The holiday season, including Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas shopping rush. This is a prime time for brands to capitalise on.

Q4 is a challenging period to manage effectively, testing the limits of your eCommerce strategy with numerous holidays to prepare for.

Statistics reveal that Black Friday is among the year’s largest shopping days, if not the largest – with last year’s UK spending reaching an estimated £8.57 billion. Thus, adequate preparation is crucial.

But that doesn’t mean it should be a continuous concern. At Digital On Demand, we aim to help you implement an eCommerce marketing strategy that is both effective and free of stress.

Being an eCommerce marketing agency, we are fully aware of this year’s expected challenges, from customer service to conversion rates. That’s why we’ve prepared a useful guide to see you through Q4 and Black Friday comfortably.

Here you’ll find key advice for enhancing budgets, augmenting engagement, and boosting online sales. Dive in to fully optimise your eCommerce strategy.

NOTE: Having trouble growing your eCommerce store as quickly or profitably as you desire? Click here to schedule a complimentary call with our team. We’ll demonstrate how we can expand your brand, as we’ve done for numerous clients.

Tip #1 – Your Calendar is Crucial

First and foremost, in Q4, your calendar isn’t just vital; it’s your closest ally. Research shows that 57% of retailers see a sales boost in this quarter each year. Act swiftly to maximise this period and avert last-minute chaos.

Q4 is brimming with events and holidays that can capture customers and enhance online sales. Black Friday and Cyber Monday mustn’t be overlooked while the Christmas season maintains sales momentum till the year’s end.

Understanding when these holidays occur is vital. A well-structured marketing calendar can be an invaluable tool, helping you know when to launch new campaigns and customer communications, either through social media or landing pages.

Knowing the schedule of upcoming events enables retailers to prepare relevant campaigns for each holiday in advance, assuring optimal customer engagement.

Here’s a rundown of 2020’s significant holidays that every eCommerce marketer should recognise:

• October 31st: Halloween. Create engaging campaigns, like Marks and Spencer did on Instagram.
  
  

• November 27th: Black Friday. Expect huge deals, discounts, and a tremendous increase in online sales.
  
  
• November 30th: Cyber Monday. With larger discounts and the convenience of online shopping, it might even surpass Black Friday.
  
  
• December 5th: Small Business Day. Engage customers by celebrating uniqueness and community spirit.
  
  
• December 15th: Free Shipping Day. Offering free shipping can significantly boost sales.
  
  
• December 24th/25th/26th: Christmas Eve/Day/Boxing Day. Plan in advance to avoid last-minute panic.
  
  
• December 31st: New Year’s Eve. Expect party-themed campaigns, though 2020’s lockdown might affect this.

A coherent marketing calendar ensures smooth social media campaigns tailored to each holiday, enhancing engagement and sales. Also, remember to adapt customer messaging to reflect the specific holiday focus.

Ignoring customer messaging and your calendar can lead to lost engagement, conversions, and sales. Don’t let this crucial period slip through your fingers. Plan, prepare, and prosper with this comprehensive Q4 guide.

Tip #2 – Thoughtful Allocation of Your Social Ad Budget

Similar to maintaining a schedule of holiday-specific campaigns, you also need to pay attention to how you allocate your Social Ad budget throughout not just Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but the entire Q4.

As an eCommerce Marketing Agency, we’ve developed an effective approach to allocating your social ad budget leading up to Black Friday.

If implemented accurately, smart allocation of your social ad budget can yield sales beyond your expectations. For a fruitful paid social strategy, it’s essential to secure your traffic well in advance.

Assess the best social, search, and display platforms for media purchases for your brand (Google Analytics will be quite handy here), and figure out when you can get the best deal to reach the highest number of potential customers.

What we suggest?

We suggest distributing your Social Ad budget on a 90/10 split in the week leading up to Black Friday, with 90% of your budget targeting new audiences. Then, in the week before Black Friday, distribute the remaining 10% on re-targeting.

When Black Friday finally arrives, adjust this to a 50/50 split between acquiring new audiences and re-targeting existing ones.

