If you’re looking for different ways to take your business online during the COVID-19 crisis, then you’re not alone.
Many countries have announced lockdown while others have limited the movement due to coronavirus pandemic.
As a result, lots of business owners have to close their shutters as they are prevented from doing essential business tasks (such as meeting with clients and suppliers or running the production unit).
However, thanks to the internet, many businesses are able to operate amid this COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s have a look at how to bring your business online and keep it running.
Table of Contents
1. Build a Website (if You Haven’t Already)
If you don’t have a website for your business, now is the right time to build it. A business website will not only act as a source of information for your potential customers, but it will also allow them to make a purchase from you online.
Building a website isn’t difficult, especially when there are tons of drag-and-drop builders and templates available on the internet.
If you can’t build your website, you can outsource it to developers (freelancers or agencies) to create it for you.
Another benefit of having a website is that it acts as a base for all your marketing campaigns. You can attract potential customers through various channels, including social media and email, to your website and convert them.
Finally, when you build your website, make sure you make it accessible to people with disabilities by following this ADA compliance checklist.
2. Leverage All-in-One Business Management Apps
All-in-one business management apps allow you to manage payments, appointments, clients, crucial documents, and more from one platform.
Business management apps like vcita can act as your online office, enabling you to run the operations smoothly. Apart from helping you manage payments, clients, and documents, vcita also enables you to manage marketing campaigns, and schedule appointments online using their Zoom integration.
This is crucial as it shows your clients when you’re available, allowing them to fill up your time slots by themselves and turn your free time into profit.
3. Create Social Media Accounts
As of 2020, 3.08 billion people are using social media. The chances are your potential customers are also spending their time on social media. With governments imposing quarantine, more and more people are turning towards social media to stay connected with their friends or simply to have fun.
You can use this opportunity to engage with your target audience and existing customers by creating accounts on social media.
To begin with, decide which social media platforms are right for your business.
For example, if you sell cosmetic products, then your primary target audience is female. Look for platforms that have more females.
If you sell male grooming products, then your primary target audience is male. Look for platforms that most men use.
This is important because unless you know where your target audience is spending their time, your efforts won’t yield any results.
For instance, Facebook has 2.44 billion users, out of which 75% are women. Instagram has 1 billion users, mainly from the age group of 18-24.
4. Share Relevant Marketing Materials
Although you need to keep your business running, it is essential to send the right kind of message. You wouldn’t want to look like someone who wants to take advantage of the situation.
Therefore, it is essential to share relevant marketing materials that while still promoting your business.
For example, Echelon, a fitness company, leverages user-generated content to share a social message while promoting its products. The copy reads, “We’re all stuck here at home, but thank goodness for Echelon! I can still jump on my bike & stay connected with my favorite instructors & Echelon’s community of riders. Stay safe, everyone, and ride on”.
This is great because they focus on staying safe during the COVID-19 crisis while demonstrating how their products can help people when they’re stuck at home.
5. Invest in Paid Ads
Since organic growth takes time, it would be best to invest in paid ads. Paid ads help you boost brand exposure and increase sales from day one.
Another advantage of paid ads is that they offer better customer targeting. For example, when advertising on Facebook, you can create a custom audience that includes demographics, location, gender, and interests.
Similarly, when you advertise on Google, your ads appear only when people are searching for products related to your business.
This is vital as it enables you to reach the right people, thereby saving your money.
What’s Next?
I understand you want to jump right in and start working on taking your business online asap. But remember, it is essential not to go overboard with promotions. You wouldn’t want to send a wrong impression about your brand. The whole world is suffering from the pandemic, hence ensure your message encourages people to stay at home.
