate tasks like posting on social media, and tackle your most important, time-consuming tasks early in the day to get them out of the way. You can also turn to online services to boost your productivity. If you’re interested in forming an LLC for your business to cut down on the amount of paperwork you have to deal with, you can file through an online formation service rather than going through the process on your own or hiring a lawyer. Working with Distributors If your business requires you to deal with distributors and suppliers, you’re probably already used to spending a lot of time with contracts. However, one great way to save time while also making it easier to stay organized is by digitizing your contracts so that you can sign online. This also makes it easier to communicate clear expectations. If you’re looking for a reliable PDF signing tool, you may consider this option for free! Time Tracking Tools Sometimes, entrepreneurs and their employees don’t even realize when they’re wasting time on certain processes, or simply falling behind on their productivity. No one can operate at peak productivity all of the time, but using time-tracking software can help you determine where you need to boost your team’s efficiency. Forecast states that time-tracking software can enable transparency into your work processes , enhance accountability amongst your team, and help you determine how to best allocate resources between departments. Bookkeeping Software Today, bookkeeping software is a must for practically every business, even if you only have a couple of employees. Depending on your company’s size, and the specific financial processes that you need to manage, you may be able to get by with a free version of your preferred bookkeeping software. As you explore different software options, Zoho recommends looking for a system that will let you manage both accounts payable and receivable, as well as switch between cash-based and accrual accounting. Digital Whiteboard Maybe you host lots of video meetings because your employees are spread out across the country, or perhaps you regularly schedule video conferences with your business partners in other locations. Sometimes, trying to explain your project ideas without visual aids can be difficult. If this sounds relatable, your company would almost certainly benefit from using a digital whiteboard! This tool can open up exciting possibilities for creative collaborations . If you’d like to start using a digital whiteboard to enable easy collaboration and file sharing during your video meetings, ensure that the whiteboard you choose can support the specific types of files your team works with, and that it can be integrated with your current video conferencing software . With so many different types of software available to business owners, it can be hard to determine which programs are worth the investment. By carefully researching free and paid services, you can implement the best programs for your company’s needs. With PDF signing tools, assistance with LLC formation service, digital whiteboards, and more, your business can enjoy the success you’ve been pursuing. El Dorado Chamber of Commerce is proud to serve the citizens and businesses in our community. Let us know if you have any questions !

As an entrepreneur new to e-commerce, the biggest challenge is often attracting your first customers. Without customers, you won't be able to generate sales or make money online — it's as simple as that. That's why it's essential to find ways of marketing your business and getting in front of new people who will be interested in purchasing from you. Today, El Dorado Chamber of Commerce will go over some practical and easy-to-implement tips for bringing more attention to your newly launched e-commerce store and connecting with potential customers for the very first time. Let’s get started! Create a website that converts The most important part of launching an e-commerce business is having a website that looks professional, is easy to navigate, and provides customers with all the information they need to make a purchase. Designing one with a sleek look and ensuring it's easy to navigate will go miles in attracting potential buyers. You can also show off your skills and attract customers with 3d stagers that include eye-catching images sure to generate extra attention for your business. These sorts of images aren’t just great for your website; you can also share them via social media to further expand your customer base. Make your website and business mobile-friendly With more people using their phones than ever before, your website must be mobile-friendly. This way, customers can easily browse and buy products from their phones without issue. Mobile-friendly responsive design will ensure that your website looks great, no matter what device it is being viewed on, which could lead to increased sales over time. Write effective content Writing effective product or marketing content creates trust between you and potential customers while also helping them understand why they should buy from you instead of someone else. Make sure the content you write is concise yet informative, so readers know exactly what they are buying before making a purchase decision. Most importantly, use keywords related to the product or service being offered so it shows up higher in search engine results pages. Promote on social media Social media can be a great way to promote your products and services while providing real-time customer service. Platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc., allow you to connect with potential customers while also giving them access to reviews from previous customers and building trust in your brand. You can also use these platforms to create contests or giveaways , which can help attract new followers and potential customers. Don’t forget about inventory management Having enough inventory on hand is essential for any successful e-commerce business. Keep track of how much inventory you have in stock at all times so that you don’t run out when orders start coming in. Invest in software solutions that can manage inventory levels automatically so customers get their products on time, every time. Prioritize customer service Providing excellent customer service helps build trust between you and potential customers by showing them that their satisfaction matters to you as much as it does to them. Respond promptly to inquiries via email or social media channels, provide helpful advice when needed, offer discounts for repeat buyers, give away free samples, etc. Doing these will help show potential buyers that their experience with your company will be top-notch if they decide to buy from you. Starting an e-commerce business takes hard work but following these best practices should put entrepreneurs at ease when taking their first steps toward success. Designing an appealing and mobile-friendly website, using social media, managing inventory effectively, writing effective marketing content, and providing excellent customer service are all key elements for attracting first-time customers and even turning them into loyal supporters over time. Whether you’re a well-established business or just getting started, the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce is here to help. If you have any questions, call (316) 321-3150.