Covid-19 has forced dramatic changes in the way people shop and conduct business. Overall internet usage has jumped by 70%. And smart phones represent 45% of that traffic.
With so many working from home and heavy dependence on the internet to communicate with the world and order basic necessities, it is a simple argument for boosting your online presence. Brick and mortar stores and restaurants must pivot to connect to their current customers and create new business. Online stores must be sure to present good information and make their store easy to use.
It must be easy to find your site and find important information on your business. Can someone find your website on their phone and click to call your business or click to send you an email? Today, it is almost certain that potential customers’ first impressions of your business will be from viewing your website. One of your goals should be to convert and engage with as many of those website visitors as you can.
Here are my suggestions:
- If you don’t have a website, you should put up a minimal site at once – with your basic contact information and hours.
- If your site is not responsive (doesn’t display well on all devices – especially smart phone), you need to upgrade your website so that it is easy to use on all devices.
- Review the content and make sure it is accurate and that all of the links on your website are functional.
- Make sure your website pages do not take too long to load.
- Add a Covid-19 section or page to your website.
- Redesign the front page of your website.
Even if you get most of your business from referrals, it’s likely that your potential new customer will review your website (and compare to other websites – perhaps better designed, more user friendly!) before choosing you.
