How to Set Up an Online Store for Your FEC: 3 Key Steps

Are you a FEC owner or operator looking to set up an online store? 

In the following article, we’ll go over the 3 key steps to consider when setting up an online store for your family entertainment center.

We'll also provide a few bonus tips on how to drive traffic and grow revenue!

How to Set Up an Online Store for Your FEC: 3 Key Steps

Let's jump in.

1. Products & Services

When deciding on what products or services to sell via your online store, it’s important to take a look at your current party packages and determine what add-ons or party package elements can also be repurposed as products for your online store. 

For example, if trampoline socks are a party package add-on, you can also make them available as a single purchase via your online store. 

Here are a few examples of items you can add: 

• Admission tickets to your facility, virtual events, or special themed events
• Branded merchandise (such as t-shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, etc.)
• Goodie bags
• Gift certificates
• Player cards
• Day, week, or month passes
• Combo deals (If you have a restaurant in your facility, you can offer an Entree + Players Card Combo on your online store for a discounted price)
• Items like toys or games from your redemption center

It’s also important to consider what your target demographic is really interested in purchasing and how you can promote these products throughout the year. 

You’ll definitely want to offer different products based on seasonal changes or upcoming holidays. Think of offering tickets to “Meet with Santa” or a tree ornament craft kit around the holidays. The opportunities are endless!

Here are some product options you may want to consider adding to your online store throughout the year:

Q1 (January-March)

• Winter play passes
• Tickets to craft or food fair
  • Goodie bag with treats from local restaurants, food trucks, and/or vendors
• Tickets to Valentine’s Day party
• Valentine’s craft kit
• Valentine’s Gift Package (If you have a restaurant, you can offer a play pass, dinner for two, and V-Day souvenir from your redemption center)
• Tickets to St. Patrick Day Party
• Tickets to Super Bowl Party
• Tickets to a March Madness Party

• Tickets to an Easter Egg Hunt
  • Easter Egg activity book or goodie bag
• Tickets to Annual Block Party
  • Offer a goodie bag with treats or swag from local businesses
• Tickets to Outdoor Movie Series
  • Add a combo: popcorn, candy, and a drink
  • Branded picnic blanket or chair rental

Q3 (July-September)

• Tickets to a Fourth of July Party
  • Goodie bag with glow-in-the-dark sticks and other Fourth of July-themed items
• Summer play passes
• Tickets to Summer Camp

Q4 (October-December)

• Tickets to a Halloween Costume Party
  • Halloween mask craft kit
• Tickets to a Thanksgiving Party
  • Thanksgiving-themed activity kit
• Holiday-themed merchandise with your facility’s branding
• Tickets to “Meet with Santa"
  • “Photo with Santa” Package that includes a USB thumb drive of digital photos and physical photo prints (bonus if it has your logo on it!) Special note: we have watched customers make $16,000 selling tickets for this type of event online!
• Discounted Gift Certificates 
• Party Packages Gift (allowing customers to purchase a party package for someone else as a gift!)
• Tickets to a New Year's Eve party (one for kids that’s hosted at noon  & one for adults in the evening!)
• 12 Days of Deals Campaign (add a different item at a discount to your online store every day!)

The most important thing to keep in mind is to keep things simple. What’s easy to ship or for customers to pick up? What merch would your customers like and buy? What items would help you grow brand awareness?

Remember: U.S holiday retail e-commerce sales reached $188.2 billion in 2020. There are a lot of opportunities to use your online store to grow your business!

Bonus Tips: 

• Drive traffic to your online store by offering discounts & deals around different holidays. For instance, offer a Veterans day discount to veterans, a Mother’s Day discount to moms, and awesome Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals!
• Add a virtual tip jar to your online store. Customers will be happy to tip to support your business! 
• Can you offer free shipping? Factor shipping costs into the price of your craft kits, merchandise, and more. Studies show that customers are less inclined to make an online purchase if they know they’ll have to pay for shipping! If you’re unable to do this, however, don’t worry. Simply add shipping or postage options to your store or a “pick-up item” option!

2. Details, Details, Details

When setting up your online store, it’s also incredibly important to provide your future customers with all the details they need about the product you’re selling. 

Remember, a picture says a thousand words! Be sure to provide great pictures of the product so customers know exactly what they’re buying. Pictures can also increase the chances of a product being sold. If your pizza looks delicious or your merch looks comfortable, a customer will want to order it ASAP!

Be sure to also include detailed item descriptions under every product. For food items, explain topping options, size, and any other necessary details. For merchandise, you may want to list size options, product fabric type, color options, and more.

3. Update Your Website

Did you know:

• 38% of people will stop engaging with a website if the content/layout is unattractive.
• 39% of people will stop engaging with a website if images won’t load or take too long to load.
• 49% of users say they use Google to discover or find a new item or product.

If your website is poorly designed, slow to load, or customers have a hard time finding information or locating your online store, they will surely click off and go elsewhere.

It’s projected that mobile e-commerce will account for 72.9% of global e-commerce in 2021. So, be sure to prioritize creating a mobile-friendly website!

At PCS, we build and design beautiful websites for our customers. Want to learn more or book a demo? Click here! We'd love to help. 

Setting Up an Online Store with Party Center Software

If you’re looking to set up an online store for the first time, we have your back!

Simply give us a call or click here to request a demo.

Did You Enjoy This Post? Leave a Comment Below!

Leave a comment below if you liked this article. We'd love to hear your thoughts!

Download Utilizing Your Online Store to Sell More Products

As the owner or operator of a family entertainment center, it’s important to consider the changes that have taken place in the last few years. If your facility isn’t able to operate as usual, you’re facing financial hardship, or you’re simply looking to expand your business, an online store can help you grow revenue!

Download Utilizing Your Online Store to Sell More Products eBook today!