Having recently launched a business seems to be not a good thing. The global pandemic brought by the COVID-19 crisis can cause negative repercussions in your startup. Not only will you find it hard to sustain your small business, but you’ll also have a hard time getting customers and growing your business.
But there are ways you can grow your business—even in the midst of a pandemic. Whether you have a brick-and-mortar store or an e-commerce business, you can find ways to cope with the current situation and even scale up your business. That said, here are five practical ways to grow your business amid a pandemic.
1. Ensure your web presence
Having your place in the digital world has now become more important than ever. This is because the pandemic has forced people to stay at home and surf online. Whether you have an online or a physical store, you must have a website as a digital representation of your business. But what good is a visually appealing and highly functional website if it can’t be found online? That is where search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) come into the picture.
Both digital marketing strategies are meant to increase your business’s online visibility and website traffic. But while SEO aims to put your business on the top ranking of the search engine results pages (SERP), PPC endeavors your ads to be displayed on top of SERP. The difference lies in the fact that SEO is for organic search while PPC is a paid advertising.
2. Build your brand
If you’re looking to scale up and grow your business, branding is the key. When it comes to branding, take note of two key aspects. First, ensure that your brand clearly represents your business image and identity. Second, make sure that it resonates well with your target market. That’s how you go about building your brand.
The best course of action is to hire a public relations company. They can help build your brand, promote your products or services, and maintain your business reputation. Their industry knowledge, experiences, and expertise levels will help your business grow, even amid a global pandemic.
3. Take advantage of social media
There’s no denying the impact of social media on people and businesses. Not only are these channels used for personal purposes, but they are utilized for businesses as well. With over 3.78 billion social media users worldwide, your small business can expand its reach and cater to as many clients as possible.
Create social media profiles for your business, whether on Facebook, Instagram, or even TikTok. Strive hard to increase your following and consistently publish relevant content pieces. Make sure to engage with both your regular customers and potential clients by responding to the comment fields, answering their queries, and addressing their concerns.
4. Invest in business tools and technology
Today, tools and technology are vital for business, whether a small-scale or big company. Even as a startup, you must consider investing in these to keep up with the changing times and have a competitive edge. You’ll be surprised at how these tools will help scale up your small business, even in the midst of a global pandemic.
There are different apps or software you can take advantage of. One example is automation that will help you launch effective digital marketing campaigns. Another example is the use of a chatbot that takes over websites and facilitates customer support. Accounting software will also help manage your small business finances. Even updating your online security package will protect your business from cyberattacks.
5. Establish an online community
The majority of people are hooked up online, either having personal interactions or conducting business transactions. As such, your small business must capitalize on this trend during a pandemic.
Be sure to create an online community for your business, whether on your website, social media groups, or other digital platforms. Your goal is to reach out to as many customers as possible. Along with this is to build meaningful relationships with them and create a community of loyal supporters.
The global pandemic doesn’t have to stop your business from growing. You just need to be resourceful, hardworking, and resilient given the current situation. All it takes is to ensure your web presence, build your brand, use social media, invest in technology, and set an online community. By doing so, you’ll not only keep your small business afloat, but you’ll also be able to scale it up for the long term.
