Whilst certain times of the year can be stressful, busy periods can help small businesses increase sales, build up cash reserves and expand their customer base. Getting prepared is key to ensure they have the right resources in place.  

Here are four ways small businesses can prepare for the busiest times during the year ahead.

Hire seasonal staff

No matter how busy a business may be, the customer will have high expectations when it comes to customer service. From extra pairs of hands to take stock or work the tills, it’s worth hiring extra seasonal employees to ensure standards don’t slip and customers are happy. In order to prepare for extra staff, business owners need to ensure they have the right insurance, prepare payroll and have contracts ready.

When hiring, organisations should also look for prospective employees who have a good level of training and common sense which should reduce the requirement for on the job mentoring and can get stuck in straight away.

Utilise technology to meet demand

Technology plays a vital role in how smoothly a business operates, especially for small businesses during peak times. As you hire extra staff, it's important to ensure employees are supported with the right tools. For example, payment terminals can be hired on short-term contracts, enabling businesses to quickly scale up operations without being caught off guard by a surge in customers.

It’s also worth exploring payment terminals that best suit your needs. Mobile terminals, for example, offer flexibility with multiple connectivity options—3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth—which are crucial for sole traders or businesses operating across various locations. This flexibility ensures consistent service, so customers aren’t let down. Alongside tools like payment terminals, Market Mapping can also be essential. It helps businesses understand their competitive landscape, optimize their product positioning, and make data-driven decisions when scaling up or adjusting operations.

To manage the additional technology requirements effectively—especially for businesses that don’t have a full-time IT team—consulting a fractional cio could be beneficial. A fractional CIO provides part-time, expert IT leadership, helping small businesses implement scalable, secure tech solutions during busy times without the expense of a full-time hire.

By using the right technology solutions, small businesses can not only meet customer demand but also create efficiencies that improve overall operations

Harness social media

Harnessing the power of social media to reach new and existing customers is essential in the run-up to key dates in the year. It’s a great way to stay in contact with regulars, answer any queries and deepen the customer/brand relationship. Social media is also where small businesses are likely to  get the most reviews. According to a Valitor report, in the hospitality industry, nine in ten younger diners are most likely to read online customer reviews of restaurants.

Therefore, good reviews can be invaluable. Small businesses should create a strategy and process for how they use social in the run up to, and during busy periods. Knowing what images and posts entice audiences and can ultimately lead to a sale is a huge help and can then be replicated to further pull in new customers.

Supply and demand and cash flow 

The busy summer season should be a small business’s most profitable time. Therefore it’s key to take advantage of this and provide efficient ways to meet this increased demand. In the run-up to summer, there are plenty of key dates small businesses can use to drive sales. Alternatively, businesses can look to get short term cash advance loans to ensure costs can be covered and healthy cash flows are maintained. While you are at it, make sure your business and personal spendings are aligned properly.

Small businesses that can deliver high standards of service while ensuring customers are happy are the ones that take the initiative and have plans in place. By having enough hands on deck, utilising social media and adopting the right technologies, seasonality can drive success throughout the year.

Christine Bailey is Chief Marketing Officer of Valitor.