While summer signals the end of school and the start of vacation season for many, others are gearing up for a busy time of year. For the folks who run summer businesses, the season moves quickly. However, it’s all worth it for business owners who can make a living doing what they love for a few months before taking some time off and gearing up for next year.

Here are a few things you can do to make sure your summer business is successful year after year:

* Don’t let your customers forget about you during the off-season. During the summer, encourage customers to sign up for email updates, so you can let them know about new developments and additional product offerings that will be available the next year. Updating your website frequently during your off-season can also give customers a reason to visit. Yes, even seasonal businesses – no matter how small — should have a website to help provide information to customers. If you need help getting started, especially if you sell physical products on your website, consider hiring an e-commerce Web design company to help you out, as there are many affordable options out there.

* Since you’ll be extremely busy once summer rolls around and you’re open for business, the off-season is a good time for housekeeping. For example, if your logo needs a facelift, get in touch with a logo designer during your downtime so your new look will be ready to display once you open for business. Update your signage at the same time so it’s consistent with your new logo design.

* Track your progress and be willing to make adjustments on the fly. Since your business year is condensed, it’s important to make sure you’re tracking your performance compared to last year and checking in frequently during the season. Being able to adjust on the fly and quickly accommodate customer demand is very important for seasonal businesses.

* Find ways to encourage your best employees to keep coming back. Perhaps you can help them find other seasonal employment elsewhere during your off-season. Or you can find a way to keep them on longer by giving them some tasks that need to be completed before you open again next year.

By being nimble and proactive, you’ll ensure that your seasonal business is successful for years to come and you’ll be able to enjoy the fruits of your labor during your off-season.