Whether it’s summer vacations, year-end festivities, or any other holiday season, planning ahead is always essential. For businesses, that means more than just internal preparation—it means keeping customers informed about any changes to your operating hours, closures, or service delays.

Your customers rely on you for clear and timely communication. They want to know when they can reach you, what to do if your availability changes, and who to contact in an emergency. Surprises aren’t welcome when it comes to accessing services!

Instead of relying on traditional methods like printing a notice to tape to your entrance—or, worse, jotting one down with a black Sharpie—consider using digital tools to communicate. In today’s connected world, it’s important to reach customers where they already are: online, on their phones, and across multiple digital channels.

Not sure how to start? We’ve got you covered with five actionable tips to improve communication with your customers.

Check out these eight customer contact channels to grow your business. 

5 Ways to Improve Communication with Customers

1. Interact with Customers via Email

Email is a tried-and-true method for sharing important updates. Notify your customers about upcoming closures, reduced hours, or expected delays. Set expectations by letting them know how long to wait for a response and when to follow up if they don’t hear back. Include contact details for emergencies to reassure them that you’ve planned for their needs.

2. Keep Your Website Updated

Your website is one of the first places customers look for information. Always update it when your hours change or if you’ll be closed for a holiday. Be thorough—check every mention of hours across the site to avoid conflicting information. This ensures consistency and builds trust with your audience.

Pro tip: Customers appreciate clear communication, so be as detailed as possible about when changes take effect and what to expect outside regular hours.

3. Send Your Customers a Text

Text messaging is a fast and efficient way to reach your customers directly. Use your business phone number to send updates about changes to hours or delays in service. With the right tools, you can send templated messages in bulk, ensuring that everyone stays informed with just one click.

Learn more about our texting platform, Bubble by Broadvoice.  

4. Post on Your Social Media

If your customers frequently engage with you on social media, use these platforms to share updates. Add new hours or closures to your About section on Facebook, Yelp, or LinkedIn, and create engaging posts to highlight the changes.

Pro tip: Pin your post so it’s visible at the top of your feed, making it easy for customers to find the information they need while it applies.

5.Change Your Auto Attendant Greeting

When customers call your business, they’re often looking for immediate assistance. Avoid frustration by updating your auto attendant with clear details about closures, new hours, or reduced staffing. Let callers know when you’ll reopen, how to get help during the downtime, and what to expect regarding response times.

Prepare Today for Better Communication Year-Round

No matter the time of year, communicating holiday hours effectively is key to building trust with your customers. By using these strategies, you can ensure your updates reach them wherever they are—email, text, social media, or phone. Ready to enhance your customer experience? Start implementing these tips today and keep your customers informed, engaged, and satisfied.

The b-hive UCaaS platform has the tools you need to improve communication with your customers. Chat with one of our consultants to learn more.