2018 holiday sales are predicted to remain strong for small businesses, with a continuing trend toward ecommerce, according to data compiled by SCORE, mentors to America's small businesses. In 2017, holiday sales clustered around Thanksgiving week, with 43% of Americans shopping or dining at independently-owned businesses on Small Business Saturday.

In 2017, Thanksgiving week revenue increased 33% from the previous year. Last year, shoppers spent:

• $6.6 billion on Cyber Monday

• $5 billion on Black Friday

• $2.9 billion on Thanksgiving

• $2.4 billion on Small Business Saturday

• $1.8 billion on the day before Thanksgiving

Consumers gravitated toward online and mobile purchasing during the 2017 holiday shopping season:

• Ecommerce sales increased by 17.8%

• Mobile commerce sales increased by 40%

• Foot traffic in stores fell 7.5%

Top tips for small business owners to best accommodate holiday shoppers include:

• Make sure your mobile site loads quickly. Conversions fall by 20% for every second mobile page load time is delayed.

• Ask for reviews before the season. 96% of shoppers read reviews on retailers' sites, with many consulting more than one website.

• Provide free shipping. 94% of online shoppers use free shipping when available.

• Offer gift cards. Holiday shoppers buy an average of four gift cards, making them the second most-popular gift choice after clothing.