Many small business owners are quickly finding that their existing business plan simply doesn’t work under the new restrictions imposed by state governments during the Coronavirus pandemic. Owners and managers have already been scrambling to create new best practices and business plan modifications which will be sustainable as new government restrictions are handed down daily. Shelter-in-Place orders are also being imposed, such as the Stay-at-Home order handed down by Mike DeWine for the state of Ohio scheduled from Tuesday March 24, 2020 through April 6th.
Is my business essential according to the government? Can my employees work from home? How do I let my existing or potential new clients/customers know how to do business with us during this pandemic and in the future?
The methods in which a small business chooses to attempt to continue to bring in revenue depends on the type of business, and availability of resources. Even if a business is able to re-gear to meet the challenging needs of the new government restrictions, and health hazards, they still have to get the word out. For example: Bars and restaurants were one of the first groups of businesses to be ordered closed to the public. Restaurant and bar owners immediately began to determine their allowed business activities, and effectively became carry-out and delivery services for food as well as drinks. In this way, they could keep some staff working and generate some revenue at the same time. While many have websites and heavily utilize social channels, those fully dependent on signage and foot traffic must explore and utilize new online marketing channels in order to get through these difficult times.
As with any change in a business model, getting the word out is essential. In a time where everyone is asked and even ordered to “stay home”, a company website, social media channels, and other online advertising methods can be the difference between survival and shuttering the doors. We are also finding that due to the changes in business models, the websites need to be versatile and able to accommodate and even promote the business model changes. For example: an attorney may look to add online scheduling to their practice, while a restaurant may seek to add online ordering and payments. Once we are through this crisis, it will be interesting to see how many businesses maintain the new business models they are being forced to create or at least maintain that model as a new channel of business.
At RBiZ Marketing LLC, we are working through this crisis and are dedicated to helping local small businesses, whether the business is local to us in Columbus, Ohio or local to any other US city. Since we work remotely, we are able to offer online consultations and are working hard to assist businesses in getting or upgrading their web presence and online marketing in order to meet the new needs brought on by the Coronavirus outbreak. Understanding that there is limited time to react in order for some business to survive, we are also geared to rapidly release websites for clients who have more immediate needs. We are a local business, and are here to support other local businesses.
RBiZ Marketing, Our Business is Marketing Your Business Online!