Re-targeting should focus on those who have:

• Visited your site in the last 180 days
• Purchased from you in the last 180 days
• Interacted with you on Facebook or Instagram in the past 365 days
• Watched at least 25% of your video ads or content in the past 180 days

But why is this important?

It’s crucial to re-engage all individuals who have encountered your brand over the previous 365 days and convert them into customers on days when your site will experience the highest conversion rates.

If executed correctly, this strategy can yield remarkable results throughout Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holiday season while securing the highest return on ad spend (ROAS) you’ve ever witnessed.

Tip #3 – Broaden Your Traffic Source Spectrum

Diversifying your social media traffic sources beyond Facebook can have a substantial impact on your brand, from increasing total revenues to reaching customers who aren’t frequent Facebook users.

There are many traffic sources to pick from for your eCommerce marketing strategy!

So, where do we recommend expanding to after Facebook and Instagram?

Consider Pinterest, Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok.

Snapchat, with 229 million daily active users reported in Q1 2020, may not be as widely used as YouTube or Instagram, but it offers a much more affordable cost per thousand impressions (CPM). Therefore, it’s a good option if your target audience uses the platform.

Incorporating other social media traffic sources beyond Facebook can benefit your brand for several reasons.

When retailers rely solely on Facebook and Instagram for their eCommerce strategies, they may see occasional performance fluctuations, leading to forecasting problems and unnecessary panic. However, if your eCommerce strategy involves a wider variety of traffic sources, your data will be less susceptible to abrupt changes.

Another benefit of diversifying your eCommerce traffic sources leading up to Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Holiday Season is that it allows you to reach potential new customers who aren’t regular Facebook or Instagram users.

Exploring new audiences like this is almost always valuable. Last year, the average customer’s order value through Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals was estimated to be £300.

Finally, diversifying your traffic sources is essential because, as social media evolves, a broad variety of sources can help future-proof your business. Much like investors need a diverse portfolio, your eCommerce marketing plan requires a vast and varied selection of traffic sources.

Tip #4 – Get Your Video Creatives Ready

Video content plays a crucial role in any eCommerce marketing strategy, with 62% of consumers indicating that they watch product reviews before purchasing and fresh data suggesting that authentic videos enhance a brand’s trustworthiness.

In the run-up to Black Friday and Cyber Monday, retailers should leverage video content. When employed correctly, video content can elevate conversion rates and stimulate sales.

Therefore, understanding how to optimise your video content to its fullest potential in preparation for Black Friday is paramount.

A straightforward yet effective method to craft video content is to use the AIDA approach.

A – Attention

I – Interest

D – Desire

A – Action

First, you must catch the customer’s attention with an engaging headline. If you fail to intrigue the customer within the first 5 seconds, there’s a high likelihood that they will abandon the video. Hence, it’s crucial to capture their attention quickly and sustain it.

Capturing a customer’s attention doesn’t guarantee retaining it, which is where the next step, Interest, comes into play. Engage the viewer by relating to their experiences, intriguing them, or creating some form of connection.

So, you’ve got the viewer’s interest.

Now what? How do you convert this into sales?

To transform the viewer into a potential customer, you must create a desire for your product. Illustrate why they need your product and demonstrate all the benefits it offers.

Finally, the Action step involves guiding the customer on their next steps. Where should they visit? How can they get there?

You should strive to make this step as simple and straightforward as possible to ensure that the viewer follows the call-to-action without confusion.

Remember, the optimal duration for video ads to maintain viewer engagement, on average, is approximately 30 – 45 seconds. Keep this in mind to avoid viewers abandoning the video.

It’s also noteworthy that recent studies show that 85% of Facebook users watch videos without sound. One strategy to address this is to incorporate compelling subtitles, enabling customers to comprehend the video while preserving their viewing preference.

Done correctly, video content can significantly enhance your Black Friday eCommerce strategy. However, some challenges exist, such as the risk of viewers abandoning the video if it doesn’t immediately capture their attention.

Assess Potential Improvements to Your Page’s Loading Speed Scrutinise areas where you can enhance your page’s loading speed to prevent losing prospective sales.

