It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for small business owners. Running a new company is hard enough but with social distancing guidelines and a customer base that is unsure of what the future holds, it can seem almost impossible to get new business through the door. However, it is important to remember that while times are tough, where there is a will, there is a way. Here at Plus Six Solutions, we are known for creating solutions, so we have some tips for how you can survive during the pandemic.
Focus On Your E-Commerce Website
While traffic at physical stores may be down during the pandemic, customers have been shopping online at record numbers, so a smart idea may be to pivot your business online. You can sell any product with an attractive website that has eye-catching content, high-quality photos, and an easy check-out process.
You want to stand out from the crowd, so make sure to add a page to your website specifically dedicated to customer reviews. Post your best reviews there so customers know that they can trust you and get what they need even during a pandemic.
In order to attract more attention, you also need to advertise your site and the sales you offer with clever marketing, and you can start by placing attention-grabbing banners on your site. Banners typically include a photo with text that can pop out on your main page and draw customer’s eyes to a discount you are offering or a product that they just should not pass up. You can also place this banner on your social media platforms. You can make one on your own using a free online banner template.
Try To Save Money
When you have more money going out than coming in then it is more important than ever to be as fiscally responsible as possible. Look at your budget and determine where you are spending unnecessarily and cut back.
If you have cut back however you can and you are still struggling, then it may be time to look to financial assistance to help you get by until the COVID situation improves. To get what you need, you can turn to the government and apply for a small business loan. You can also go to a credit union or even a traditional bank.
In the unfortunate circumstance that you had to dissolve a business during this time and you are looking to reactivate, consider forming a limited liability corporation. When you form an LLC, not only can you have more flexibility and less paperwork, but you could also save some money via specific tax advantages. It is something to consider, and if you do, it is wise to procure the help of a formation agency like Zenbusiness as that will also save you on legal fees and you can make sure that the LLC was set up correctly.
Follow Safety Guidelines
If you run a physical storefront then you know that customers are still skittish about going into your location because they are frightened of getting sick. You can easily remedy that fear by having your employees become vaccinated and wear masks and ask that the customers do the same. That way, everyone feels a bit safer.
You can also use tech in this regard by allowing customers to pay with touch-free options such as PayPal and QR codes.
In addition to the pandemic, we are also dealing with a labor shortage, so you want to keep the employees you have for as long as possible. If they call in sick or say they feel ill, let them go home without a fuss so they can return when they feel better and you don’t have to spend time and resources on hiring new people that you may or may not find.
In the end, staying afloat during the pandemic is going to take a lot of compromise and trial and error, but by practicing these tips, you will make it through. If you need help turning your business towards the online landscape, contact Plus Six Solutions today.
