Five Things You Can Do to Help Your Customers Navigate the "New Normal" and Find Your Business

After a long quarantine, it’s fun to go out for food and drinks taking the recommended precautions. But it can also be overwhelming. 

The world looks a little different and it’s challenging to navigate the “new normal”. Businesses have changed their services, hours, and protocols. 

Nowadays many people rely on social media to stay updated. Here are five things you can do to let your customers know that you are ready for business:

1. Update Your Website

• Update your products and services. Now more than ever we are ordering and shopping online. Provide a seamless and stress-free online experience.
• Add a visible section indicating your business hours, phone number, address, phone number. 
• I recommend creating a separate page with all the COVID-19 updates. Make it easy for your customers to find related information in one single place. 
• Add links to your social media profiles. 

2. Update Your Online Presence

• Update your business hours, phone number, address, add fresh photos on Google/Bing Business. Do the same on Yelp, Facebook, and Instagram profiles.
• Make sure that your information (such as phone number, business hours) is correct and consistent across platforms. It seems obvious but it would surprise you to find how often this is not the case.
• Update your voicemail. Inform if you are open and what are your business hours. 

3. Use Your Platforms to Keep Your Customers up to Date 

• Keep the content on your social media platforms fresh. 
• Post twice or three times a week to let your community know what’s new, what you are offering, what to expect. 
• Social media platforms are very visual. Use attractive images. They do not have to be professional but make sure that they have good lighting and are attention-grabbing. If you are using video, add captions. 
• Do not have enough photos? No problem! Encourage your community to take pictures, videos, and write reviews. Ask them to share and tag your business. In essence, they will be sharing their experience and spreading the word on your behalf.

4. Keep the Communication Open 

Respond to all comments and questions when your community reaches out on your social media platforms.

Engage with your community. Be personable, relatable, friendly. A business with a human touch generates more confidence and trust. Trust is essential to building relationships.

5. Email List

If you have taken the time and effort to build an email list take advantage of it. Email marketing is one of the primary drivers of traffic to your website. It's also the main way to connect with your customers.

Well, there you have it. Businesses are beginning preparations to reopen (or have already reopened). Customers prepare to go out and explore. This quick list can help you to keep them informed about your new hours, protocol, products, services, and what you are doing to keep your employees and them safe.