Ensure a Seamless Checkout Experience

A convoluted checkout process can lead to cart abandonment by customers – this is one of the prime reasons for cart abandonment, second only to shipping costs.

By ensuring your checkout process is effortless and user-friendly, retailers can transform potential abandonments into valuable sales during Black Friday and the ensuing holiday season with enticing deals.

If you’re keen on discovering more ways to swiftly amplify your conversion rates and stimulate sales, consider reading our previous year’s blog post on the subject here.

From initiating email retargeting campaigns to observing and simplifying your checkout process, numerous strategies exist to optimise conversion rates, which will propel your sales during Black Friday and the holiday season!

The Summary

With Black Friday and the holiday season rapidly approaching, and with numerous deals prompting customers to engage with retailers globally, it’s more crucial than ever to examine your eCommerce strategy critically and question whether it’s fully optimised.

Data has already shown that Black Friday is the biggest shopping holiday of the year. Therefore, by ensuring your eCommerce strategy is leveraged to its maximum potential, it’s feasible to enhance conversion rates, heighten engagement, and accelerate sales throughout the holiday season.

What key takeaways can we discern? Your calendar is your ultimate ally.

With a series of holidays falling in Q4, it’s crucial to meticulously plan your marketing content and messaging, adapting the theme and tone to align with each forthcoming holiday, ranging from Halloween to Free Shipping Day.

Plan and allocate your paid social ad budget wisely and ahead of time.

By strategically balancing your ad budget between cold traffic and re-targeting, you can tap into new demographics and enhance sales at a lower cost.

Broaden the scope of your traffic sources.

There are numerous benefits to diversifying your traffic origins – from discovering new audiences to making your brand’s marketing strategy resilient to future changes.

It’s the right moment to devise a video content strategy.

Since video content is one of the most potent forms of marketing content, it’s vital to incorporate it into your strategy if you haven’t done so yet.

As the holiday season is imminent, and consumers are looking for deals, now is the prime opportunity to showcase why your product reigns supreme, adhering to the straightforward AIDA model.

Implement your conversion rate changes promptly.

Making changes to your conversion rates sooner rather than later can decide between a triumphant Q4 and a dismal one.

If your site is drawing visitors but failing to clinch sales, consider investigating where you can tweak conversion rates. You can try initiating email re-targeting campaigns and refining the checkout process.

By sticking to these straightforward steps, you can ensure that your eCommerce strategy is fully prepared. If you need help improving conversion rates and managing your paid social ad budget during Black Friday, book a call with our performance team.

The post The Ultimate Q4 eCommerce Guide for Success [Black Friday] appeared first on Digital On Demand | We help disruptive brands scale and sustain.

Being aware of the user demographics for each platform can guide you in determining where to allocate your time and marketing resources. Moreover, it can be intriguing to delve deeper into the platforms that we frequently use, both in our personal lives and professional endeavours.

These statistics cover the range of products under Meta’s umbrella, with particular emphasis on Facebook and Instagram.

Meta User Statistics

Are you intrigued about the demographic profile of users engaging with Meta’s offerings such as Facebook and Instagram? You’re certainly not the only one! Fortunately, there’s a wealth of data available that provides a glimpse into its user community. These Meta statistics will enhance your understanding of the user composition on these platforms.

1)  Meta Has More Than 3 Billion Users Worldwide

Meta’s family of products, which includes Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and more, boasts over 3 billion monthly active users. This staggering number underscores the platform’s global reach and influence, making it a vital tool for marketers worldwide. Whether you’re a small business owner or a multinational corporation, Meta’s extensive user base offers a unique opportunity to connect with diverse audiences.

2) India Dominates in Audience Size for Facebook and Instagram

Social media platforms, particularly Facebook and Instagram, enjoy immense popularity among the Indian populace. With approximately 314.6 million Facebook users and 229.55 million Instagram users, India stands at the forefront. The U.S. trails behind in the second position in terms of audience reach for both platforms, boasting 175 million Facebook users and 143.35 million Instagram users.

3) Most of Facebook’s users around the world are men.

