How Handmade Sellers Can Use Personalization to Boost Holiday Sales

Learn actionable website tips inspired by Oreo’s custom shopping experience.

If there’s one thing shoppers love, it’s a personalized experience. Customization doesn’t just make products more appealing—it also builds brand loyalty and drives conversions. Take a cue from Oreo, the iconic cookie brand, which has revamped its website to offer a fun, interactive, and fully personalized shopping experience.

Handmade sellers can adapt these strategies to transform their websites into conversion-driving powerhouses. Whether you’re selling jewelry, home décor, or artisanal gifts, personalized shopping experiences can set your brand apart this holiday season.

Here’s a breakdown of how Oreo uses personalization to boost sales and how you can apply their tactics to your handmade business.

1️⃣ Target the Right Keywords

Oreo’s success starts with SEO. By targeting phrases like “personalized gifts” and “custom cookies,” they’ve positioned themselves perfectly for holiday shoppers searching for unique, meaningful presents.

Actionable Tip for Handmade Sellers:

• Research keywords related to customization in your niche. Tools like Google Keyword Planner or Ubersuggest can help you identify high-volume search terms.

• Add these keywords to your product titles, descriptions, and blog posts. For example, if you sell handmade mugs, consider phrases like “customized coffee mugs” or “personalized gift ideas.”

• Don’t forget seasonal keywords like “holiday gifts” or “stocking stuffers.”

Pro Tip: Write blog posts that incorporate these keywords, such as “Top 10 Personalized Gifts for the

Holidays.” This can attract organic traffic to your shop.

2️⃣ Grow Your Mailing List with Compelling CTAs

Oreo greets site visitors with a pop-up offering 10% off custom cookies in exchange for their email address. This simple tactic helps them grow their mailing list while providing value to customers.

Actionable Tip for Handmade Sellers:

• Add a pop-up to your site offering a discount or free shipping for email sign-ups.

• Use a clear, engaging call-to-action (CTA) like:

  • “Sign up for 15% off your first order!”

  • “Join our list for exclusive deals on handmade gifts.”

• Retarget subscribers later with email campaigns for future launches or holiday promotions.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Klaviyo or Mailchimp to automate your email campaigns and segment your audience based on their interests or purchase history.

3️⃣ Make Your CTA Stand Out

Oreo’s animated, gradient-colored “Customize Now” button grabs attention immediately and sits at the top of their homepage. It’s impossible for shoppers to miss.

Actionable Tip for Handmade Sellers:

• Place your most important CTA—like “Shop Custom Gifts” or “Create Your Personalized Item”—at the top of your homepage.

• Use bold colors or animation to draw attention, but keep the design consistent with your brand’s aesthetic.

• Avoid clutter around your CTA to make it easy to spot.

Pro Tip: Test different CTA designs and placements to see which generates the highest click-through rates. Tools like Google Optimize can help with A/B testing.

4️⃣ Simplify the Customization Process

Oreo’s OreoID customization platform is a one-pager that’s simple, intuitive, and visually engaging. Shoppers can customize their cookies by choosing the filling, sprinkles, and packaging, with real-time visuals of their creation on the screen.

Actionable Tip for Handmade Sellers:

• Make customization options easy to navigate. Use a step-by-step process or a one-pager where customers can:

  • Select colors, materials, or designs.

  • Preview their personalized product in real time.

• Add plenty of visuals to show what the final product will look like. For example, if you offer custom jewelry, show mockups of initials, birthstones, or engravings on your product.

Pro Tip: Use platforms like Shopify or plugins like Product Personalizer to streamline the customization experience on your website.

5️⃣ Gamify the Experience

Once Oreo shoppers finish customizing their cookies and hit the checkout button, they’re rewarded with a confetti animation that creates a celebratory, dopamine-inducing moment.

Actionable Tip for Handmade Sellers:

• Add playful, celebratory elements to your checkout process to make the experience more memorable. Examples include:

  • A congratulatory message like “Your custom gift is on its way!”

  • Small animations like stars, confetti, or gift icons.

• Use these touches to create an emotional connection with your customers, making them more likely to return.

Pro Tip: Add a progress bar during the checkout process to keep customers engaged and reduce cart abandonment.

6️⃣ Promote Giftability

Oreo makes it clear that their custom cookies are perfect for gifting by showcasing gift bags and packaging options for different occasions. Handmade sellers can use similar strategies to highlight the giftability of their products.

Actionable Tip for Handmade Sellers:

• Offer seasonal packaging options (e.g., holiday-themed gift wrap).

• Create bundles or sets for popular gifting categories like “For Her,” “For Him,” or “Under $50.”

• Promote gift cards for last-minute shoppers who might not know exactly what to buy.

Pro Tip: Add a “Gift Ideas” section to your website or create a holiday gift guide to make shopping easier.

Why Personalization Matters

Personalization enhances the customer experience and increases the perceived value of your products. According to a study by Deloitte, 36% of consumers are interested in purchasing personalized products, and businesses offering customization often see a 20-30% increase in revenue.

For handmade sellers, personalization is a natural fit because your products are already unique and crafted with care. Adding customization options makes your shop even more appealing, especially during the holiday season.

Summary: How Handmade Sellers Can Use Personalization

Here’s how you can take a page from Oreo’s playbook to optimize your site for holiday shoppers:

1. Target the Right Keywords: Focus on SEO-friendly terms like “personalized gifts” to attract traffic.

2. Grow Your Mailing List: Use pop-ups with compelling CTAs to build your email list.

3. Make Your CTA Stand Out: Place bold, engaging buttons at the top of your homepage.

4. Simplify Customization: Offer an intuitive, step-by-step process with real-time previews.

5. Gamify the Experience: Add celebratory touches to your checkout process.

6. Promote Giftability: Highlight gifting options like packaging, bundles, and gift cards.

By combining these tactics with your handmade charm, you can create an unforgettable shopping experience that boosts sales, builds brand loyalty, and delights your customers this holiday season.