COVID-19 has already created huge changes both for how we live and how we work. With stay at home orders in practically every country, it’s forcing businesses to change the way they interact with customers.
As a business, it is important you stay in contact with customers and prospects. Not necessarily to be salesy, but to provide value where you can. This will put you in good stead in the future, as well as providing people with much-needed support.
This pandemic has changed the way local businesses operate, and it’s not clear exactly what the long-term ramifications will be.
How life and work is changing
Students are learning from home and anyone who can, is working at home as well. Which is changing the way we search. It is also creating a spike in traffic for topics that don’t normally make it on to our radar.
For example, the sales of home office supplies, takeout, home delivery of groceries, and streaming service sign-ups has increased. It has also seen many bars, pubs, and clubs shut, as most of them do not have a takeout option.
Because most of us are home and adapting to the new conditions our habits are changing accordingly. The question for businesses now is: are you able to adapt?
The effects of COVID-19 on search
How people are searching online is changing. Items like productivity tools and electronics as well as grocery stores are experiencing a massive surge in search queries. Search queries for restaurants—which are usually high—are slowly declining.
Any restaurant that isn’t currently offering takeout options is going to have to start, or they will perish.
What local businesses can do to adapt
This is no longer the survival of the fittest. It’s the survival of the most adaptable. Optimizing your digital presence is absolutely key to long-term survival. This means making sure your website is easy to read, easy to navigate and has clear and direct messaging.
If you don’t already, adding a chat feature to your site can help streamline and improve customer service interactions.
Whatever you sell, now’s the time to double-down on your online presence to stay relevant to your audience. Creating informative, educational content that provides value to your audience will help you stay connected with them.
Connection is the key. If you can stay connected with your customers and prospects, you have a good chance of coming out of this pandemic strong.
COVID-19 is changing how we do business, can you adapt?
Some businesses can only shut down, there’s sadly no alternative. But for many others, now is the time to invest in your online presence. Because the way things are going search traffic on Google is going to become more important for your business than almost any other platform.