Research from January 2023 revealed that out of all Facebook users globally, 56.3% were men and 43.4% were women. Even though the difference isn’t massive, it indicates that men use Facebook more often.

4) Instagram has a slightly higher number of male users.

The gender difference among Instagram users is less pronounced. Men constitute 56.5% of Instagram’s users, with women making up the remaining 43.5%.

Global Meta Statistics

Let’s now focus on Meta’s global influence. These statistics about Meta show the worldwide popularity of the company’s various platforms. This gives you an idea of their extensive reach and significant influence in the realm of social media.

5) 3.02 Billion People Use at Least One of Meta’s Products Daily

It’s a good sign for a business when people use their platforms daily. In the first quarter of 2023, it was found that 3.02 billion people used at least one of Meta’s main products every day. These products are Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook Messenger.

6) Meta’s Total Income Fell to $116 Billion in 2022

In 2022, Meta’s income was reported to be $116 billion, down from $117 billion in the previous financial year. This marks the first time the social media company has experienced a drop in revenue.

Meta UK Statistics

7) Meta’s Platforms Are Highly Used by UK Residents Between 25-34 Years

A study from January 2023 revealed that Meta’s social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, were most used by UK residents between the ages of 25 and 34. Women in this age group represented more than 12% of Meta’s total UK users. Men of the same age group made up 11.7% of the users.

8) Usage for Facebook and Instagram Increased in Early 2022

Facebook and Instagram experienced a minor increase in usage among UK users. Focusing specifically on British consumers, Facebook’s daily use grew by 6.6%, while Instagram’s daily engagement rose by 6.7%.

9) In terms of reach, WhatsApp holds the title as the most favored social media platform.

Statistics from the third quarter of 2022 show that WhatsApp was the leading social media network in the UK, with close to 74% of online users indicating they used the service. Following closely behind, Facebook was the second most utilized platform, encompassing 70.7% of internet users. Instagram and Facebook Messenger secured the third and fourth positions, respectively.

Meta Platform Statistics

Now, we’ll pause for a moment to examine some of Meta’s leading platforms on an individual basis. By doing so, you’ll gain insight into their popularity based on the number of active users. Here are some intriguing statistics related to Meta that you might find interesting:

10) Instagram Boasts 1.21 Billion Monthly Active Users Globally

As of 2021, statistics revealed that Instagram had 1.21 billion users actively engaging with the platform on a monthly basis worldwide. This accounts for more than 28% of global internet users. The platform’s growth doesn’t appear to be waning, as the number of monthly active users is projected to reach 1.44 billion by the year 2025.

11) Facebook is the most popular social network, with 2.98 billion people using it monthly.

In terms of monthly engagement, Facebook remains unparalleled. As of the first quarter of 2023, Meta’s flagship platform had an impressive 2.98 billion active users per month. Achieving this milestone took over 14 years, but there is every indication that the platform will continue to experience even further growth in the future.

Meta Advertiser Statistics

It’s clear that both Facebook and Instagram rank among the top platforms that businesses think of when planning to invest in social media advertising. And this isn’t without reason! These platforms offer remarkable chances for companies to increase brand recognition and boost sales. Here’s the explanation:

12) Meta’s Advertising Reach Extends to 2.11 Billion Individuals

When investing in social media advertisements, it’s crucial to ensure that they will be viewed by a substantial number of people within your targeted audience. With this in mind, a standout statistic for advertisers to be aware of regarding Meta is their assertion that their overall advertising reach encompasses 2.11 billion people. This is indeed an impressive figure, isn’t it?

13) Over 3 Million Active Advertisers Utilize Meta’s Platforms

If you choose to initiate advertising on platforms such as Facebook or Instagram, you won’t be alone. Meta has stated that over 3 million active advertisers are currently using its platforms. This underscores the notion that there’s ample opportunity for anyone to embrace paid advertising.

14) Facebook Ads Connect with 34.1% of the World’s Population Aged 13 and Over

Highlighting their effectiveness, Facebook ads are able to connect with 34.1% of the global population that is 13 years of age or older. Given that businesses generally aim their ads at adults, insights such as this from Meta are valuable to understand, helping you gauge the potential to reach your intended audience.

