2020 was a crazy year and 2021 is still a bit nuts. Pandemics tend to make things rough and the past 11 months have been, well, rough!
While shutdowns and lockdowns have really hurt some businesses, others are thriving. Admittedly, we worried about our business making its way through the lockdown, but our clients have been busy, thus we have been working hard to keep up with the changes and make our clients stand out.
Here are 5 things we learned about doing business during COVID-19:
1. Get More Products/Services Online
According to a study done in 2020, online usage increased an average of 2 ½ hours per day. With lockdowns and “tiers” and people being wary of going out in public, moving what you can online makes sense. If you are a brick-and-mortar store selling products, go online and create an ecommerce platform and beef up your mailing services so people can shop online without having to go out. Services may be a bit harder but providing as much information online as you can like scheduling, answering questions, etc. could be lucrative in engaging with new customers.
2. Communicate Business Updates Online
Most online platforms like Facebook and Google have created even more ways to communicate business updates to an audience. Make sure you have your business information updated as it changes. People are looking up things like hours and in-person services (are you providing them), are masks mandatory in your location, etc. Make it as easy as possible for people to do business with you by providing them with all the information they need to buy your products/services.
3. Optimize for Mobile
Mobile usage during the past year has increased about 1 hour per day. Additionally, mobile usage is projected to grow by 31% annually through 2025.
It is crucial for your website to be mobile friendly. It needs to appear correctly on a smartphone/tablet, it needs to load quickly, and it needs to have all necessary information (not the watered-down mobile website of the past.) Text should be readable without cutting off or having users scroll side-to-side to read and the link and tabs should be far enough apart that users can easy access them with touch.
4. Monitor Analytics & Adjust Your Strategy
Social Media usage, app usage, and internet usage are changing rapidly based on what is happening outside people’s homes. Monitor your online efforts and track the data, make note of what isn’t working and adjust it, as necessary. If it’s working, keep doing it!
Adjusting your marketing strategy will ensure you aren’t wasting your time or money.
5. Go Remote
Zoom was the fastest growing brand in 2020, with 34% growth in brand recognition. Teleconferencing saw its peak in 2020. Facetime, Google Hangouts, and other online meeting sources have all been updated and refreshed to make life even easier for people during a lockdown or for those who don’t want to venture out. If you offer a service that requires a face-to-face meeting, offering it via an online teleconference is smart. Provide people the ability to conduct business with you without having to be face-to face.
One of our clients provides remote estimates for their HVAC systems, providing all pricing and information via Zoom or Facetime. Another client that provides in-home services does all questions during service via Zoom or Facetime (even while in the customer’s home). Additionally, they offer payment prior to leaving via an online chat so they don’t have to meet face-to-face.
Businesses That are Flexible Will Succeed
Get creative and change with this new world. According to most health experts, its going to be a while before life resumes some semblance of normalcy. Businesses that adapt to this new world will succeed.
Need Help?
Contact us now to see how we can help your business make the adjustments it needs to adapt to this new world.
SOURCES: https://bit.ly/3tDvsHp, https://bit.ly/3oWP1GZ.
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