Holiday Tech Etiquette for Small Businesses: Avoid These Holiday Tech Mistakes That Ruin Customer Experiences
- Victor Parrish
- 10 hours ago
- 3 min read
The 10-Second Overview: Holiday schedules, overloaded inboxes, and rushed customers create the perfect storm for avoidable tech-related frustrations. This guide shows small businesses how to prevent holiday-season mishaps by updating online hours, preparing friendly auto-replies, securing their communications, and keeping customer expectations crystal clear. A few quick updates can protect your reputation and keep customers happy during the busiest time of year.
1. Update Your Online Hours Everywhere Customers Look
Nothing frustrates customers faster than inaccurate holiday hours. If Google says you’re open, but your doors are locked, that customer may not come back.
Update your hours on:
Your Google Business Profile (highest priority)
Facebook, Instagram, and Yelp
Your website banner or homepage
Apple Maps (yes—your customers use it)
Why this matters: According to Google, over 60% of shoppers use online listings to confirm holiday hours. If your hours are wrong, trust drops instantly.
This link will offer some guidance on how to update your holiday hours on your Google listing: https://support.google.com/business/answer/6303076
2. Write Friendly, Human Out-of-Office Replies
Customers want clarity—not corporate coldness. A good out-of-office message is polite, warm, and direct.
Example out-of-office message: “Thanks for reaching out! Our office is closed for Thanksgiving from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. We’ll respond as soon as we’re back and caffeinated. If this is urgent, call our support team at (855) 933-6488. Wishing you a wonderful holiday!”
3. Don’t Overshare (and Protect Your Security)
Your out-of-office message should never read like a vacation itinerary.
Avoid including:
Your travel details
Where your staff is going
Who’s out of town and for how long
Cybercriminals monitor this information. The FBI warns that oversharing schedules publicly increases fraud and impersonation risks. (https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2023_IC3Report.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
4. Test Your Phone and Voicemail Systems (Before the Chaos Begins)
Holiday callers are rushed and easily stressed. Outdated voicemail greetings are one of the most common customer complaints.
Do this before the holiday rush:
Call your own business number.
Confirm the greeting matches your posted hours.
Ensure voicemail is not full.
Check any call-routing menus.
Sample voicemail:“You’ve reached [Business Name]. Our office is currently closed for the holiday weekend. Please leave a message, and we’ll return your call Monday morning. If this is urgent, press 1 to reach our on-call team.”
5. Clearly Communicate Shipping or Service Deadlines
If your business handles shipping, deliveries, or time-sensitive services, post holiday cut-off dates early and everywhere.
That includes:
Website banner
Social media
Email reminders
POS signage (if applicable)
Missing delivery expectations damages trust far more than a delayed shipment.
ShipStation offers some great guidance on shipping deadlines for UPS, FedEx, and the U.S. Postal Service. You can find that information here: https://www.shipstation.com/blog/holiday-shipping-deadlines/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
⭐ Here are some additional references and resources to assist you through the holiday season.
The We Do IT USA Helpdesk page: https://helpdesk.wedoitusa.com/support/login
Need to schedule a call with us to discuss specific needs? Click here: https://www.wedoitusa.com/call
How to set special hours on Google Business Profile (Map Labs) https://maplabs.com/special-hours-on-google-business-profile/
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) – FBI
The Bottom Line: Good Tech Etiquette = Good Customer Experience
Holiday tech etiquette isn’t complicated—it’s about being thoughtful, proactive, and clear.
By setting expectations and communicating like a human, you make people feel taken care of during one of the most stressful times of the year.
Want help making sure your systems stay polished and professional—not just during the holidays, but year-round? Our team can help you tighten up communication, automate key processes, and streamline customer experiences.
👉Schedule a free IT discovery call with We Do IT USA: https://www.wedoitusa.com/call
⭐ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
FAQ 1 — Why do holiday hours matter for small businesses?
Because most customers check Google before calling or visiting. Incorrect hours cause frustration, lost sales, and negative impressions—especially during time-crunched holiday schedules.
FAQ 2 — What information should I avoid sharing in an out-of-office message?
Avoid sharing travel plans, staff schedules, or details that indicate your office is physically empty. Oversharing creates avoidable security risks and can expose your business to social engineering scams.
FAQ 3 — What’s the easiest way to avoid holiday customer frustration?
Update your online hours, check your voicemail, write a warm auto-reply, and communicate shipping or service deadlines early. These small steps dramatically improve customer satisfaction.
About the Author
Victor Parrish has spent more than three decades helping business owners apply the right technology to improve security, efficiency, and day-to-day operations. As part of the team at We Do IT USA, he partners with small businesses to deliver straightforward, practical guidance on staying secure and productive in an ever-changing digital world.