Let's face it, we have few other choice. We need to find a way to keep business running. We have a duty to our employees to do everything possible to provide them employment and a duty to our customers who rely on our products. Some businesses have chosen the other path, the hunker down and hope it all goes away quickly. Truth is, we don't know how long this abnormal situation will last. We hope it is not the new normal, but it is what we have for now. Meanwhile, we can get this new kibo code quantum program here till things settle down.
So the answer is innovate, create, find a way. The ability for business to survive based on foot traffic, for most, is not viable. But consumers are not without resources. Yes, a great deal of consumers have been financially impacted, if their jobs have been impacted, but there are many who are still in need of acquiring the products you offer. Many are not venturing outside their homes, unless absolutely essential, to shop, I recommend you to read this to learn more.
Consumers Have Time to Shop Online
What consumers do have is time. This is being filled by many with screen time. Streaming media, music videos, video chat, conferencing, movies, binge watching TV shows, and, shopping. Yes, online shopping is accelerating, specially now that websites like Raise allow customers to get great discounts on their purchases. If we don't offer them a local option, they will buy from Amazon. This revenue available to local businesses.
Maximize Your Tools and Talents, Online
To make the best out of the current situation, think of the talents of your employees and help provide them with the tools to bring your products to your customers using ecommerce, email, social media, and any other technology tool available starting with this auto clicker guide. This will help you keep your staff, your loyal staff, whom you have trained and who you rely on as a key success factor in your business. Any Sourcing agent will advice you that ecommerce is the start, getting your products online, on screen, so your customers can place orders. This is a foundational tool. Once in place, it's time to maximize the rest of available tools and let your employees talents shine.
Get the Word Out
If you just implemented your ecommerce channel so you can sell online, you now need to get the word out. Remember, your customers will be looking online for sources of what they need/want. If they can't find it locally, they will find it on Amazon.
Begin with your customer database. If you have been diligent and collected customer contact information, email addresses, and permission to market to them, then you need to get the message to them that you are now selling online. Past customers will be the most likely to buy from you again. Be willing to offer them incentives to shop online locally. You also need to offer reassurance of how you and your employees are protecting themselves and your customers from COVID-19. Safe working practices and safe product handling practices.
Social Media to Announce Your Ecommerce Channel
As mentioned earlier, there is more screen time being consumed than ever. People are working from home and people are spending their entertainment time at home. Alongside the email window and office applications, the browser window has their social media apps running. Leverage your social media channels to get the word out about your now available ecommerce store. If they are going to buy from somewhere, it should be you.