Leveraging Google Ads for the Festive Season Sales

Although we’re still in the thick of the Christmas rush, it's never too early to start thinking about how to capitalise on the sales opportunities that come after the festive season. After Christmas, shoppers often turn their attention to post-holiday deals, whether it's using up gift cards, taking advantage of clearance sales, or simply indulging in a few treats with leftover Christmas funds.

One of the best tools to make the most of this period is Google Ads. Whether you’re looking to drive sales during the lull after the holidays or boost your brand’s presence in the new year, Google Ads can help you reach the right customers and maximise your sales potential.

In this post, we'll explore how you can leverage Google Ads to increase your post-Christmas sales and make sure you're well-positioned for the start of the new year.

Why Choose Google Ads?

Google Ads offers a range of powerful features that allow businesses to reach potential customers based on their search behaviour, location, and interests. The platform's flexibility makes it a great option for businesses of all sizes, allowing you to adjust your budget, track performance, and optimise campaigns in real-time. With Google Ads, you can ensure your post-Christmas offers are reaching the right audience at just the right time.

How to Leverage Google Ads for Post-Christmas Sales

1. Tap Into New Year’s Resolutions

As we move into the new year, many people will be looking to make positive changes, whether it’s getting fit, eating healthier, or improving their home. If your products or services align with these goals, Google Ads can help you target the right audience.

  • For example: If you’re selling fitness equipment, workout plans, or health-focused products, you could target keywords like “new year fitness goals” or “healthy living 2024”.

  • Ad Tip: Use specific keywords like “January sale” or “new year’s resolution deals” to attract customers who are focused on making changes in the new year.

2. Highlight After-Christmas Discounts

After Christmas, shoppers are often on the lookout for post-Christmas bargains and discounts. Google Ads can help you promote these sales to customers who are actively searching for great deals.

  • For example: If you have leftover Christmas stock or are offering discounts on selected items, use Google Ads to get the word out. Highlight these offers with messaging like “New Year Sale – Up to 50% off!” or “After Christmas Clearance – Limited Time Only!”

  • Ad Tip: Use urgency in your ads with phrases such as “Last chance for savings” to encourage customers to act quickly.

3. Remarketing to Past Visitors

Even if shoppers visited your site during the Christmas period, there’s no guarantee they made a purchase. Remarketing ads are a great way to re-engage these potential customers by showing them the exact products they were interested in.

  • For example: Set up a remarketing campaign for customers who viewed products but didn’t purchase. Google Ads can display ads featuring the exact items they looked at, reminding them of what they missed.

  • Ad Tip: Use personalised messaging like “Still interested? Shop now and save” or “Your cart is waiting for you”.

4. Create Countdown Ads

As January comes to a close, shoppers may feel pressure to take advantage of your sales before they end. Countdown ads create a sense of urgency, encouraging customers to make a purchase before the offers expire.

  • For example: If you have a limited-time post-Christmas promotion, set up countdown ads to display the number of hours or days left for the sale.

  • Ad Tip: Google Ads has a countdown feature that lets you display a timer, which can help build urgency and drive conversions.

Budgeting and Bidding for Maximum Results

As the new year approaches, many businesses are reassessing their budgets. With Google Ads, you can set a flexible budget and optimise your bidding strategy to get the best value for your ad spend.

  • Ad Tip: Start with a conservative budget and test different keywords and ad types. Based on the results, you can adjust your spend and bids to focus on the highest-performing ads.

  • Bidding Tip: Consider using Smart Bidding options, such as Target CPA (Cost Per Acquisition) or Target ROAS (Return on Ad Spend), to automatically optimise your bids for conversions.

Tracking and Optimising Your Campaigns

Once your ads are live, it’s essential to track their performance to see what’s working and what isn’t. Google Ads provides in-depth analytics, including click-through rates, conversion rates, and impressions, so you can see how your campaigns are performing in real-time.

  • Ad Tip: Regularly check your campaigns to see if certain ads are underperforming. Use A/B testing to try different variations of your ads and optimise based on the data.

Conclusion

While the Christmas rush continues, it's never too early to start planning your post-holiday strategy. By using Google Ads to promote your post-Christmas offers, remarket to previous visitors, and create a sense of urgency with countdowns, you can ensure a strong finish to the holiday season and start the new year with momentum.

Google Ads provides a powerful way to target the right audience, optimise your budget, and track your results, making it an invaluable tool for businesses looking to capitalise on the post-Christmas period.

Dr. Josh Bradley PhD

Dr. Josh Bradley has almost two decades of experience working in Digital Advertising including SEO, Paid Search, Programmatic and OOH Digital Media. He has helped over 200 companies succeed and is a regular contributor to online publications and LinkedIn.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjbv/
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Instagram Shopping: Making the Most of Your Holiday Catalog