Tips to Increase Online Sales During Ramadan

Ramadan is one of the most anticipated months for the Indonesian people. Not only Muslims but also business owners who want to maximize the momentum of Ramadan celebrations to increase their products or services sales. Because every time Ramadan arrives, the expenses of Muslims also increase. The year 2022 is the third year that Indonesians welcome Ramadan amid the Covid-19 pandemic. However, many predict that the interest of Indonesians to shop online during Ramadan this year will increase compared to the previous year. The shift in spending behavior is inseparable from the way of life that has changed due to the imposition of restrictions on social activities, which is one of the government's efforts to prevent the spread of Covid-19 in the country. A survey by The Trade Desk and YouGov found that two out of three (68 percent of survey respondents) Indonesians plan to shop more online. InMobi, a multinational mobile advertising technology company, also shared similar findings. In the Getting Ramadan Rush Ready with Mobile survey, they revealed that there was a significant increase in Indonesian people spending between IDR 2 million to IDR 3 million in this year's Ramadan. From the same survey, it was also stated that food, clothing, gifts, home supplies, and personal care were the most sought-after product categories in Ramadan this year. While the purpose of shopping is for themselves, family members, friends, business partners, and household assistants.  

Tips to Increase Online Sales in the Holy Month of Ramadan

With a series of changes that occurred in Ramadan this year, business owners must understand the expectations of the Indonesian people who want to shop online. Therefore, they must make several adjustments to optimize online sales of their products or services in this month of Ramadan. Here are some tips to increase online sales that can be practiced during Ramadan:  

Market research

Before Ramadan arrives, business owners must do market research. The goal is to find out changes in market behavior during Ramadan, find which products might be popular, buyer demographics, and the best hours for promotions. This small-scale research doesn't have to cost a lot. If available, business owners can use the previous year's sales data to study. In addition, they can also seek relevant data from institutions that always issue research data before Ramadan arrives.  

Develop a marketing strategy

After getting the data needed, business owners can formulate a marketing campaign strategy according to the targeted audience. Each age group usually has different shopping preferences. This year, the InMobi survey report said 58% of respondents from Gen Z in Indonesia tend to shop at the beginning of Ramadan and prioritize free shipping when shopping online from most Indonesians. However, keep in mind that the Covid-19 pandemic still exists. So, in addition to providing discounts or combining free shipping, business owners can also package more personalized marketing campaigns to create a unique personal experience for consumers. For example, if a business owner has a food product, they can make a funny, quirky, or touching video tailored to the needs of his target audience.  

Get creative with promotional materials

In Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, it is common knowledge that consumers place their smartphones as their center of attention. Therefore, business owners must be able to create promotional materials with a focus on appearing on consumer phones. In order for these promotional materials to attract consumers' attention, three criteria must be met.

1. Tease: Promotional materials should be able to tease the users' curiosity.
2. Reach wider: Promotional materials must help consumers understand what is available to them and trigger action to share the material with a wider market.
3. Retargeting: Promotional materials can embrace the power of storytelling to drive potential customers into deeper marketing channels and drive conversions.

 

Making special gifts or packaging for Ramadan

In addition to promos, many people also like limited edition products. Therefore, presenting products with unique and special packaging for Ramadan can be an idea that is worth trying. By making exclusive gifts or packaging, consumers can feel a sense of satisfaction when they manage to get unique products sold in limited quantities. Business owners also don't need to produce new products because they can also do repackaging with unique packaging designs. What needs to note is the relevance of the product. Business owners must ensure that the packaged products in special packaging are related to the Ramadan moment, such as food menus with date sauce or Muslim clothes with limited models.  

Ramadan is the right month to win the hearts of consumers

Ramadan is a month full of blessings. Not only a blessing in the form of a reward for Muslims who worship, but also a blessing to entrepreneurs. It is common knowledge that when the holy month of Ramadan arrives, the interest of Muslims in Indonesia in shopping will also increase. Therefore, Ramadan can be one of the most appropriate months to win the hearts of consumers and increase business sales. However, business owners also need to remember that Ramadan this year is different from Ramadan five or ten years ago when Covid-19 did not exist, and internet technology was not as advanced as it is now. So some adjustments should not be missed. For example, promotional campaign materials created and distributed must not forget empathy for people affected by the pandemic. On the other hand, fully utilized advanced technology is a must to provide a unique experience to customers. When the convergence between product offerings, marketing content, and consumer smartphones converges, it can create experiences that delight, inspire and empower users. So, it will all make a difference in Ramadan this year and ultimately help the business to continue to grow.