Right now everyone is home and the world has changed in so many ways. Many businesses main focus is to simply stay afloat during this crazy time. There are even many businesses who have been put “on hold” until things go back to what we think is normal while other businesses are adjusting and making this their new normal.
Wherever you are in this crazy adventure called 2020, there are a few things you can do right now that will better the chances of your business making it though this rough patch.
The first, and most important thing, is to announce the status of your business.
If you are open, semi-open, only available for delivery or shipping, or paused during this time, make sure your customers and your potential customers know it. Many business sites have a notification bar or a pop up on their site stating the status of their business. Post your status on social media as well. Plus it would be a good idea to send out an email to all current customers of your status. As long as people know your status, the chances of them continuing or becoming a customer are greater.
Ensure all of your information is correct online.
This is so important! There was a local grocery store to me that I checked its time on both its website and Facebook and it said to be open. I rushed over the 10 miles to the store to shop only to find out that the store closed about 15 minutes before I arrived. As a customer, I was aggravated that I wasted gas, time, and money due to incorrect information.
When you have incorrect information on a site, it can cost you. It can cost you the current customers you have and potential ones that are looking to establish a relationship.
This information includes your hours, contact information, location information, and even the people who work for the business and their roles.
Refresh the content on your site.
Re-read through your most visited pages and ensure everything is up to date, relevant, and in the proper voice of your business. Review for proper grammar as well. You may find that since you have not looked at your history of the business page, you may have a lot more information to add. Your services page may need to have some of your new services added to it. The review of your site may even lead to new ideas for your business.
Write a couple of blog posts.
If you do not have a blog on your site, now would be the time to add one. A blog connects your prospective, current, and old customers to your business. It shares the human element to your business.
Write about what is going on in the company. Write about what the future may hold. Write about the ups and downs of the business. Write about the journey. Write about why the business is what it is. Write about anything and everything.
Reach out to your current customers.
Now is the time to reach out to your current customers as they are in this wild ride as well. Let them know that you are thinking about them and here for them now and when things change. Make sure that if there is some way you can help them or they can help you, that you are only a call or message away.
Ask your current clients for reviews.
Reviews for your business are free advertising. They show your authentic reputation on your product or service. With life becoming more digital every day, the need to have customer feedback online is almost a necessity.
Customers can leave reviews for you to put on your website, Google, Facebook, and then there is websites dedicated to sharing reviews.
Make it easy for your customers. Send out an email to your that directly links to places you would like to see more reviews added. That way all the customer has to do is click the link, write the testimonial, and share the love.
These six simple steps can generate a great deal of positive for your business during this time of social distancing. It is also a great reminder that every so often, we do need to ensure that all of our information is up to date and that we are thinking about our customers.