15) Facebook Stories Ads Resonate with Consumers the Most

Though feed ads are often the preferred choice, businesses should not overlook Facebook Stories ads. Approximately 50% of consumers have expressed a desire to learn about new products via Facebook Stories. Additionally, 58% of consumers have visited a company’s website after viewing a Story ad, and 31% were motivated to explore a Facebook shop.

16) U.S. Facebook Ad Revenue Is Expected to Reach $65.21 Billion in 2023

The revenue from Facebook ads in the U.S. is forecasted to reach $65.21 billion in 2023, marking a 15.5% increase from the previous year. Given that digital advertising revenue serves as Meta’s primary income source, this substantial growth is not unexpected.

Meta Stock Statistics

If the stock market piques your interest, you may be curious about who the largest Meta shareholders are, though the holder of the top position might not be a surprise to you! Here are some statistics related to Meta’s stock, illustrating the controlling interest held by various parties:

17) Mark Zuckerberg Holds the Majority of Shares in Meta Platforms Inc.

Having founded Facebook in February 2004 and serving as CEO ever since, it’s not surprising that Mark Zuckerberg possesses the controlling interest in the company. He owns 16.8% of all outstanding shares, amounting to a staggering market value of $398.2 million. This ownership stake establishes Zuckerberg as the leading institutional investor in the company.

Leverage These Meta Statistics to Enhance Your Online Presence

With these insightful Meta statistics at your disposal, use this data to guide your future social media strategies. This information will assist you in deciding where to invest your time and resources to boost your brand visibility.

Want to know how Digital On Demand can aid in fortifying your social media strategy? Contact us today for more information.

Alternatively, check out our blog post on the leading Performance Marketing Agencies in the UK here.

The post 17 Key Meta Statistics to Keep on Your Radar in 2023 appeared first on Digital On Demand | We help disruptive brands scale and sustain.

No matter what kind of business you have, we’ve got you covered.

Save time and find the perfect agency today!

What to Consider When Choosing an Performance Marketing Agency

Before we get to the list of advertising agencies, it’s important to know what you should look for and why these agencies made the cut.

We chose these agencies based on the following:

Specialization:

Make sure they understand your industry and business type to get good results.

Proven track record:

Look at their past results for other clients to see what they can do for you.

Channel expertise:

Consider whether you need online or offline advertising and check their experience and certifications.

Communication:

Find an agency that feels like a part of your team and understands your company.

Now that you know what to consider, let’s explore the top advertising agencies in the UK.

Top Performance Marketing Agencies for eCommerce Brands

Digital On Demand

Indeed, we are proud to be recognized as one of the top performance marketing agencies in the UK. Our honours include winning two prestigious Paid Media Awards in Bulgaria in 2020 and 2021 in collaboration with our client, Clothing brand. We were a finalist at the UK Paid Media Awards 2022 as well!

While it may seem like we’re tooting our own horn, our track record speaks for itself. We’ve consistently delivered our promises to our clients, as evidenced by numerous case studies completed in record time. Furthermore, we understand the crucial role of multi-platform strategies in diversifying customer acquisition sources, enhancing scalability, and mitigating performance volatility.

What can we do at Digital On Demand?

Paid Social – Our team helps you get more from your ads and grow on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube. This helps you reach more customers, reduces ups and downs, and makes your brand known everywhere.

Paid Search – We create and run ad campaigns to help businesses grow cheaper. We use Google’s smart system to make sure your ads show to the right people at the right time when they’re ready to buy.

Influencer Marketing – We help your brand get noticed by working with influencers and creators in a way that feels natural and genuine. 

Organic Social – Our team helps you build a strong presence on social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube without spending on ads. This approach helps you naturally reach more people, create a stable brand image, and be present everywhere.

We’re proud to be partners with Google and Meta, which helps us get better information and advice on how to do things best.

But, if what you want to see is some data and proven results, here you have a few:

• Scaled Sara Sweidan by 2.2x ROAS in 7 months using Paid Media and Paid Search.
• Skyrocket sales and reach 8x ROAS in just 6 months for GoSport.
• Lowered CPA by 500% for a Lottery Company whilst drastically scaling budgets.

