Deck the Site With Boughs of Holly

Yes, it’s getting to be that time of year. People are making plans to get together with family, children are writing out their lists, and department stores are adding holiday trimmings to their window displays.

Have you thought about jazzing up your storefront in celebration of the holidays? Just because it’s a virtual store doesn’t mean you can’t add a festive touch. It’s a great way to remind your customers that there are thoughtful, real people behind the site and it’s not just some technical façade. Keep in mind that customers who come to your site are not just contributors to page view statistics; they are individuals who respond with human emotion each time they visit your store.

These tiny accents can make customers smile as the page loads. By evoking positive emotions from those who visit your site, you help solidify a positive image of your brand.

The best place to position holiday touches is within global navigation. This allows you to maintain a holiday feel on every page, regardless of where the customers enters or wanders in your site. Plus, it’s minimal effort to put it in a single, global place.

Many e-commerce sites add a holiday sparkle by making subtle changes in their logos, which appear at the top of every page:

Other companies add holiday cheer to other elements in the top navigation. They add imagery around the search box or shopping cart or just use holiday colors:

Remember, shopping is both a practical and emotional experience for customers, so be sure to keep both factors in mind as you plan your site this holiday season.

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