Winter can be a tough time of year for businesses. That’s why the key to weathering these colder months is to prepare well. Here are a few tips on how to do that.
1. Get your website ready.
For businesses that rely on seasonal traffic, a little preparation now can go a long way toward ensuring a successful winter season. To get your website ready for winter, review all the content. Is there any information that needs to be updated for the winter season?
For example, if you run a ski resort, now is the time to update your prices and package information for the upcoming season. Taking care of these updates will help ensure that your website provides accurate information to potential customers.
Images are another essential part of any website; they can be instrumental in conveying the feel of a business. If you haven’t already, now is the time to start thinking about which images you want to use on your site for the winter months. Do you have any new or winter photos of your property that you want to showcase? Now is also a good time to review your existing images and make sure they’re still relevant and up-to-date.
Finally, take some time to review your website’s performance data from the past winter. This data can help you identify any areas that need improvement as well as potential opportunities for growth this season. Once you have this information, you can start making changes and implementing strategies that will help improve your site’s performance in the winter months.
2. Invest in or rent a heater.
If you have an outdoor space, such as a restaurant with a patio or a coffee shop with an outdoor seating area, you should rent a heater for this winter. This way, you’ll be able to keep your outdoor seating area open year-round and capitalize on customer spending.
After all, a heater will keep your customers comfortable. And when customers are comfortable, they’re more likely to stay longer and spend more money. This is especially true in the winter when people are looking for ways to escape the cold.
Also, a heater will extend the life of your outdoor furniture. If you have expensive outdoor furniture, you’ll want to protect it from the elements as much as possible. A heater will extend the life of your furniture by protecting it from the damaging effects of freezing temperatures and moisture.
In addition, a heater will make your business more visible in the winter months. When people are out and about in the winter, they’re looking for businesses that are open and welcoming. A well-lit and warm location is more likely to catch their eye than a dark, uninviting one. By investing in a quality heater, you can make sure that your business is visible even on the darkest days of winter.
3. Inform your workers of safety tips.
As the temperatures start to dip, it’s important to protect your employees who work outdoors. After all, outdoor workers need to take extra precautions during the winter months to ensure their safety.
To help you keep your team safe this winter, ask them to stay warm in cold weather by dressing in layers. Wearing multiple layers of clothing traps heat between the layers, making it less likely to escape. Remember, when choosing what to wear, make sure to include a base layer made of wool or synthetic fabric (like polyester or nylon), an insulating middle layer, and a waterproof outer layer.
Also, when working in cold weather, it’s important to take breaks every so often to warm up. If possible, advise your employees to go indoors to give themselves a chance to thaw out. If going inside isn’t an option, make sure they take breaks in a sheltered area out of the wind. And, of course, make sure everyone is staying hydrated because dehydration can make you feel colder than you actually are.
Finally, ensure you teach your employees to watch out for signs of hypothermia. Hypothermia is a serious danger when working outdoors in cold weather. Symptoms include shivering, confusion, slurred speech, fatigue, and frostbite. If you or someone on your team starts showing signs of hypothermia, get indoors immediately and call for help.
Winter doesn’t have to be a dreaded time for businesses. In fact, it can actually be an opportunity to stand out from the competition! By following these simple tips, you can set up your outdoor business for success this winter season. So get your website ready, prepare your outdoor space by investing in a heater, inform your workers of safety tips, and most importantly—enjoy the snow!
