10 Tips For Small Businesses Weathering The COVID Storm

Over the past month or two we have watched a lot businesses struggle to weather the virus storm. I’m watching about one or two Tucson business per week close up shop for good. Despite a 14% unemployment rate and a substantial decline in GDP, I have watched some businesses grow massively. Those businesses were ahead of the times and were able to adjust and adapt quickly. 

This article is about 10 actions that helped businesses prosper and even grow during these changing times. Most of these tips are going to help businesses prosper during coronavirus times AND normal economic times. It’s all about changing, adapting and prospering.

1. Having a simple, functional website. As consumers are stuck at home, they are going to the internet to search for what they need or want. Having a website that offers the product or service in a very direct and transparent manner helps big time. If you have an outdated website or don’t have a website at all, check out weebly.com. You can build a website that is as easy to build as a Facebook page. Costs on Weebly start at $10-20 per month.
2. Ditch the landline. Again, consumers are stuck at home and are contacting businesses by email, phone, or text. If you have a landline, you can only answer it in your office and can’t text. The millennial generation prefers to text. Ditch the landline and build you business on you cell phone. You can text pictures of your product to customers, send videos, and communicate more dynamically.
3. Start posting more and more on social media. For the third time, consumers are stuck at home, they are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter more than ever. Be relevant, post valuable content and do it every day. Don’t let your consumer forget who you are. Targeted advertising is another way to boost your social media presence. Paid boosts can also be done on Facebook for $5 or more. 
4. Create an email list and send an email each week, minimum. Your email list should be every past customer, potential customer and those who are active in your area of specialty. Make sure you’re adding an article of value to your customers. Stay relevant and don’t let the customer forget who you are. An email drip campaign is as easy as creating a Facebook page and can be done for less than $20. Check out mailchimp.com for mass emails and templates. 
5. Always pick up your phone. The customer has access to the internet and all of your competitors within 20 seconds. Answer your phone or they will just go online and find the next business. 
6. Contract with the big guys (Amazon, Grubhub, Yelp etc) I get it, they charge fees but they have the most powerful SEO and the downloads. A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush, especially in a down market.
7. A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. If a customer comes your way, get aggressive on the deal otherwise your competitor will. This is not a normal market and some income is better than no income. It’s going to become more competitive. 
8. Reduce overhead. Businesses with cheap rent, cheap advertising, smaller payroll can weather the storm. The businesses with high retails rents are going to suffer. The businesses that have back office or industrial rents are doing fine. Also, the businesses that advertise online are doing great as well because online ads are inexpensive and doesn’t require retail exposure. 
9. The ability to sell online. Consumers now realize they can sit at home, order groceries, clothing, takeout, and anything else they need. Now that they’ve been forced to use these apps, they will use them more in the future, virus or not. Make sure you are able to take orders on your website, over the phone or email. You can have an online store on your website for less than $40 per month and building it is just as easy as building a Facebook page. Visit weebly.com
10. Have control over production. Businesses that relying on overseas product are hurting. The supply chain has been affected. Look for other domestic companies that can produce your product or bring manufacturing in house. Lots of companies use are purchasing their own 3D printers, CNC machines, etc. If you have control or somewhat of a voice in the manufacturing process, you can innovate more and quicker. These times are changing so quick, companies need to be able to adjust their products yesterday. You can also create other products.