Staying Connected: Keep Your Business Running Over the Holidays
Christmas is a time of joy, celebration, and rest, but it can also bring challenges for businesses and organisations. Many customers still need access to services, information, or support during this time, and staying open and accessible can help your organisation maintain trust, meet customer expectations, and even boost revenue.
Here’s how your organisation can stay accessible and operational over the holidays while balancing the festive spirit with efficiency.
1. Update Your Business Hours Everywhere
One of the simplest ways to stay accessible is to ensure your customers know when you’re open. Update your holiday hours on key platforms, including:
- Your Website: Add a notice on your homepage or contact page detailing your holiday hours.
- Google Business Profile: Ensure your holiday hours are updated to avoid confusion.
- Social Media: Post your schedule on your social channels and pin it to the top of your profile for easy visibility.
Clear communication about your availability prevents frustration for your customers and ensures they know when and how to reach you.
2. Offer Online Access to Key Services
If your organisation can’t remain physically open during the holidays, consider providing online access to essential services or information, for example:
- E-commerce Stores: Ensure your website is optimised for online shopping, with clear delivery timelines and holiday offers.
- Customer Support: Provide chatbots or online FAQ pages to handle common queries.
- Digital Resources: Make important documents, forms, or guides easily accessible on your website.
- Video tutorials: Step-by-step guides for using your products or services.
- Downloadable resources: Like user manuals, guides, or forms
By offering digital alternatives, you can maintain a connection with your audience even when your physical location is closed.
3. Communicate Proactively with Customers
Good communication is critical during the holiday season. Use multiple channels to inform your audience about changes to your availability, services, or deadlines, for example:
- Send out an email newsletter with holiday updates and key contact information.
- Use SMS or push notifications for urgent announcements.
- Post regular updates on social media to keep your followers informed.
Proactive communication builds trust and ensures your customers feel supported, even during the busiest time of the year.
4. Provide Automated or Limited Support
If your team is on reduced hours or away during the holidays, set up systems to provide automated or limited support, for example:
- Auto-Responders: Set up email auto-responders with answers to frequently asked questions and details about when customers can expect a response.
- Chatbots: Use AI-powered chatbots on your website to assist with common inquiries.
- Call Forwarding or Voicemail: Redirect calls to team members on duty or provide voicemail with information about response times.
These tools ensure your customers receive some level of service, even when your team isn’t fully available.
5. Highlight Emergency Contact Information
For businesses or organisations providing critical services, it’s essential to make emergency contact details easy to find.
- Display emergency numbers or email addresses prominently on your website and social media profiles.
- Specify the situations where customers should use these contacts to avoid unnecessary calls.
- Assign on-call staff to respond to emergencies if necessary.
This ensures that urgent matters are addressed quickly, maintaining customer trust.
6. Promote Gift Cards and Vouchers
If your business involves retail or services, offering gift cards or vouchers is an excellent way to stay “open” for customers over the holidays. Customers can purchase these gifts online, providing them with a convenient solution and boosting their revenue.
Tips for promoting gift cards:
- Highlight them on your homepage and product pages.
- Offer digital delivery options for last-minute shoppers.
- Run promotions, such as bonus credits with gift card purchases.
Gift cards are a win-win: they make holiday shopping easier for your customers while generating future sales for your business.
7. Plan for Social Media Engagement
Social media is a vital tool for staying accessible over the holidays. Schedule posts in advance to keep your audience engaged, even if your team is offline.
Ideas for holiday social media content:
- Share holiday greetings or behind-the-scenes festive photos of your team.
- Run contests or giveaways to boost engagement.
- Use social media stories to remind customers of key services or deadlines.
Social media allows you to maintain visibility and interact with customers, even during quieter periods.
8. Reflect the Holiday Spirit
Lastly, staying accessible over the holidays isn’t just about logistics—it’s also about creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Show your festive side with holiday-themed email templates, website banners, or social media posts. Customers will appreciate your thoughtfulness and effort to spread holiday cheer.
Conclusion
The holiday season is a critical time for many organisations, but staying accessible doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By updating your hours, providing digital services, using automation, and communicating proactively, you can maintain excellent customer service while embracing the festive season.
With the right strategies, you’ll not only keep your organisation running smoothly but also build lasting relationships with your customers.
Need help preparing your website or online presence for the holidays? Contact us today to ensure your business is ready to thrive this season!