Back-to-School 2023: eCommerce Trends and Marketing Strategies

The back-to-school (BTS) shopping season marks the start of a lucrative sales event for ambitious online store owners. This year, US parents and students are forecast to spend over $41.5 Billion this summer and early autumn. This huge figure equals over $890 per US household!

Looking for the latest BTS sales trends? This article breaks down this year's spending trends and which products to offer and how to turn this analysis into sales. Plus, checkout our top 5 BTS marketing strategies to help you scale your store in 2023!

Back-to-School Sales Trends in 2023

As online store owners gear up for the back-to-school (BTS) shopping rush, the opportunities for revenue growth are always increasing. In 2023, the BTS season is poised to set new spending records, making it a prime time to capitalize on shifting trends and emerging patterns. Explore the insights that can help you maximize your sales and stand out amidst the BTS frenzy today!

Tapping into Spending Trends

This year's anticipated back-to-school expenditure of 41.5 billion U.S. dollars signifies a lucrative potential for online store owners. To seize this opportunity, it's crucial to understand the evolving purchasing behaviors and preferences that shape these expenditures. By aligning your offerings with the anticipated spending surge, you position your online store for a significant revenue boost.

Creating Your BTS Product Lineup

The traditional back-to-school shopping list has evolved, presenting you with a chance to cater to changing preferences. As technology becomes more integral to education, the surge in demand for computer-related equipment is a trend worth leveraging.

In 2023, a recent Statista study indicates around 70 percent of parents are looking to invest in electronics, a notable increase from a decade ago. Additionally, the popularity of preconfigured supply kits offers an avenue to showcase convenience and cost-effectiveness. By curating a tech-savvy selection and offering ready-to-go kits, you can capture the attention of modern BTS shoppers.

Navigating Inflation

An estimated 36% of global consumers comparing prices in-store and online as a main strategy to fight inflation pressure on budgets. Understanding the impact of inflation on consumers' back-to-school budgets empowers you to craft strategies that resonate.

In the previously mentioned Statista study, a substantial 45% of US parents are also set to engage in comparative shopping online and capitalize on sales periods. This offers a prime opportunity for online store owners to enhance their visibility during these crucial periods. By strategically promoting your offerings and providing compelling deals, you can attract budget-conscious shoppers seeking value without compromising on quality.

Turning Insights into Action

Armed with insights into the 2023 back-to-school sales trends, you have a plan for driving revenue growth in your online store mapped out. Consider diversifying your product lineup to cater to tech-focused preferences and convenience-seeking shoppers.

Leverage your online platform to showcase competitive deals during sales periods, drawing in price-savvy buyers. Moreover, capitalize on the digital landscape by enhancing your online presence to cater to the growing trend of online comparative shopping.

5 Back to School Marketing Strategies For eCommerce Stores

While this back-to-school shopping season presents new challenges for merchants, marketing strategies can be adopted to take advantage of the increase in online shopping. Sometimes it's best to go with what you know works by tweaking and optimizing, but you also need to leave room for agility and experimentation.

Let's take a look at five of the back-to-school marketing strategies that will help you convert customers.

1. If you're not already advertising, start now!

In the fast-paced and competitive world of eCommerce, timing can be everything. Savvy store owners understand the importance of staying ahead of the game. As summer vacation winds up, the focus inevitably shifts towards the upcoming fall season.

Successful online store owners know that seizing the initiative and starting advertising campaigns for the BTS and fall season as early as possible can make a substantial impact on their bottom line. By taking proactive steps now, such as revamping website visuals to reflect autumn hues, updating product descriptions to cater to fall needs, and crafting compelling ad content, store owners can captivate their audience's attention before the competition even starts.

2. Optimize your store for mobile

If you haven't done this yet, now is a perfect time, especially given the holiday shopping season is right around the corner as well.

According to Shopify, sellers are realizing the highest sales and conversions from mobile devices, as more and more people are using their smartphones to shop online. It makes no sense to run successful back-to-school marketing campaigns on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, only to send your buyers to a site that is not mobile-friendly.

Before launching your back-to-school campaigns, make sure that your site is optimized to offer a hassle-free mobile experience from browsing to checkout.

You can also offer tools that make shopping easier for kids such as allowing them the ability to drag and drop back-to-school essentials into virtual baskets.

3. Showcase Positive Reviews

Have reviews ever helped you decide whether to complete a purchase? If yes, then you know social proof can be crucial in boosting sales. When potential customers see that others have had a positive experience purchasing from your online store, it acts like digital word-of-mouth, helping boost conversions.

Check that your product pages feature genuine reviews from satisfied customers. Positive feedback can help highlight the quality and reliablity of your products, highlighting real-life experinces and demonstatring your commitment to customer satisfaction. Strategies for showcasing reviews include:

• Include written reviews that highlight specific benefits or features of the products
• Display star ratings prominently on product pages and category pages
• Curate a "Top-Rated Picks for Back-to-School" section featuring products with the best reviews

4. Run promotions and contests on social media

Due to financial constraints caused by inflation, shoppers will be more budget-conscious this year. You need to factor this into your back-to-school marketing strategy and appeal to your buyers with special promotions such as gift-with-purchases offers, free shipping, BOGO deals, or host a contest.

With people spending more time on social media, now is the time to start running those Instagram and Facebook ads to present your special offers and promotions to your potential buyers.

Incorporating social media contests into your back-to-school campaigns is also a great way to attract the attention of your buyers. You can post items on social media with hashtags and offer your buyers a 20% off their total purchase if they share your back to school hashtags with family and friends.

5. Create a back-to-school landing page

Creating a landing page is a great back-to-school marketing strategy to make it easy for your buyers to shop for their back to school essentials. You can then direct them to this page through back to school campaigns on social media, google ads, or email lists -where they can browse items based on categories. You can also organize your landing page by different demographics such as grade, gender, best seller or price point.

Get Ready for Back-to-School Shipping with Easyship!

With the upcoming back-to-school season, it's time to streamline your shipping process. Whether you're sending supplies to students in the US or tapping into the international market, Easyship is here to help. With the right planning and tools ambitious eCommerce entrepreneurs can have a successful season. Start boosting sales and scaling your store with our market leading shipping tools:

1. Shipping Rate Calculator: Easily find the best deals by comparing exclusive rates from over 550+ courier services worldwide. Make the most cost-effective choices for your shipments.
2. Insurance: Ensure the safety of your shipments with insurance coverage of up to $10,000. Focus on scaling your store while we take care of your packages.
3. Tracking: Boost customer satisfaction with custom-branded tracking emails and automatic message alerts throughout the delivery process. Keep students and their families informed every step of the way.

Now is the time to get started with Easyship to supercharge your shipping. Sign up for a free account now!

Looking for tips on how to ship those back-to-school items? Check out the following:

• Cheapest Way to Ship Clothes: How to Mail Apparel
• Shipping Books: What’s the Cheapest Way to Ship Books?
• All the Tips You Need to Ship a Bike (or eBikes)