We’ve helped clients from several different markets and industries, but our area of expertise is in e-commerce. And if you want to read all our case studies, you can check them out here.

So, if you would like to know how to book a free strategy, call and see what Digital On Demand could do for you:

Top Performance Marketing Agencies for B2B Brands

Yours Sincerely

Yours Sincerely is a Bristol-based marketing agency with clients both domestically and globally, they specialise in crafting comprehensive solutions. Their offer includes market strategies, PR campaigns, digital marketing campaigns, and social media management. The team brings a mixture of digital and social expertise, accompanied by extensive industry experience.

Top Performance Marketing Agencies for SaaS and Tech Brands

The Tree

The Tree was founded back in 2014, with a vision to redefine the agency landscape. Over the past 10 years, they have grown into one of the most awarded digital marketing agencies in the UK. Collaborating with clients from around the globe, their comprehensive range of services incorporates marketing strategy, copywriting, graphic and motion design, advertising, and web development.

Push group

Push group offers all kinds of advertising services– PPC, Paid Social, as well as SEO, CRO, web design, creative, and social media management. With a team of 60+ people, they are known for results-driven advertising with offices in the UK, Dubai, and Athens.

The croc

The croc is B2B agency which help brands with innovative, scalable digital marketing. The company forms blended teams and brings together the best combination of skills for each project.  From strategy and creative to media, technology, and data, they exhibit a fervent curiosity and an unwavering attention to detail in tackling every challenge.

Disrupt Marketing

Disrupt is an influencer marketing agency. They help brands to captivate attention and deliver ROI. Their main services are influencer marketing, paid social, social media management, and TikTok. The agency’s head office is based in London. 

BBH

BBH was founded in 1982. At the moment the agency has offices around the world in places like London, China, Dublin, the USA, etc. They offer services for brand strategy, communications, and conversions. 

Contentology

Contentology is a B2B marketing agency, offering services for B2B strategy, content, and digital marketing. They are experienced marketers who are motivated to get you results. Based in Manchester they have worked with a lot of big companies.

Our Own Brand

Our Own Brand is a London-based marketing agency that specialises in social media marketing, branding, web development, and web design. The company was born in 2008 and is now an award-winning agency. They have a team of 16 people and over 60 clients in 14 countries.

https://www.ourownbrand.co/ 

Wildfire

Wildfire is an agency based in London which provides services for social media advertising and marketing. They also have offices in Dubai and Frankfurt. The website displays a wide range of projects designed for various industries.

https://www.agencywildfire.com/ 

Yatter

Yatter is one of the official Facebook Marketing Partners. They spend over £5m in ads every year. Their offer includes all kinds of ad management in Facebook, Google, and TikTok. Although they are a small team, they have shown results-driven ads.

https://weareyatter.com/

In conclusion, the United Kingdom is home to a plethora of top-notch marketing agencies that have proven their mettle in the ever-evolving digital landscape. The agencies mentioned in this article represent just a fraction of the talent and expertise available in the UK. Whether you’re an eCommerce brand aiming to dominate online sales, a B2B enterprise seeking to expand your lead generation efforts, or a SaaS and tech company aiming to revolutionize your industry, there is an agency in the UK that can cater to your specific needs.
So, take the next step and embark on this exciting journey of growth and success. The right marketing agency is waiting to unleash your brand’s true potential and help you reach new heights in the digital landscape. 

Why Choose a Top-Notch Performance Marketing Agency?

In an increasingly competitive market where numerous companies offer similar services and products, performance marketing is a way to gain visibility and achieve a substantial ROI from your marketing investment.

Digital on Demand is here to assist you in making a significant impact, driving traffic, and converting that traffic into sales or leads – this is our speciality.

If you’re interested in discussing your needs with our performance marketing team, please feel free to reach out by clicking the button below:

Chat with the performance marketing team!

The post Top 11 Performance Marketing Agencies in the UK (2023) appeared first on Digital On Demand | We help disruptive brands scale and sustain.