SEO BLOG

2020 isn’t done with us yet.

We have had a tumultuous year with Covid-19 and government forced mass quarantine that put many small businesses and individuals in very precarious situations.  Our economy is slowly coming back, people returning to work and life scratching to get to some level of normal.  Unfortunately, this year isn’t quite over.

The coming election is monumental and nerve-wracking for many – the outcome may decide if we face ANOTHER quarantine in the beginning of 2021.  Most fear another lock-down will result in the financial collapse of our country.  For business owners, the fear resides in being able to survive another lock-down.  With this in mind, have you taken the right steps to ensure you CAN thrive if there is a round 2?

If you haven’t yet or have only put half the effort in to securing the fate of your business online – SHAPE UP.  What Coronavirus restrictions have taught us is that – in times of severe difficulty and trouble – the world relies more on technology and the internet than once believed.  Here’s a quick checklist on what you need to beef up or strengthen to stick around…

• Social Media – A major lifeline for customers and employees who feel lost and isolated during quarantines.  Checking in, delivering content that provides value, clarity, entertainment or personal connection is critical.  Connecting and nurturing your customers is more likely to endear them to your brand and have them shopping with you in and out of pandemics.
• Website – This is the main impression of your brand on the world as well as the first place a current or potential customer will navigate to.  Make sure your site has top-notch security (especially if processing customer information), is easy to navigate and find answers, eliminates clutter, provides fast service and loading times.  This is also the time to spruce up your portfolio, store or product pages.  Testimonials, better packages and pricing options, share information or product demos and provide helpful industry tips that can make things easier, faster or solve a customer’s problems.
• Integration – Yes – your brand needs to be consistent across all platforms, blogs and websites but you should also have maximum connection.  Integrate all necessary tools across the board so customers can easily subscribe to blogs, newsletters, social media platforms, etc.
• Voice – Branding is everything.  Yes – you should have a consistent and recognizable logo, colors and font but the voice of your brand is critical.  This is how you speak and connect with your customers – ESPECIALLY during a pandemic.  Keep things fun, light and compassionate.  Don’t stay too serious – your clients need a little breather from reality – but don’t deliver non-stop fluff – customers want to know that you care and are there for them.  Work on deepening your relationships with customers at all times because this bond, this loyalty, is what will pull your business through quarantines, recessions and whatever else is thrown at you.

While there are plenty of other areas you can fine-tune and solidify online, these are a few of the most important, as the recent quarantine has made painfully clear.  What it comes down to is your customer – how they feel and what they experience with your brand.  Keep those relationships strong, form all online strategy around improving their experience and providing insight and they will keep you around for years to come.