COVID-19 continues to be on everyone’s mind. As the number of cases rises, governments are making hard decisions on what to keep open and what to close. In Canada and the U.S. more cities, states, and provinces are limiting what is allowed to stay open to essential businesses.
That is a huge blow to many businesses. And as operations close, many businesses are now realizing that their lack of an online presence is hurting them. Whether your business is moving online or you just want to ramp up marketing to get ready for the influx once things open again, here are a few reasons to invest in a digital marketing strategy (such as search engine optimization) and tips on how to do it correctly.
More Time Online
People are being urged to stay home to reduce the spread of COVID-19, which means people are looking for ways to stay entertained. As a result, Internet and social media usage has soared.
eCommerce retailers are seeing a surge of online shopping as people look for online alternatives and delivery-friendly options. Savvy local retail businesses that were brick & mortar are quickly making the move to online with Shopify website development and offering local, contactless delivery to continue to fulfill orders during this time.
Social media usage is skyrocketing with people spending more time on Instagram and Facebook then ever before to stay connected with their friends and the outside world. New social media “challenges” are popping up daily, people are doing fitness classes or talks through Instagram Live, and Facebook is seeing a resurgence of usage to stay in touch with family.
Google Search is being used to find where to get items that you may used to just pop into a local store to find or to look for services that are essential during this time. People still need their taxes filed, roofs repaired, furnaces fixed, etc – and they’re going to be searching on Google to find accountants, roofing companies, general contractors, and other local businesses.
Now is more important than ever to make sure people searching for your service are finding you online, because where else are they going to come across your business?
The Aftermath
It’s still unknown how long COVID-19 will continue to impact daily life. In all likelihood, it will be weeks before people start returning to work and non-essential businesses open. This downtime is the perfect opportunity for businesses that don’t yet have a digital marketing strategy.
Planning a digital marketing campaign takes time, so why not utilize these next few weeks to gain a head start? Once business resumes, you’ll have a competitive advantage over other businesses in your industry.
Information Updates
News about COVID-19 is changing daily. Not only are there more cases, but the government is constantly making new updates. Consumers want to know how this is impacting your business. Without an online presence, it can be hard to inform them promptly.
A digital marketing campaign and regular social media management will allow you to accurately and consistently keep your clients and consumers informed on how the virus, and any future issues, is impacting your business.
Less Competition
Unfortunately, COVID-19 is going to impact the economy in a big way — a lot of businesses won’t survive. For the businesses that do, that means they will face less competition… for a while anyway.
Investing in SEO, social media management, and a digital marketing strategy will not only help your business survive but will also put your company ahead in the long run.
Marketing Tips
If you do decide to invest in a digital marketing strategy during COVID-19, there are a few tips you should keep in mind:
- Don’t exploit the situation: What is going on is very serious. People are sick and dying, and many people and businesses are dealing with financial ruin. While companies should take advantage of business opportunities, it is important that you do not exploit people’s fear at this time. Not only is it wrong, but it is short-sighted and will impact your business negatively in the long-run.
- Stay honest and accurate: There is a lot of fake and inflammatory news going around right now. It’s more important than ever before to value truth and accuracy in your marketing campaign. Don’t make misleading claims, don’t provoke fear, and be honest with your customers about your business practices.
- Place importance on health and safety: The reality is that how long COVID-19 impacts us is really up to us. Companies that value health and safety are winning over the hearts and minds of customers. People are going to remember the businesses that placed money above the health and safety of their employees and customers.
