The holiday season in Houston is busy enough, between last-minute errands, I-10 traffic, and families juggling school breaks. The last thing your small business needs is a preventable tech issue that frustrates customers or slows down operations. Think of this as your “Holiday Tech Etiquette Guide,” designed to help Houston SMBs stay organized, approachable, and customer-friendly during the busiest time of the year.
- Update Your Online Hours (Before Someone Shows Up to a Locked Door)
Nothing ruins a customer’s day faster than driving across town, maybe even through Memorial Drive lunch traffic, only to find you’re actually closed.
Avoid the bad reviews and annoyed phone calls by updating your holiday hours everywhere customers might look.
Where to update:
- Update your Google Business Profile
- Update Facebook, Instagram, and Yelp
- Add a holiday hours banner to your website
- Update Apple Maps listings
Sample update:
“Happy Holidays! We’ll be closed Nov. 27 Dec. 1 to spend time with family. We’ll reopen Monday morning, hopefully a little over-caffeinated and ready to help!”
- Use Helpful, Friendly Out-of-Office Replies
If your team is taking time off, don’t leave customers guessing whether their message disappeared into the holiday void. A simple, warm auto-reply reassures people that they’ve reached the right place, and that you’ll get back to them soon.
Sample OOO message:
“Thanks for reaching out! Our office is closed for Thanksgiving from Nov. 27 to Dec. 1. We’ll respond as soon as we return. For urgent requests, call us at (XXX) XXX-XXXX. Wishing you a wonderful holiday!”
- Skip the Personal Travel Details (Seriously, Oversharing Helps No One)
Customers don’t need to know that you’re flying to Denver, your office manager is heading to Cancún, or your accountant is doing a four-stop potluck tour.
Beyond being unnecessary, too much information can introduce security risks. Keep your OOO messages clean and professional: dates, response expectations, and the main office number, nothing more.
- Check Your Phone System Before the Holiday Rush
Houstonians are often on the move, especially during the holidays. When they call your business, make sure they aren’t met with outdated voicemail greetings or confusing phone trees.
Pro tip: Call your own business number.
You’d be surprised how many companies still have voicemail messages from 2019.
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. For urgent needs, press 1 to reach our on-call team. Happy Holidays!”
- Share Shipping & Service Deadlines Early (Before the Panic Begins)
If your business ships products, schedules services, or manages deliveries anywhere in the Houston area, communicate your order cut-off dates clearly and early. Missed expectations, not delays, are what frustrate customers the most. A simple announcement can prevent a lot of holiday stress.
Post deadlines:
- On your website
- On social media
- In outgoing emails
- Inside your store, if you have one
Bottom Line: Good Tech Etiquette Helps You Deliver Great Customer Experience
Holiday tech etiquette is simple: set clear expectations, communicate proactively, and respect your customers’ time. A few thoughtful updates now can prevent headaches later and keep your business reputation strong throughout the season.
And when customers feel cared for, even when your office is closed, they’re more likely to stay loyal long after the holidays end.
If you want to keep your systems, customer communications, and overall experience running smoothly this season, we’re here to help.
