Photo by Adam Nieścioruk on Unsplash
The pandemic has drastically changed the way businesses operate. Companies and businesses have been forced to close because of the extensive spread of the virus. Only grocery stores, pharmacies, and other essential businesses could stay open. Many people had to limit communication with others because of a dangerous epidemiological situation. They also avoided visiting public places to eliminate unnecessary contact with others.
Students were also affected by the pandemic. It was extremely difficult to study from home and cope with the enormous amount of assignments. It lead to stress. To avoid the tension, you can simply ask to write my paper for me on Google. There are many services to help you complete their tasks on time and get great results.
The virus is spreading at an enormous rate and is killing people. This greatly affects the global economy, damages markets and companies. As a result, they are suffering losses. Rising currency values make the situation worse.
Luckily, with the vaccination becoming more and more accessible, we can all sigh with relief. However, who knows what the future holds? If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that anything could happen and we need to be prepared for the worst. Sure, it sounds pessimistic but better safe than sorry.
Without further ado, here are the most important recommendations for local businesses.
How to secure a business from a pandemic
So here is what companies can do to adapt to the new realia. By following these tips, businesses can stay afloat in this tough time, or any other one in the future. They’ll be able to keep operating, earn money, and survive any crisis.
- It is more important than ever to provide users with reliable data on the Internet (working hours, phone numbers, news, updates).
During the pandemic, thousands of people were mandated not to leave their homes. They turned to the internet to solve any issues. Hence, a business’s online presence became the main criteria determining its survival. If people can’t find your phone number or operating hours online, they will not go blindly, they will find another store.
- Businesses should inform their customers in a timely manner about any changes on their website, social media accounts or via a newsletter. Don’t forget to update maps, too (in Google My Business).
- Be active on social media even if your physical store is temporarily closed This will ensure your clients don’t forget about you. They might even support you if you build rapport.
How not to lose customers in a crisis: 9 tips
1.Going online
Notaries, financial institutions, and law firms can use online consulting. They can support their clients via a website, messengers, and social media.
Restaurants and cafes should enable online ordering and delivery. They should provide various options for clients. Customers can then order food on the site, by using maps and aggregators. You can also offer customers food kits to prepare dishes from the menu.
Fitness clubs can offer online broadcasts of workouts or video tutorials sent via email.
2. Educating potential clients
For example, law offices or financial institutions can teach clients how to deal with easier issues on their own. Besides, they can provide webinars to cover popular topics and keep their clients engaged.
Cafes and restaurants can teach cooking via streams. They can also offer online broadcasts with workshops from the chef. This can be done via social networks or an official website.
The same applies to gyms. They can teach through free short training videos (for example, with basic exercises that people can do at home). Or you could offer a subscription to personal workouts with a trainer but via Skype or Zoom. They can be cheaper than a normal gym membership but still bring money to your business.
Beauty salons can also post video tutorials on applying makeup, coloring, etc., as well as conduct beauty marathons.
This will allow companies to expand their client base: online training will help businesses attract a new audience, as well as gain the loyalty of those who doubted or even turned to a competitor before.
3. Providing equipment for rent
This may be relevant for gyms, beauty salons, night clubs or bars. It’s a great way to compensate for the downtime.
4. Reconsidering the format
A business can turn from service delivery to sales. For example, cafes and restaurants can use the opportunity to sell products from suppliers (like in stores), as well as the sale of ready-made meals to take away. This insight can also be used by beauty salons: selling professional cosmetics, etc.
5. Optimizing marketing budget
In times of crisis, it is extremely important to reconsider your marketing efforts. Conduct a thorough analysis and find the advertising channels that waste budget and do not bring in customers.
Businesses should remember that it is the presence of relevant information on online maps and geoservices that can convert search traffic into real visitors effectively.
6. Providing opportunities for employees
Employee satisfaction is extremely important. And if a business is not operating in full force, there’s no need for the employees to hang out in the store with nothing to do. Let them work part-time or ⅔ of a day. Besides, many of their children are at home, too, so they might need to be watched.
7. Consider the possibility of changing working hours.
In this regard, companies should ensure to update cafe/restaurant data on maps (Google Maps, and other navigation apps): opening and closing hours, phone numbers, etc.
8. Investing in customer service
Since attracting new customers is more difficult than retaining old ones, businesses should work with those who have been with them for a long time. Consider developing loyalty programs, bonuses, discounts, etc.
10. Working with incoming feedback
Use your site’s feedback pages (add it if you don;t have one). Companies should not ignore customer questions, complaints, and comments.
Wrapping up
A crisis is a time to reevaluate priorities, implement new management models and technology solutions. The above recommendations will help businesses overcome it with the least losses.
Any business should remember that complete and up-to-date company data on the web will help you build a better connection with customers. Therefore, maintaining them for as long as possible and not losing to competitors.
