As we step into 2023, e-commerce brands need to focus on efficiency and optimization to stay ahead in the competitive landscape. Here are ten tips to help you get ready for the new year:

1. Prioritize Your Website's Conversion Rate: To boost your online sales, focus on improving your website's conversion rate. Start by conducting an audit to identify areas for improvement. Work with a CRO team to build an optimization roadmap that addresses factors such as traffic quality, user experience, price point, product assortment, and content.

2. Optimize Your Resources: Take a moment to reflect on your team's challenges in 2022 and reassess your current Mar-Tech stack. Determine where you need the most support, whether that be content distribution, operational improvements, or more efficient reporting. Seek out the appropriate support to carry you through the year.

3. Invest in Influencer Marketing: Partnering with influencers who have a following in your niche can help you reach new audiences and build trust with potential customers. When selecting influencers, consider factors such as engagement rate, authenticity, and alignment with your brand values. With third-party targeting data falling to the wayside, utilizing this approach can help you target potential customers most likely to convert.

4. Widen Your View with Incremental Data: Use attribution tools and experimentation to gain a more efficient perspective on marketing performance. This will help you lower risk and get a holistic view of how your media channels work together. Adding an extra data layer allows you to fine-tune your marketing plan for hyper-efficiency as you put your budgets together.

5. Fortify Your First Party Data: With third-party data becoming less reliable, seek out ways to organize, utilize, and enrich your own customer data. Leverage tools like Customer Data Platforms (CDP's) and referral/loyalty programs to begin building effective and personalized audiences.

6. Check Your Inventory Vitals: With the holiday shopping frenzy behind us, prioritize your initiatives and pivot your upcoming Spring campaign budget towards further markdowns and close-outs of older products. Obtain a clear scope of where you stand with inventory and what your priorities are. This will keep you agile as you roll out your plan for Q1.

7. Focus on Mobile Optimization: As more people shop on mobile devices, it's essential to ensure that your website is optimized for mobile use. This includes having a responsive design, fast loading times, and easy navigation. Mobile optimization can also improve your SEO rankings, as Google prioritizes mobile-friendly websites in search results.

8. Leverage User-Generated Content: User-generated content (UGC) provides social proof and authentic content that resonates with potential customers. Encourage customers to share photos and reviews of your products on social media and feature UGC on your website and in your marketing campaigns.

9. Use Retargeting Ads: Re-engage customers who have already visited your website with personalized ads based on their previous interactions with your site. Retargeting ads can be highly effective in encouraging users to return and complete a purchase.

10. Prioritize Customer Service: Exceptional customer service is essential for building customer loyalty and driving repeat business. Offer multiple channels for customer support, respond promptly to inquiries, and actively seek out feedback from customers to improve your offerings. Prioritizing customer service can create a positive reputation for your brand and set you apart from competitors.