(Or: How Not to Accidentally Ruin Someone’s Day)

The holidays are stressful enough without technology getting in the way. Customers are racing to finish last-minute errands. Employees are juggling family plans, end-of-year projects, and time off. And as a business owner, you’re trying to hold it all together.

The last thing anyone needs is a preventable tech blunder — like a customer driving across town to find your doors locked when Google says you’re open.

So, consider this your Holiday Tech Manners Guide — simple steps to keep your business running smoothly, your customers happy, and your reputation shining bright through the season.

1. Update Your Online Hours (Before the First Angry Phone Call)

Imagine this: a customer checks Google, sees you’re open, and drives 20 minutes through traffic to stop by — only to find your doors locked and lights off. Congratulations, you’ve just created someone’s villain origin story.

Updating your holiday hours takes just a few minutes and saves everyone a lot of frustration.

Places to update:

• Google Business Profile (the one customers check most often!)
• Facebook, Instagram, and Yelp
• Your website — add a simple banner or pop-up
• Apple Maps and Bing Places — yes, people use them too

Example:

“Happy Holidays! We’ll be closed Thursday, Nov. 28 to Sunday, Dec. 1 to spend time with family. We’ll reopen Monday morning — slightly more full of pie but ready to help!”

Clear communication avoids confusion — and shows customers you value their time.

2. Set Friendly Out-of-Office Replies (That Don’t Sound Like Robots)

If you’re taking time off, don’t leave customers wondering if you vanished into the holiday abyss. A simple, friendly auto-reply lets them know what to expect and how to reach help if needed.

Your goal: sound like a person, not an automated ticket system.

Example:

“Thanks for reaching out! Our office is closed for Thanksgiving from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. We’ll get back to you as soon as we’re back and caffeinated. If it’s urgent, please call our support line at (XXX) XXX-XXXX. Wishing you a wonderful holiday!”

This shows professionalism and personality — two things customers remember.

3. Keep Your Out-of-Office Message Short (No Need for the Itinerary)

Oversharing can be risky — and a little awkward. Customers don’t need to know that you’re visiting Aunt Carol in Denver or that your accountant is doing a “Friendsgiving potluck tour.”

Besides being unnecessary, too many details can actually create security risks. Criminals sometimes use public travel info to target businesses or individuals while they’re away.

Stick to the basics:

• Dates you’re unavailable
• When you’ll return
• An alternate contact (if needed)

Save the travel stories for your personal social media — or the breakroom after you’re back.

4. Test Your Phone Systems (Before They Test Your Patience)

Your voicemail greeting is often a customer’s first impression when you’re closed. If it’s out of date — or worse, still playing a message from 2019 — it can make your business look unprofessional or unresponsive.

Take five minutes and call your own number. Listen to your greeting. Does it match your actual hours? Does it offer the right next step?

Example greeting:

“You’ve reached [Business Name]. We’re closed for the holiday weekend and will reopen Monday morning. Please leave a message, and we’ll return your call as soon as possible. For urgent matters, press 1 to reach our on-call team. Happy Holidays!”

This small update can save your team hours of confusion — and keep customers feeling cared for.

5. Communicate Shipping and Order Deadlines (Before the Panic Sets In)

If your business ships products, holiday deadlines are everything. Delayed packages are disappointing, but missed expectations can permanently damage customer trust.

Make sure your customers know:

• Your “order by” dates for holiday delivery
• Any cutoff times for express shipping or pickup orders
• The best contact method for tracking questions

Post this information everywhere customers might look — your website, order confirmation emails, and social channels.

A few proactive reminders can prevent last-minute panic and unhappy phone calls.

The Bottom Line: Good Tech Etiquette = Happier Customers

Holiday tech etiquette isn’t complicated. It’s about clear communication, empathy, and consistency. When you update your information, reply with warmth, and anticipate customer needs, you show that your business runs smoothly — even when everyone’s running on coffee and candy canes.

Remember, great service doesn’t just mean answering phones or fulfilling orders. It means making people’s lives easier, especially during stressful times.

Keep Your Systems (and Your Team) Holiday-Ready

The holidays are hectic — but your tech doesn’t have to be. A few quick checks and updates now can prevent headaches later.

If you’d like help making sure your systems, phone setup, and online presence are running like clockwork this season, we’re here to help.

👉 Schedule your FREE Discovery Call with Haider Consulting, and we’ll help you tighten up your digital operations before the holiday rush.

Because the best gift you can give your customers this year is a smooth, frustration-free experience.