Holidays - what to do with site?

[kathynewman]

We're planning a short holiday in few months time and not really sure what to do about the site - in the past have only gone away for one day either side of a bank holiday weekend - and just put notice saying closed for couple of days orders will be processed on return etc.

This time we're going to be away from Wednesday morning till following Thursday night - however there is a bank holiday monday in there too.

Planning to take laptop with us so can answer urgent emails but obviously nothing would be sent out. Not sure whether to put note up saying we're closed or just leave it and deal with stuff on return (little hesitant about that as with always on internet people want stuff yesterday!)

So what do you do when you go away?

Kathy

[Duncan Rounding]

I wouldn't close the store I'd just put a temporary note up on the site saying the delivery times will be one week or 10 days say. You can still respond with emails to customers. Rather a very small number of slightly unhappy customers than non at all.

[fleetwood]

Whats a 'holiday'?

[pinbrook]

I've seen loads of sites with holiday messages, if you can't get anyone to process your orders whilst you are away I agree with Duncan, a simple message about delays to orders is the best solution (ie least long term impact to the business).

Add the message to confirmation of order emails too

[Jan]

It might be worth putting a note saying that the next dispatch date is xxx in the email that gets sent out, that way if anyone needs something urgently they will know to cancel the order.

Regards,

[leehack]

1 - 4 weeks from the date i am going on holiday, i would put a visible notice on the home page stating the fact that the store will be closing for a week from such and such dates. Change the colour of the notice after 2 weeks and again after 3 weeks.

2 - Then close down the store, put an auto-responder on for emails that say to ring this number and leave a message if emergency, otherwise we will be back open on ..... Mention that you will periodically dial in and pick up any messages as and when you can and respond accordingly.

3 - Go have some fun and forget about it all. You'll come back refreshed, revitalised and full of fresh ideas. Holidays are to break the cycle, so enjoy it while you can - after all if you can't have some fun time, then you may as well just work for somebody and get paid to go on hols.

[RuralWeb]

Simple message explaining that deliveries will be within 14 days put up before you go and changed when you get back.

[wjcampbe]

I certainly would not close the site. Put up a message to say no goods will be shipped during the period xxx to xxx (I would allow at least one day before the holiday starts for last minute preparation, and probably the same at the end to let you recover). Use the all pages Marketing Message to make sure everyone sees the message.

Let the orders build up while you are away, and enjoy the feeling that while you lie on thew beach, you are still earning money

[kathynewman]

Whats a 'holiday'?

Will let you know when I've had one!

Kathy

[kathynewman]

Thanks everyone - hadn't really concidered really closing the site - so I'll just put up a message - saying no orders will be despatched till x date - think might also add it's due to backlog of orders rather than saying away or not giving any explination.

Now that's sorted - what about the answer machine!

Kathy

[kathynewman]

Let the orders build up while you are away, and enjoy the feeling that while you lie on thew beach, you are still earning money

Not quite that sort of hoiday! 12hr drive to visit friends with 2 small and very very manic boys (not used to children) in the far north of scotland so not going to be very restful I'm afraid - but do get 2 days on west coast on our own before another 12 hour drive back still they say a change is as good as a rest!!!

Kathy

[chris ashdown]

Is there nobody or relative who could man the site for a couple of hours a day whilst you are away

The operation of actinic in receiving orders is not rocket science and a written idiots guide can work wonders

You also say you have a laptop to keep on top of things so you could do a download once every morning a ring up someone with your stock room keys and tell them what to send out

[Mike Hughes]

I put up a message giving the dates and saying that we're closed for staff holidays and orders placed will be dispatched on our return. This appears on the top of all the pages of the website (including the cart and chackout) so can't be missed.

Orders tend to be down about 50% during the period, but come back quickly afterwards and I'd rather be honest with customers upfront than come back to loads of irate emails and voice messages along the lines of "I ordered such and such using Special Delivery and it hasn't arrived yet!" (which did happen the one time I didn't advise people what was happening).

Mike

[Darren B]

I would never announce your shop is closed for a holiday - Burgular i wonder if anyone is in?

I alwyas use the phase "Due to Moving our warehouse to large premises orders will be delayed by up to X days" Or Stock take or expansion e.t.c

Seems to work OK - Also make sure you add it to your terms and conditions as the customer has to agree to these before they check out.

Darren

[Mike Hughes]

Burgular i wonder if anyone is in?

Ah yes, this would be those nice burglars who come in during the daytime, rather than wait until night when no-one is there.

Mike