# Availability & Hours

Set your business hours so AI assistants can tell customers when you're open.

## Why Hours Matter

Accurate hours help AI assistants:

* Answer "are they open now?" questions
* Recommend businesses based on current availability
* Set customer expectations
* Reduce frustration from incorrect information

***

## Regular Hours

Set your standard weekly schedule.

### Format

Hours are in 24-hour format (00:00 - 23:59) or 12-hour format with AM/PM.

**Example**:

```
Monday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
```

### Closed Days

If you're closed on certain days:

```
Monday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
```

### Split Hours

For businesses with breaks:

```
Monday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
```

***

## Special Hours

### Holidays

Set specific hours for holidays:

**Examples**:

* Christmas Day: Closed
* Thanksgiving: 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
* New Year's Day: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

### Seasonal Changes

If your hours change by season:

**Summer Hours** (June - August):

```
Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday-Sunday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
```

**Winter Hours** (December - February):

```
Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday-Sunday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
```

### Special Events

Temporary hour changes:

* Private events
* Renovations
* Staff training days
* Community events

***

## Best Practices

### Be Accurate

Incorrect hours frustrate customers:

* Update immediately when hours change
* Account for prep/closing time
* Be realistic about last seating/service times

### Be Specific

Help customers plan their visit:

* Note if kitchen closes before business
* Mention last seating times for restaurants
* Indicate appointment-only periods

### Be Current

Keep hours up-to-date:

* Review monthly
* Update for seasons
* Adjust for holidays
* Communicate changes

***

## Common Scenarios

### Appointment-Only

```
Monday-Friday: By appointment only
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (walk-ins welcome)
Sunday: Closed
```

### 24/7 Operations

```
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
```

### Seasonal Business

```
Open May 1 - September 30
Monday-Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Closed October 1 - April 30
```

### Variable Hours

```
Hours vary by season and weather.
Check website or call for current hours.
```

***

## Time Zones

Your hours are displayed in your local time zone based on your business location.

**Example**:

* Business in Portland, OR: Pacific Time (PT)
* Business in New York, NY: Eastern Time (ET)

AI assistants automatically convert to the customer's time zone when needed.

***

## Last Call / Last Seating

If you stop serving before closing:

**Restaurant Example**:

```
Hours: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Last seating: 9:00 PM
Kitchen closes: 9:30 PM
```

**Service Business Example**:

```
Hours: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Last appointment: 5:00 PM
```

Add this information in your business description or exclusive content.

***

## Temporary Closures

### Planned Closures

For renovations, vacations, or events:

1. Update your hours in advance
2. Add a note about the closure
3. Include reopening date
4. Consider adding to exclusive content

**Example Note**:

```
Closed July 15-22 for annual staff retreat.
Reopening July 23 with new summer menu!
```

### Emergency Closures

For unexpected closures:

1. Update hours immediately
2. Add explanation if appropriate
3. Provide estimated reopening
4. Update when situation changes

***

## Tips for AI Optimization

### Use Consistent Formatting

AI assistants parse hours better with consistent formatting:

* ✅ "7:00 AM - 6:00 PM"
* ✅ "07:00 - 18:00"
* ❌ "7am-6pm" (works but less clear)
* ❌ "7-6" (ambiguous)

### Include Context

Help AI provide better recommendations:

* "Open late Friday-Saturday for dinner service"
* "Early morning hours for commuters"
* "Extended hours during summer season"

### Note Special Circumstances

Mention important details:

* "Closed first Monday of each month for staff training"
* "Open 30 minutes early for online order pickup"
* "Happy hour 4-6 PM daily"

***

## Common Mistakes

1. **Outdated Hours**: Not updating after changes
2. **Ambiguous Times**: "Open late" without specific hours
3. **Missing Holidays**: Not accounting for holiday closures
4. **Timezone Confusion**: Not specifying timezone for multi-location businesses
5. **Inconsistent Info**: Hours differ from website/door sign

***

## Verification

Double-check your hours:

* [ ] Match your actual operating hours
* [ ] Consistent with website and door signage
* [ ] Account for all days of the week
* [ ] Include holiday hours if applicable
* [ ] Note any seasonal changes
* [ ] Specify timezone if needed
* [ ] Include last seating/service times if relevant

***

## Impact on Discovery

### "Open Now" Searches

Customers often ask AI:

* "Coffee shops open now near me"
* "Is \[business name] open today?"
* "What time does \[business name] close?"

Accurate hours ensure you appear in these searches.

### Recommendation Quality

AI assistants consider hours when making recommendations:

* Won't recommend closed businesses
* Prioritize businesses open longer
* Match hours to customer needs

***

**Next**: [View your analytics →](https://amistan.gitbook.io/aidp-docs/for-business-owners/analytics)