The holiday season is a time for celebration, connection, and gratitude. It's also a great opportunity for web designers to connect with their clients on a more personal level, strengthening relationships and leading to more brand visibility and bookings.

While it’s beneficial to remain focused on achieving business goals and setting new ones for the upcoming year, it’s also important to balance client engagement with personal time. During the holidays, you should take ample time to relax and recharge and come back to work in the new year feeling refreshed and motivated. Sometimes, that’s easier said than done. Ahead are tips for engaging with your web design clients and taking time off during the holiday season.

The importance of holiday engagement

Connecting with clients during the holiday season can be a boon to your web design business. In addition to serving as an additional touchpoint, reaching out to clients throughout the holidays and new year can help you:

• Show your appreciation

  Express your gratitude for your clients’ business and the opportunity to work with them. Let them know you remember them and their project, and convey your appreciation for their continued trust and partnership.

• Strengthen relationships 

  Build stronger bonds with your clients. Reach out beyond the typical timeline or bounds of a project to foster additional loyalty and trust. This shows clients that you care about them beyond the transaction.

• Boost brand visibility

  Keep your brand top of mind during the holidays (a time when people are most receptive to positive messaging). Always include your branding on emails and snail mail to build consistency and brand recall.

• Generate new leads

  Attract new clients by showcasing your creativity and expertise, or by encouraging referrals from past or existing clients. Set yourself up for success as you move toward the new year.

Creative ways to connect with web design clients

As you embark on the season of client engagement, it’s crucial to stand out from the competition. The following are simple, yet effective, ideas for staying top of mind during the holiday season:

1. Send personalized holiday greetings

A thoughtful email or a handwritten note goes a long way in showing your clients that you care. You can use Squarespace Email Campaigns to send personalized, holiday emails in bulk. Or, if you have more time to dedicate, you can write handwritten notes for your most valuable clients, customizing them with details about the project you worked on, personal details, and any milestones you remember from your time together. If you're feeling extra cheery, consider recording a personalized video greeting for each client. Don your best seasonal sweater and press record!

2. Create holiday-themed content

Add a festive touch to your website with a temporary holiday banner and icon, or add a holiday message to your website announcement bar. You can also write holiday-themed blog articles, share social media posts, and send email newsletters. For instance, you could write a blog post about optimizing a website for the holiday season or create a social media post featuring a festive design you created to wish your community a happy and safe holiday. Snowflakes and hot cocoa, anyone?

3. Offer holiday discounts and promotions

Show your appreciation by offering special discounts or promotions during the holidays. This can be anything from a percentage discount on your web design services to a free gift with purchase (or booking). Share the discounts with your email list and on social media, and add sales information directly to your website. Make it a limited-time offer to encourage buyers to purchase sooner rather than later. Cha-ching!

4. Give a referral bonus

Share a monetary bonus with clients who refer their friends and colleagues to you. This is an effective way to generate new leads and boost sales. Be specific about the terms (i.e., the amount of the bonus and when it will be paid out), and keep your clients informed of any discovery calls and project bookings they refer. Additional touchpoints are a bonus for your past clients and could mean new clients for you–a win-win-win.

5. Offer discounts for booking ahead into the new year

Encourage clients to book your services in advance by offering discounts for early bookings. This can help you manage your workload and ensure a steady stream of projects in the new year. Plus, this can help you fill your books without pounding the pavement.

Pro tip: Send clients a link to your Acuity Scheduling for seamless booking without having to manually manage your calendar.

6. Give back to your community

Demonstrate your commitment to social responsibility by supporting a local charity or organizing a holiday-themed event for your clients and community members. For example, you could donate a portion of your holiday profits to a local charity, or you could host a holiday networking event. During the holiday season, you’ll want to plan events well in advance as venues and social calendars fill up quickly.

7. Send holiday gifts

Surprise your most valued clients with a small token of appreciation in their mailbox, such as a gift card, a box of chocolates, or a personalized gift basket. Check out our guide to holiday gifting for more ideas.

8. Host a special holiday workshop

Share your expertise and connect with clients by hosting a free or discounted holiday-themed workshop, such as an ecommerce optimization session, website design Q&A, or even a general “Ask Me Anything” webinar. (Yep, it’s a chance to wear the aforementioned holiday sweater again!)

Balancing engagement with personal time

While connecting with clients during the holidays is important, it's also crucial to take some time for yourself to relax and reinvigorate your creativity. The following are tips for balancing client engagement with personal time:

• Delegate tasks

  Take your to-do list and see what you can hand off. If you have employees or freelancers who work for you, delegate tasks so that you can have more time to relax and enjoy the holidays. Are you a one-person show? See which tasks you can cut or automate.

• Automate tasks

  There are some tasks you can automate using tools like Email Campaigns, Acuity Scheduling, or third-party integrations. These can free you up so you can focus on spending time with family and friends (or watching cheesy holiday movies). For example, you can use Email Campaigns to automate check-ins with clients, ensuring they feel connected and informed even when you're away. 

  Pro tip: Let clients know you’re using an automated email system and include your back-to-work timeline so they don’t expect additional engagement when you’re unavailable.

• Take breaks

  If you’re working over the holidays, take breaks throughout the day, even if it's just for a few minutes. Get up and move around, or step outside for some fresh air. This can help improve your focus and productivity when you are back at your desk, helping you operate more efficiently and giving you more time for holiday fun.

• Set boundaries

  Clearly communicate your holiday schedule to your clients and let them know when you will be (and won’t be) available. You can do this by adding out-of-office dates to your email signature, setting up an out-of-office email response, posting a message on your website, or sending out a newsletter. You can also post fun and creative out-of-office messages on social media. Then, close your laptop and go celebrate!

Pro tips for connecting with clients during the holidays

As you approach the season of thanks, remember to remain thoughtful and genuine in all of your client interactions. The following are some additional tips for web designers who want to connect with their clients during the holidays:

• Be personal

  When you connect with your clients during the holidays, take the time to personalize your interactions. This can be anything from mentioning something specific about their project (or their family, pets, or a recent event or milestone) to asking them about their plans for the holidays and the new year.

• Be creative

  There are many different ways to connect with your clients during the holidays. Don't be afraid to get creative and come up with new and unique ways to show them you care. Drone QR codes? Singing telegram? Blimps? Well, maybe not, but the sky’s the limit.

• Be grateful

  No matter how you decide to connect with your clients, take the time to express your gratitude for their business. Let them know how much you appreciate their trust and support.

The holidays are a time for joy and connection but also an opportunity to rest and reset for the new year. By taking the time to connect with your clients in a meaningful way while balancing your workload, you can strengthen your relationships, boost your brand, and set the stage for a successful new year.

Want more?

Check out Squarespace Circle, Squarespace’s program for professional designers. Along with exclusive content, discounts, and other perks, Circle brings professionals together from all across the globe to exchange advice while connecting with new clients and collaborators.