The festive season is here, and the frenzy of shoppers, decorations, lights, food, and holiday cheer is inescapable for the rest of 2017. You might be tired of hearing Christmas carols on the radio since October and seeing stores decked out in red, green, silver, and gold from September!

Don’t worry if you’re not a holiday enthusiast, the end is in sight. However, for marketers, this is prime time! You have a few more weeks to maximize this period of increased online shopping, research, and spending through your digital advertising campaigns. Google recently released some insightful marketing statistics to guide your holiday strategy. Let’s dive into the top 10 holiday marketing stats below.

#1: 8 out of 10 holiday shoppers are influenced by the internet before making a purchase (with search engines being the most impactful).

Pretty significant, right? Essentially, 80% of shoppers are influenced by online information before buying. This usually begins with a keyword search on platforms like Google or Bing. Honestly, this statistic wasn’t surprising. Almost every purchase I make, both online and offline, starts with a Google search or website visit. Google also noted a 13% rise in this trend since 2015.

#2: 76% of mobile shoppers switch their preferred retailer/brand after conducting an online search.

With smartphones practically glued to our hands, researching products on-the-go is easier than ever. If you haven’t checked product reviews before buying something, you’re an anomaly! I’ve often found myself in Target aisles, meticulously reading reviews before committing to a purchase. Shoppers can easily change their minds if they find a better deal or product while browsing on their phones. Google’s findings support this, with 76% of shoppers switching brands after online research. The takeaway: Target relevant keywords, and outshine competitors with more enticing ads and better offers to convert their leads into your customers. RELATED: 8 Critical PPC Pitfalls to Avoid During the Holidays

#3: 64% of smartphone shoppers utilize mobile search before visiting a store.

This further underscores the significance of mobile search during the holidays and its close link to in-store purchases. Whether confirming sale items or finding new stores, smartphone shoppers are doing their research before heading out. This highlights the importance of a strong online presence that’s easily discoverable, especially during this peak season.

#4: 68% of shoppers rely on YouTube on their smartphones to decide what to buy.

This one caught me off guard! While video is undeniably crucial for modern marketers, who knew YouTube was such a popular shopping tool? It makes sense considering that videos are more digestible than text. For example, if you’re deciding between a MacBook and a Dell, would you rather read a lengthy comparison or watch a concise two-minute review? Marketers, remember your YouTube presence and, more importantly, a robust mobile video strategy for the holidays.

#5: In Q4 of 2016, over half of shopping-related searches were conducted on mobile devices.

Clearly, neglecting your mobile search strategy this holiday season is not an option! With over half of shopping-related searches happening on mobile devices in Q4 2016, this year is likely to witness even higher numbers. Our phone addiction is evident, and businesses need to be present to capture these on-the-go shoppers and engage them effectively. Ensure your ads are mobile-ready with ad extensions (like call and location extensions), mobile-responsive websites and landing pages, and clear, succinct ad copy for smaller screens.

#6: During the holidays, bid prices can skyrocket by up to 140% above their annual average!

Ouch! A 140% increase in bid prices might sound alarming, but unfortunately, increased shopping activity means more competition and consequently, higher prices. This isn’t shocking, but it emphasizes the need to adjust your budget and bids during this period, especially for popular seasonal products, to stay competitive. Don’t let an inadequate budget hinder your holiday success.

#7: One-third of shoppers admit that promotions influenced their holiday weekend purchases.

Why offer sales during peak shopping times like the holidays? While running promotions or discounts during a busy season might seem counterintuitive, it can significantly boost sales in the long run by increasing the likelihood of more leads clicking and converting on your ads. If someone is comparing products, they’re more likely to choose yours if it’s 25% off. While running major promotions on all products might not be feasible, leverage the ones you do offer by highlighting them in your ad copy. Use ad extensions, visual display ads, and discount-focused language in your copy, and watch your sales soar!

#8: For every second of delay in mobile page load time, conversions can plummet by as much as 20%.

By now, you understand the critical role of mobile in holiday marketing success. However, neglecting the fundamentals of mobile performance while perfecting your mobile ad strategy can severely impact your holiday sales. This statistic illustrates how ignoring mobile page load times can result in a 20% drop in conversions! If your mobile landing pages are lagging in load times, prioritize fixing that before refining your ad strategy; it’s vital for achieving mobile holiday sales success.

#9: Retail ecommerce sales are projected to surge by 15.8% during the 2017 holiday season.

This is for all the ecommerce businesses out there. The days of battling mall crowds to become Santa Claus are fading. Why bother when you can shop from the comfort of your home? Although many still prefer in-store shopping, ecommerce holiday shopping continues its rapid ascent. This demonstrates the immense potential for advertising success during this season. Implement holiday advertising campaigns across search and display networks, utilize remarketing, leverage social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and ensure you maximize this opportunity to rake in holiday sales.

#10: Mcommerce sales are expected to jump by 35% during the 2017 holiday season.

Once again, mobile takes center stage this holiday season. Ecommerce businesses need to ensure their mobile strategies are top-notch as more consumers embrace mobile shopping. Google predicts that mobile ecommerce (or mcommerce) will dominate in 2017 with a staggering 35% increase in sales! Though we’re down to the wire with just a few weeks left of holiday frenzy, it’s not too late to capitalize on the potential sales surge. Seize this time and craft impactful holiday marketing campaigns. Looking for more marketing insights? Explore these 11 Genuinely Alarming PPC Statistics Every Advertiser Should Know!