The holiday season is a time filled with opportunities for small businesses. Investopedia notes that this is the time of year when people are more likely to spend money on gifts and other items, so you must make sure that your small business is prepared to take advantage of this increased foot traffic and spending. There are a few key things you can do to get your small business ready for the holidays, which we'll explore in more detail below courtesy of this guide from the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

Giving Your Storefront Some Holiday Cheer

LiveAbout points out that one of the best ways to attract holiday shoppers is to decorate your storefront in a festive way. This will show potential customers that you're open for business and ready to serve their holiday needs. You don't need to go overboard with your decorations—a few well-placed holiday lights or a festive sign should do the trick.

Hiring Extra Staff for the Season

With increased customer foot traffic, you may need to hire some additional seasonal staff to help handle the volume. This extra staff will ensure that your customers have a positive experience and are able to find what they're looking for in a timely manner. Make sure to start your hiring process early so that you have enough time to train your new employees before the holiday rush begins.

Revamping Your Marketing Approach for the Holidays

Your marketing approach should also be revamped for the holidays. This means creating holiday-themed ads and creative social media posts, as well as running special promotions and sales. You can also take advantage of holiday-specific search terms (like "Christmas gifts" or "Hanukkah presents") to make sure that your small business comes up in relevant online searches. By taking these steps, you'll ensure that your small business is at the forefront of people's minds when they're looking to do their holiday shopping.

Affordably Creating a PDF Gift Guide

One way to attract holiday shoppers is by creating a gift guide featuring items that are available at your small business. This guide can be created affordably by using a free PDF editor tool. With this software, you can easily create a professional-looking gift guide that can be distributed online or in print form. Including a mix of both high-end and budget-friendly items will ensure that there's something for everyone on your list. And by featuring items that are available at your small business, you'll increase the chances that people will come to you when they're ready to do their holiday shopping.

Giving Back

Another great way to prepare for the holidays is by giving back to the local community. This can be done in a number of ways, such as donating items to a local charity or helping out with a food drive. Not only will this make you feel good, but it will also help raise awareness about your small business and attract potential customers who are looking for businesses that give back during the holidays.

Grabbing Those Last-Minute Shoppers

Last but not least, it's important to remember that there will always be last-minute shoppers during the holidays. To attract these customers, make sure that your store is well-stocked with popular items and that you offer convenient shipping options (like express shipping or in-store pickup). You should also extend your hours leading up to Christmas so that last-minute shoppers can still get their hands on what they need without having to wait until after the holidays are over. By taking these steps, you'll ensure that even the procrastinators among us can still do their holiday shopping at your small business.

There may be no more important time for small businesses than the holidays, so it's crucial to make sure that you're prepared for the increased foot traffic and spending this time of year brings. By decorating your storefront, hiring additional seasonal staff, updating your marketing approach, creating a gift guide, giving back to the local community, and attracting last-minute shoppers, you'll be well on your way to having a successful holiday season!

Membership in the Greater Franklin County Chamber of Commerce offers invaluable benefits to entrepreneurs in our community. Join us today!