More likely than not, if you have a business, it has been dramatically affected by the recent Coronavirus pandemic. In order to prevent further spreading of the disease, social distancing and quarantine has become the new norm. This, however, has not been beneficial for many businesses. Without customers walking into their stores, many offlines businesses have seen their revenues drop, and some have even had to close.
Adapt to online marketplace
One way that businesses have learned to cope with such circumstances is through adapting to and embracing a new online marketplace. While in-person shopping and services may be suffering blows right now, online shopping and services are booming like never before. And learning to tap into this market could mean a world of difference for businesses going through troubles. If there has ever been a time for entrepreneurs thinking about growing their online businesses to make it happen, it’s now.
Grow your online sales
First of all, many businesses have begun to use incentives to grow their online sales. Whether it’s through coupons, deals, or free shipping, these incentives can draw a lot of attention to businesses. In fact, one survey found that 56% of customers are interested in the initiatives that brands have put in place during the outbreak. Other businesses have taken the approach of creating offers for free or heavily-discounted services that ease the current situation (like free meditation apps or online yoga instruction) in hopes of increasing brand awareness and of retaining customers after the pandemic and the deal end. However, businesses should always consider the costs of any customer incentives to ensure they don’t outweigh the benefits.
Online meet ups could be helpful
While selling online, businesses can also think about new products or services they can provide their customers. Although the avoidance of close contact might mean fitness classes, restaurant meals, and other in-person activities are no longer possible, these industries have done their best to meet old customer needs through the internet. Exercise classes are being hosted on zoom and restaurants are cooking meals to-go. In this same manner, other businesses that were similarly previously reliant on human interaction should consider what replacements they can offer instead, how they can solve the old customer needs with new methods.
Adapt to the changes by introducing new products!
Another idea to consider is producing something new that caters to new pandemics needs. For example, some businesses have also started selling product bundles that provide at-home entertainment like crafting or cooking kits. While it might mean shifting away from their pre-pandemic mode of operation, businesses should be open to expanding into open niches. And as always, they should feel free to do outreach and simply ask customers what they want.
Everyone is on social media now…
As businesses expand their online practices, social media is one of the top factors to keep in mind. While growing their online practice, businesses should use social media and virtual outreach to engage customers. During the pandemic, reflecting on the current citation (including any struggles) is a way to connect with them. With quality social media handling and interaction, businesses can significantly increase brand awareness, increase consumer trust, and draw in new sales. Some ways stores have taken advantage of social media stores include going live on different platforms to display their wares in lieu of in-person browsing or to show off behind-the-scenes activities and to post on their Instagrams stories with polls and questions. A blog is another means of sharing valuable content with readers, and it can become a reliable, authoritative source of information. Moreover, social media and email are also both very effective ways of marketing.
Optimise your website!
Of course, if their aim is to expand online business, businesses must ensure their website is functional. First, check that the website loads and displays well on both desktop and mobile. Next, make sure it is up-to-date and answers the following questions: Is the business open? If so, at what locations, on what days, and during what hours? Have there been any other changes in pace due to the pandemic? It may even be useful for some businesses to create a Corona FAQ page if the pandemic has created enough uncertainty around their operation. Businesses should also keep their Google Business listing updated with the same important information.
Stay healthy, stay happy
Lastly, aside from concrete changes, business owners should also try to keep within a positive and constructive state of mind to aid themselves, their business, and their community. Although the switch to online business may be abrupt and stressful, taking advantage of new internet shoppers and maximising online sales can result in an expanded market that will last long beyond the pandemic. Additionally, seeing this pandemic as a time to learn a new skill, whether it be related to online business or not, can prove to be useful in both the short and long run. Taking this time as an opportunity to work together with and lean on other businesses within the same industry can provide needed assistance and forge new connections for the future. If a business has the means, a local community or charity focus can also improve brand name, especially as the coronavirus outbreak has created a new sense of responsibility to the community for many people.
All in all, while the shift to online business may have been unexpected, there are still many things businesses can do to make the best out of it and even possibly grow in the proces. Just remember, even small changes matter, meet customer needs, and focus on maintaining building your brand. And, of course, make sure to keep on top of quarantine restrictions as they change and know what they mean for you!
在疫情下，中小企和創業家們是如何應對的呢？讓GoBuddy和你看看他們用了什麼方法吧！
✨適應網上市場
企業已學會擁抱新的網上市場。儘管面對面的購物和服務正遭受打擊，但在線購物和服務正以前所未有的速度蓬勃發展。學會打入這個市場可能對遇到瓶頸的企業帶來不同商機。如果你曾經考慮發展自己的在線業務，那就是現在！
✨增加您的在線銷售
許多企業已開始使用激勵措施來增加在線銷售量。無論是通過優惠券，交易還是免費送貨，這些激勵措施都可以引起廣泛關注。實際上，一項調查發現，有56％的客戶對品牌在爆發期間採取的措施感興趣。其他企業則採取了創建免費或打折優惠服務的提議的方式，以緩解當前的狀況（例如免費的冥想應用程序或在線瑜伽指導），以提高品牌知名度並在交易結束後留住客戶。但是，你還應考慮措施的成本，確保它們不會超過收益。
✨在線聚會？
在網上銷售時，企業還可以考慮他們可以為客戶提供的新產品或服務。儘管避免親密接觸可能讓大家不再上健身課，外出用膳等，但這些行業已盡力通過互聯網滿足老客戶的需求（網上健身課程正在流行中！）同樣，以前依賴人機交流的其他行業也可考慮提供哪些替代產品，以及他們如何使用新方法解決老客戶的需求。
✨通過引入新產品來適應變化！
要考慮的另一個想法是生產滿足新需求的新產品。例如，一些企業還已經開始銷售新產品，這些產品可提供家庭娛樂，例如手工製作或烹飪套件。雖然這代表要改變經營方式，但企業應該願意向開放的市場擴張。
✨現在每個人都在上社交媒體！
隨著企業擴大在線業務，社交媒體是首要因素之一。在發展在線業務的同時，企業應使用社交媒體和虛擬外展吸引客戶。在疫症期間，反思當前策略是與建立聯繫的一種方式。通過高質量的社交媒體內容和互動，企業可以大大提高品牌知名度，增強消費者信任度並吸引新的銷售。例如在不同平台上直播來展示商品或展示幕後活動，並在Instagram故事中進行互動。寫blog也是與讀者共享內客的另一種方法，它可以成為可靠，權威的信息來源。此外，電子郵件也是非常有效的營銷方式喔！
✨優化您的網站！
如果目標是擴大在線業務，企業必須確保網站正常運行。首先，檢查網站是否可以在所有裝置上正常顯示，確保它是最新的版本。此外，創建一個FAQ頁面會很有用！企業還可使用重要信息來更新其Google Business列表。
✨保持正向！
最後，記得保持積極的心態！:) 幫助自己，企業和社區，將現在視為學習新技能的時機，無論是否與業務相關，增值自己在短期和長期都是有用的！以此為契機，與其他企業合作還可為將來建立新的商機！來為你身邊的人帶來正面影響吧！
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