Cellular Sales independently operates this site and is a Verizon Authorized Retailer.

Holiday Prep Guide: 5 Tech Checks Every Small Business Should Make Before the Rush

October 29, 2025|

For businesses, the holiday season can make or break your year. And if you’re running a small business, you often don't have the luxury of an IT department standing by to back you up. Your tech needs to work flawlessly under the holiday pressure. To help you make sure everything runs smoothly for you and your business this year, here are five critical checks to make before the holiday rush hits.

1. Is Your Internet Fast Enough?

Quick test:

Go to fast.com on your phone or computer during your busiest hour. Run the test while someone processes a sale at the same time.

What you're looking for: Ideally download speeds should be above 25 Mbps with no lag in your POS system while you run the test.

The solution: If your speeds are slower or your system lags, Fios Business Internet or 5G Business Internet help deliver the bandwidth you need with priority support. So, if something goes wrong during the holiday rush, you get help fast.

A hand holds a smartphone displaying the results of an internet speed test.

2. Are Your Payment Systems Secure?

Quick test:

Log into your payment processor (Square, Clover, Toast, etc.) and look for your PCI compliance status. Test your backup payment method with a small transaction.

What you're looking for: A "compliant" status and a working backup if your primary system fails.

The solution: If you have trouble with payment security, Business Mobile Secure is your best bet. It protects the phones and tablets you use to run your business, keeping customer payment data safe without requiring an IT expert to manage it.

A barista in a green apron holds out a smart phone so a customer can use their phone for tap to pay.

3. Can Your Team Stay Connected Everywhere?

Quick test:

Walk to the back corner of your store with your business phone. Try to access your inventory system or POS dashboard.

What you're looking for: A strong signal and quick loading throughout your entire storefront location.

The solution: Drops in connection can be fixed with Business smartphone plans. Give your team reliable connectivity anywhere on-site, with the flexibility to add lines for seasonal staff and mobile hotspot capabilities when you need them.

A woman shows a tablet screen to a man holding a box as they stand in a storage room.

4. What Happens If Your Internet Goes Down?

Quick test:

During a slow period, unplug your internet router. Check if you can still process a payment using your phone's mobile data.

What you're looking for: A way to keep taking payments even if your primary internet connection fails.

The solution: Wireless Business Internet serves as your backup connection, keeping transactions flowing even when your wired internet goes down. You can also enable mobile hotspot on business smartphones to keep your critical systems up and running.

A smiling cashier takes a credit card from a customer and prepares to swipe it with a tablet.

5. Is Customer Wi-Fi Slowing You Down?

Quick test:

Have someone connect to your customer Wi-Fi and then stream a video. Process a sale at the same time and see if your POS slows down.

What you're looking for: Your business systems should stay fast even when customers are using your Wi-Fi.

The solution: If you experience a lag, check out business-grade Wi-Fi. It separates your customer network from your business operations, so customer browsing never interferes with your ability to process sales quickly.

A woman in a green shirt stands by racks of green clothing and looks at a phone.

Don't Wait Until Black Friday

The biggest mistake small business owners make is assuming their current tech will "probably be fine" during holiday chaos. These five quick checks take less than 30 minutes in total, but they could save you from losing sales during your most vital weeks at the end of the year.

Act this week:

Run through these five quick tests. Take note of any problems you uncover. Talk to a Cellular Sales Business specialist about solutions before the holiday rush begins.

Can your tech handle the holidays?

Cellular Sales Business specialists understand the unique challenges small businesses face during the holiday season. We'll help you find the right solutions at the right price, no cookie-cutter packages, just the tools your specific business needs to thrive. Call us today or visit your local store to speak to a specialist.

Founded in 1993, Cellular Sales proudly serves as Verizon’s premier retail partner. With almost 800 locations nationwide and more than 7,000 employees, we connect customers with top-tier products and services. We were named Verizon Agent of the Year in 2020 and 2021, and have been listed nine times among Inc. Magazine’s 5000 fastest-growing companies in the country. For more information, visit cellularsales.com or follow us on social media at facebook.com/cellularsales and @cellularsales on Instagram. For career information, visit cellularsales.com/careers.

Follow Cellular Sales