There's so much to do to get ready for the holiday rush. But don't worry, we've got you covered. Here's a checklist from the Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce of everything you need to do to make sure your small business is ready for the holiday season.

1. Add Holiday Decorations

One of the first things you need to do to get ready for the holidays is to decorate your storefront. This will help attract customers and get them in the holiday spirit! Put up some festive lights, hang a wreath on the door, and put out a sign that says "Happy Holidays!"

2. Bring on Seasonal Staff

If you don't already have seasonal staff, now is the time to hire them. Seasonal employees can help with everything from decorating your store to handling customer service inquiries. Make sure to post job ads in plenty of time so you can find the best candidates, and be sure to train your new hires thoroughly before they start working.

3. Prepare for Holiday Traffic

It's important to be prepared for the increased customer traffic. Make sure you have enough staff on hand to handle the increased demand, and that everyone is trained on how to handle customer questions and concerns. It's also a good idea to have a plan for how you'll deal with any potential problems that might arise, such as long lines or stock shortages.

4. Make Holiday Marketing Updates

Your marketing should reflect the holiday season, so make sure to update your website, social media accounts, and any other marketing materials you use. Add some holiday-themed images and graphics, and include information about any special promotions or sales you'll be running during the holidays. You can also use this as an opportunity to wish your customers happy holidays and let them know about any changes to your hours or operations over the festive period.

5. Create a Gift Guide

A gift guide is a great way to help your customers find the perfect gifts for their loved ones. You can create a gift guide that includes photos and descriptions of popular items or put together a physical gift guide that customers can pick up in-store. Either way, make sure your gift guide is easy to understand and navigate so customers can find what they're looking for quickly and easily.

6. Use PDFs to Distribute Promotions

PDFs are a great way to create promotional offers that can be easily shared online or printed out and distributed in-store. You can do a PDF to jpge conversion, which is great for making your promos easy to share on social media. You can use PDFs to create coupons, discounts, or other offers that will appeal to holiday shoppers. Make sure your PDFs are well-designed and easy to read so customers will actually take advantage of them.

7. Have Offerings for Last-Minute Shoppers

Some people leave their holiday shopping until the last minute, so it's important to make sure you're attracting these last-minute shoppers as well! One way to do this is by offering express shipping or same-day delivery on orders placed close to the end of December. You can also promote any special deals or sales you're running specifically for last-minute shoppers. And don't forget about gift cards—these are always popular with last-minute shoppers.

8. Find Ways to Support Your Community

Giving back is an important part of the holiday season. There are many ways you can give back as a small business owner, such as donating products or services to charity auctions or giving employees paid time off to volunteer at local food banks or shelters. Whatever way you choose to give back, it's sure to make a positive impact on both your business and your community this holiday season.

The holiday season can be a busy time, especially if you own a small business. With so much to do to get ready for the holiday rush, use this checklist to get your small business ready for the holidays. Follow these tips and you'll be prepared for anything the holiday season throws your way!

Connect with and learn from other local business leaders by joining the Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce.