Eager to get back to business? According to Alignable, COVID-19 negatively affected 85% of small businesses.
While consumer behavior isn’t likely to change overnight, there are steps small business owners can take to shift consumer spending back to your local community.
Our goal is to help you recover quickly. The following guide contains five small business strategies you can use to bring customers back sooner.
Back-to-Business Strategies
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- Communications
The key to successfully reopening is communication. Let your customers know you’re open for business in a variety of ways. Consider sending out an email newsletter, posting on social media, updating your local listings, and making sure your business phone greetings are all up to date. Furthermore, if you have a physical location, you can place an “Open for Business” sign in front of your store. - Health and Safety
When announcing your reopening, it’s important to simultaneously outline the steps your business is taking to ensure the health and safety of your customers. It could be as simple as creating an option “2” on your phone system’s auto attendant to inform customers about the precautions you’re taking. Does your business skew towards an older demographic? Consider opening an hour early to let high-risk individuals shop. - Partnerships and Referrals
Small businesses are stronger together. Now is the perfect time to grow your partnerships and referral programs. Whether you’re creating a refer-a-friend program, building relationships with affiliates, or partnering with other local businesses, you’ll be stronger in numbers. - Free Advertising
When money is tight, businesses must get creative and take advantage of every free advertising opportunity. Some of my favorite free advertising channels include Google My Business, Yelp, Yellow Pages, and Alignable. Once you create a profile, be sure to add photos, share promotions, and encourage reviews from your customers. But don’t stop there, make sure you’re added to every local directory in your area. - Online Store
To level the playing field with large retail giants like Amazon, Target, and Walmart, small businesses should seriously consider catering to online shoppers. Sites like Facebook, Etsy, and Shopify are small business-friendly and make it extremely convenient for customers to explore the marketplace and purchase your products.
- Communications
Keep Your Customers Informed
Above all, keeping your customers informed is the single most important step a business can take when reopening. The VirtualPBX Business Phone System provides the most streamlined way to manage your hours of operation, introduce new safety protocols, and lead customers to the right person or department at your business.
We’re here to take the stress out of reopening your business. Our team is standing by 24/7 to answer your questions and help you select a plan that fits your unique needs.
