November 24, 2025
Holidays are hectic enough without technology adding to the chaos. With customers racing to complete last-minute tasks, employees balancing family obligations, and everyone's stress levels soaring, the last thing you want is to let technical glitches spoil the experience.
Consider this your essential Holiday Technology Etiquette Guide—because no business wants to be remembered as the one that disrupted someone's busy day.
1. Update Your Online Business Hours Before Confusing Customers
Imagine a customer dashing across town during their lunch, trusting Google's info, only to find your doors closed and lights off. You just created a frustrated customer moment.
Make sure to update:
- Your Google Business Profile—the most visible source
- Your Facebook, Instagram, Yelp pages and any platform where customers look for you
- A prominent holiday hours notice on your website banner
- Apple Maps, since users still rely on it for directions
Example update: "Happy Holidays! Our office will be closed from Thursday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Dec. 1 to celebrate with our families. We'll reopen Monday morning—likely a bit turkey-hungover but eager to assist you!"
2. Craft Warm, Human Out-of-Office Replies
When you're away, don't leave customers guessing or feeling ignored. A well-crafted auto-reply serves as a friendly greeting—professional yet personable.
Sample auto-response: "Thank you for contacting us! Our office is closed for Thanksgiving from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1. We'll reply as soon as we're back and fueled with caffeine. For urgent matters, please call (XXX) XXX-XXXX. Warm wishes for a joyful holiday season!"
3. Keep Out-of-Office Messages Clear and Concise
Stick to the essentials. Customers don't need to hear your full holiday itinerary or team member travel plans. Oversharing can even pose security risks. Focus on dates, expected reply times, and alternate contacts, saving personal stories for social media.
4. Verify Your Phone System Ahead of Time
Holiday callers are often hurried and stressed. Ensure your voicemail greeting matches your current hours to prevent confusion and frustration.
Pro tip: Call your business line yourself. Many companies neglect to update greetings, sometimes using messages from years ago.
Example 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 on Monday morning. For urgent matters, press 1 to reach our on-call team. Happy Holidays, and thank you for your patience!"
5. Clearly Communicate Shipping and Delivery Deadlines
If your business ships orders, prominently share order-by dates online and via email reminders to manage customer expectations.
Missed delivery promises can sour relationships. Make it easy for customers to plan ahead and avoid late surprises.
Final Thoughts: Great Tech Etiquette Builds Customer Loyalty
Holiday tech etiquette isn't complicated; it's about setting clear expectations, communicating genuinely, and respecting your customers' time. A few simple updates can prevent headaches and keep your brand reputation shining bright.
Remember, the aim isn't just to avoid complaints—it's to make customers feel valued, even when you're out of the office.
Need help ensuring your systems and customer experience stay flawless this holiday season? Give us a call at 952-941-7333 or click here to schedule your free Consult, and let's talk about simple ways to keep everything running smoothly while you enjoy some well-deserved time off.
