This post was contributed to Leisure Freak by Lucy Reed, creator of the site Gig Mine to help like-minded business people take advantage of the growing sharing economy.

If you plan for the holiday season well and make your goods more appealing to customers, the holidays can be a time when business picks up significantly. But doing so well requires a combination of tactics that catch the eyes of customers who are eager for items to gift their loved ones. 

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Decorate Your Storefront

A holiday-ready storefront communicates to passersby that you’ve adapted your business to this specific time of year. That encourages them to walk in since they can be reasonably sure that you’ve stocked items they’re looking to buy. 

Find the balance between having an attention-grabbing storefront without making it too distracting, especially if your store is positioned near a busy road. Options here include multicolored lights, digital signage, and large props. 

Prepare for a Spike in Footfall

The increase in foot traffic that accompanies the holiday season can be difficult to manage, leading to a diminished in-store experience. Passersby who see the store looking crowded and chaotic may also be put off. 

There are a few things you can do to ensure a smooth experience for customers, even as people flood in:

• Allocate more space to isles with in-demand items
• Open more checkout points to reduce long lines
• Place staff strategically throughout the store to help customers reach purchasing decisions faster

See if You Need to Hire Seasonal Staff

If you’re anticipating a particularly busy holiday season, check if your current staff has the bandwidth to handle all that activity without support. You might find that they don’t, meaning you’ll need to hire temporary seasonal staff. 

The most crucial step is developing a comprehensive training plan for them, which helps meet the standards your business has set as they serve customers.  

Create Unique Promotions 

While most businesses reserve their best deals for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, you can stand out by giving unmissable offers on an additional, less crowded day. For even better performance, Zenbusiness.com recommends targeting your promotional campaigns at last-minute holiday shoppers scrambling to find gifts. 

These shoppers may be especially drawn to a gift guide or catalog that makes it much easier for them to decide what to buy while showcasing your wares. Remember to spread the word about your promotions on social media so you can generate buzz. Also, keep business hours updated online to give customers an accurate idea of when they can pop in. 

Make Your Online Touchpoints More Robust

If too many people land on your website at the same time looking for a good deal, it can end up crashing. Check that your server can handle an influx of visitors, and hire professional help if needed. The same applies to social media, where you may need more people managing your accounts to answer queries from potential customers. 

Preparing for the Holiday Season Can Help Your Business Deliver Gangbuster Sales

The holiday often makes up the most successful period for businesses, and following the steps above can make that the case for you too. Check out Leisure Freak for more ways of growing your business, with a special focus on making it a ticket to early retirement. 

Thank you Lucy for contributing this post to Leisure Freak and sharing these holiday preparation small business tips. Tips that can be adjusted and used throughout the year during every holiday period to increase opportunity. 

Author Bio: Lucy Reed created Gig Mine to help others dig up sharing economy opportunities in a user’s area, all in a single location, so users don’t have to jump between multiple sites. It’s the new and improved way to get a gig job!