It may still seem far away, but the holidays are closer than you think. Not only are shops already filled with festive treats and decorations, consumers are also already fully focused on the festive season. From October onwards, the number of search queries in search engines increases. This is the moment to respond and be prepared. Make sure you don’t forget the following points.
"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"✓ Decorate your shop and webshop for the holidays","richBody":{"value":"Shopping streets and shops are decorated festively. Don’t forget online. Give your logo and visual identity a striking festive look. Include your social media channels too. That way, visitors immediately know what to expect during the festive season.
"}},{"title":"✓ Set up marketing campaigns around the holidays","richBody":{"value":"(Web)shop ready? Then get started with your marketing. From October onwards, search queries for holiday-related products increase. Prepare your business properly for the holidays and ride along with this demand. Make sure SEO is in order for your most important pages and campaign pages. Set up paid campaigns in Google, Bing and social media channels. And of course, don’t forget your newsletter. A great way to put your business and products in the spotlight with your customers.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/payments/business-credit-cards","text":"PS You can easily pay for online advertising with a business credit card."}]},{"title":"✓ Plan holiday promotions","richBody":{"value":"Make sure it’s clear to consumers from the very first search moment what you have to offer. Do you have special promotions, products or offers around the holidays? Share them. Give your seasonal items a prominent place so they’re easy to find.
"}}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Card machine"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Do you run a hospitality business, a shop or work in trade? Chances are December is hectic. Prepare properly for the holidays by making sure customers can always pay smoothly, and you don’t miss out on sales and revenue.
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"right"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"✓ Accept all payment cards","richBody":{"value":"Of course, customers can pay by debit card. But can they also pay by credit card with you? Credit card payments in shops are becoming more common, especially during the holiday season. Prepare your business by making sure customers can pay with all cards. Applying for credit card acceptance is free. You only pay when a customer actually uses it. No risk for you, and no lost revenue.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/accepting-payments/payment-terminals/credit-card-acceptance","text":"Start accepting credit cards now"}]},{"title":"✓ Apply for refunds via card","richBody":{"value":"A card machine isn’t just for receiving money. You can also use it to refund money. It’s possible to process refunds via the card machine. Useful when gifts are exchanged. No hassle with cash. Everything arranged digitally.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/accepting-payments/payment-terminals/refunds","text":"More information about applying for refunds via card and the conditions"}]},{"title":"✓ Arrange a new or additional card machine","richBody":{"value":"A card machine is indispensable. Don’t have one yet, or expecting busy periods? Arrange a new machine. Apply now and make sure you receive it in time.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/accepting-payments/payment-terminals/payment-terminal-via-partners","text":"Check our range of fixed and mobile machines. Now with a nice discount!"}]},{"title":"✓ Arrange payment requests and QR codes","richBody":{"value":"If a card machine isn’t profitable, it’s too busy in your shop, or your machine has a malfunction, there are alternatives. You can also let your customers pay digitally very easily using payment requests and QR codes. Also handy for your delivery drivers.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/en/business/accepting-payments/payment-requests","text":"Check how payment requests work"}]}]},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":""},"alignedImage":{"position":"bottom","transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/640b5dd7-7437-4e4a-a18f-e0956ae8b57d/Person-uses-ING-mobile-app-to-pay-for-some-food-at-a-winter-market-stall","original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/af3ab2d8dce90b1/original/Person-uses-ING-mobile-app-to-pay-for-some-food-at-a-winter-market-stall.jpg","extension":"jpg"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Christmas gifts"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Have you already thought about original Christmas gifts? Surprise your colleagues, employees and business relations with a Christmas gift.
"},"alignedImage":{"position":"left"}},{"componentType":"accordion","accordionList":[{"title":"✓ Contact a (local) supplier","richBody":{"value":"Do you want something original, personal or with your own logo? Get in touch quickly with a good (local) supplier. That way, you’re sure you won’t miss out and everything arrives on time. A Christmas gift like this is always a nice gesture at the end of the year.
"}},{"title":"✓ Find out how VAT applies to Christmas gifts","richBody":{"value":"The Tax and Customs Administration sets a threshold amount for corporate gifts. The VAT you pay on these gifts is therefore not always deductible. A threshold amount of €227 (excluding VAT) applies per recipient per financial year.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"https://www.belastingdienst.nl/wps/wcm/connect/bldcontentnl/belastingdienst/zakelijk/btw/btw_aftrekken/personeelsvoorzieningen_en_relatiegeschenken/drempelbedrag_personeelsvoorzieningen_giften_en_relatiegeschenken","text":"Read what the Tax and Customs Administration says about this"}]}]},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Start the new year fresh"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"There’s nothing better than starting the new year fresh. Do you want to keep your administration and tax affairs in order in 2025? Schedule a fixed moment every week to update your administration and review your progress. That way, you keep insight into your financial situation.
"},"textLinks":[{"url":"/zakelijk/financieel-gezond/checklist-administratie-bijhouden","text":"See more tips here to stay on top of your administration"}],"alignedImage":{"position":"bottom"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"Christmas party"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Your (web)shop is ready, Christmas gifts arranged, everything prepared for the festive season. Time to enjoy the holidays yourself. Dinner with colleagues and employees. Spending time with your family. Enjoying drinks together at the end of the year. Every entrepreneur has their own Christmas ritual. What will you do?
However, wherever, with whoever and whenever you celebrate: we wish you an unforgettable festive season.
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