Running an eCommerce store means you’re always “open.” There’s no front door to lock or “Back in Two Weeks” sign to hang. But what happens when you—the store owner—need a break? Whether it’s a week at the beach, a long overdue cruise, or simply time to do nothing but take time off to recharge, you may be wondering if it’s ever a good idea to close your online store for vacation.
The answer? It depends—on your business model, your staffing situation, and your long-term goals. Let’s break down the pros, cons, and important considerations so you can decide what’s right for you.
When It Makes Sense to Close for Vacation
Sometimes taking a vacation to get away from it all is just something you have to do. If you’re set on making this the year you hang up the closed sign for a few days, here are a few scenarios when it absolutely makes sense to do to:
- You Need a Mental Break – If you’re a one-man-band, running an eCommerce store can be relentless. Orders come in at all hours, customer questions need answering, and shipments must go out quickly to avoid bad reviews. Closing your store while you’re away gives you the ability to fully disconnect without worrying about delays, unhappy customers, or logistical nightmares.
- Preventing Negative Reviews – Taking orders you can’t fulfill within your normal timeframe can lead to frustrated customers, refund requests, and bad reviews. If you know you can’t meet your normal service standards while you’re gone, hitting the pause button on new orders may protect your reputation in the long run.
- Avoiding Burnout – You started your business to enjoy more freedom, not to chain yourself to your phone 24/7, right? Taking a break can help you come back with fresh ideas, a renewed focus, and a better outlook—things that directly impact your store’s growth.
The Downsides of Closing Shop
Not accepting orders for a week or more may make sense when palm trees, ocean breezes, and a piña colada is on your mind, but closing up shop does come with some risks that you need to be able to accept, such as:
- Lost Revenue – This is the big one. If your store is closed, you’re not making money. Depending on your traffic and sales volume, even a few days offline can mean a noticeable dip in monthly revenue.
- Customer Confusion – Shutting down temporarily can leave customers confused or frustrated—especially repeat ones who expect to place orders anytime. If they need something right away, they may go to a competitor and possibly not return.
- SEO & Ad Campaign Disruptions – While a short closure won’t tank your search rankings, it can disrupt your ad performance, or waste money if you forget to pause paid campaigns.
Middle-Ground Options
Completely shutting your store down isn’t the only way to manage a vacation. There are ways to keep orders coming in, by setting realistic expectations and giving notice to your customers.
- Extend Order Processing Times – Instead of making items unorderable or disabling your shopping cart, update your shipping and handling times to account for your time away. For example, if you normally ship within two business days, temporarily change it to 5–7 days. Be transparent so customers know what to expect.
- Banner Announcements – Place a notice at the top of your site explaining you are away and when orders will ship. Customers tend to be understanding when expectations are set upfront.
- Temporary Staff (aka Family) – If you truly are a one-man-band, find a trustworthy friend or family member who can handle order processing while you’re away. This keeps the store open with someone back home to keep things running.
- Limited Product Availability – If you’re going to use a friend or family member to help out, hit pause on items that require more hands-on handling or personalization, and leave only easy-to-ship products available to order.
If You Decide to Close, Do It Right
If you’re going to shut down, make sure to communicate clearly. Update your homepage with a “We’re on vacation” message and the date you’ll reopen. Consider sending out a bulk email to your subscribers, so customers know when to come back. Most importantly, make sure you pause advertising campaigns to avoid wasting money driving traffic to a closed store. Then, when it comes time to reopen again, do it with a bang! Plan a promotion or sale to get the money flowing once again.
At the end of the day, taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your business. After all, a rested store owner is a better store owner.
Scott Sanfilippo began his eCommerce journey in 1994 by co-founding one of the Internet’s first online retailers, TheFerretStore.com, which was acquired by PetCo in 2006. In 2001, he co-founded the eCommerce design and marketing firm Solid Cactus, which was acquired by web.com in 2009. Today, Scott is the General Manager of Your Store Wizards and lives in Delray Beach, FL. Scott can be contacted at scott@yourstorewizards.com.