How to Inform Visitors When Your Ecommerce Store Is on HolidayTable of ContentsIntroductionWhy Maintenance Mode Is a Bad IdeaBest Practices for Managing Your Ecommerce Store During a HolidayConclusionFAQIntroductionThe world of ecommerce never sleeps. After all, shoppers expect to make purchases at any time that suits them. But what happens when you, the store owner, need a break? Going on holiday doesn't mean your online store has to shut down. Proper communication with your visitors during your absence can help maintain your sales and SEO performance. Let's delve into why you shouldn't set your store to maintenance mode, and what steps you can take to manage visitor expectations effectively while you're away.Why Maintenance Mode Is a Bad IdeaSwitching your ecommerce site to maintenance mode or disabling the checkout during your holiday might seem like a simple solution to avoid customer misunderstandings. However, this practice can have detrimental effects on both sales and search engine optimisation (SEO).Impact on SalesPutting your site in maintenance mode means your customers cannot make any purchases. This decision directly translates to missed sales opportunities. When shoppers find your checkout disabled, they are likely to seek the same product from your competitors, and if they enjoy a good shopping experience elsewhere, they may not return to your store even when you are back. In essence, you risk losing both immediate and future revenue.Impact on SEOSearch engines favour sites with consistent uptime and activity. When your site enters maintenance mode, search engines may interpret this as downtime, negatively influencing your ranking. This drop in ranking can take significant time to recover, leading to long-term traffic and revenue losses.Best Practices for Managing Your Ecommerce Store During a HolidayThe goal here is to keep your site live and customers informed. Here’s how you can effectively manage your ecommerce store while you are on holiday without impacting user experience or your SEO standing.On-Site MessagingClear communication with your customers is essential. Utilize on-site messaging to inform visitors of your holiday period and what to expect regarding order fulfillment.Slideshow Banner or Pop-UpDeploy a slideshow banner or pop-up message that details your holiday dates and order processing timelines. These messages should be prominent and visible to catch the visitor's attention immediately. Header MessageAnother effective strategy is to use a header message that appears on all your site pages. This ensures that no matter where a visitor lands on your site, they are informed about your absence and the corresponding delay in order processing.Delivery Page and Shopping Basket MessagingPlace a conspicuous message on your delivery information page and shopping basket explaining that while purchases can still be made, order dispatch will be delayed until you return. This type of transparency helps manage customer expectations and reduces any frustration from unexpected delays.Keeping the Checkout ActiveDespite being away, it's beneficial to keep your checkout process active. This approach prevents the loss of both new and potential repeat customers.Fulfillment InformationProviding clear fulfillment information within your on-site messages is crucial. Ensure you state that all orders will be processed once you return from your holiday. Customers often appreciate transparent communication and are generally willing to wait for their orders as long as they understand the situation upfront.Understanding Holiday ModeIn some cases, you might feel compelled to disable purchases entirely. While this isn't recommended, if necessary, you can achieve this by adjusting settings in your payment processor integration.Disabling Payment ProcessorsNavigate to your ecommerce platform's payment options. If using a primary payment processor like PayPal, you can switch it off in the settings. Additionally, remember to turn off any secondary payment options such as Klarna or bank transfers.However, it’s worth noting again that completely turning off your checkout should be a last resort. This decision can have a lasting negative impact on your business.ConclusionManaging your ecommerce store during a holiday requires strategic planning and effective communication. Avoid setting your site to maintenance mode to prevent loss of sales and detrimental SEO impacts. Instead, employ on-site messaging tools to keep your customers well informed and allow them to continue making purchases. Clear, honest communication can help maintain customer satisfaction and ensure you have orders waiting for you when you return.By adopting these practices, you not only protect your online business from potential drops in sales and SEO ranking but also build a reliable and transparent relationship with your customers. They will appreciate your openness and be more likely to return for future purchases, making your business more resilient even during your well-deserved breaks.FAQWhat is the best way to inform my customers about my holiday?Using on-site messaging tools like slideshow banners, pop-ups, and header messages are effective ways to inform your customers about your holiday period and order processing delays.Can I disable payments while I’m away?Though it's not recommended, you can disable payments by changing settings within your payment options. However, keep in mind that this could lead to a significant loss in sales and potentially hurt your long-term customer base.Will putting my site in maintenance mode affect my SEO?Yes, putting your site in maintenance mode can negatively impact your SEO. Search engines prefer sites with consistent uptime and activity, and downtime can lead to a drop in your search ranking.How can I manage customer expectations during my holiday?Clearly communicate the holiday period and order processing delays through multiple avenues on your site, such as header messages, delivery page notifications, and shopping basket messages. Transparency helps manage customer expectations and maintains their satisfaction.Should I keep my checkout active while I’m away?Yes, keeping your checkout active is advisable to avoid missing out on sales. Clear messaging about delayed order fulfillment will help manage customer expectations.