7 Digital Marketing ideas small businesses can consider during COVID-19

By Gillsant Mlaseko ~ CEO Swahili Digital on 18 Apr 2020Business Development

Our world is facing a very serious challenge with the spread of the coronavirus, but there is hope on the horizon.

 

Businesses have been greatly impacted as the economy has taken a hit because of COVID-19. Grocery stores have been left with empty shelves while restaurants are like ghost towns.
It’s a unique opportunity for brands to unite together!

 

As a business owner, you’re likely looking for ways to survive the wave that has Tanzanians shifting their budgets. If you’re following the constant news updates about the coronavirus, you’re likely wondering if we’ll ever be able to leave our homes again. But this situation isn’t going to last forever. And your business isn’t closing.

Want proof? Look no further than where the coronavirus started. According to CNN, China is lifting travel restrictions and life is returning to normal. The coronavirus outbreak has largely been contained across China with lockdowns lifted and employees returning to work. China reported only few new cases of COVID-19. That’s a huge contrast to February when China reported thousands of new COVID-19 infections a day.

This should only be a small interruption for your business. And when normalcy does return soon, you don’t want to be left behind your competitors in a race to regain any potential lost revenue.

At a time when much has come to a standstill, business owners need to keep pushing forward with the reality that they will need to be positioned for a strong fiscal second half of 2020 to meet their revenue goals.

 

1. Connect With Your Customers on Social Media During a Critical Moment

We’re all dealing with the impact the coronavirus outbreak has had on our lives whether you’ve tested positive or not. We’re all taking precautions. We’re locked in our homes and our kids aren’t in school. We can’t visit our friends. We can’t eat at our favourite restaurants or go out to the movies. This is a time to really show empathy to others and help out where you can. This is a time we all need to be sensitive — and not too salesy or pushy — but it’s a great opportunity for your brand to stand out during a difficult time. More people are on social media now while stuck at home, scanning for updates and trying to stay connected in a suddenly isolated nation.

 

2. Make Sure Your Business Can Be Found Online

In case you haven’t noticed, more people are online right now than in their cars or walking the sidewalks. Search traffic has increased significantly over the past week and will continue to climb. We’re all glued to our computers and phones looking for updates within our community. We’re also looking for entertainment and ways to pass the time. For many, that includes shopping online.

Anything online right now will be consumed more than ever before. This is not the time to be hidden online. You should be using social media strategy. If your business is not on Instagram, facebook or Twitter the time is NOW! If your business is already on social media make sure you post your products consistently, be active and engage with your customers.

Other than social media there are other platforms you can list your products or services and customer can find you easy. Example platform like https://www.zoomtanzania.com/ or https://kupatana.com/ or https://inalipa.aymzz.com/ This marketplace comes with its own payment gateway and shipping  method.

 

3. Use online Advertising is a Smart Move Right Now

With more people at home in front of their screens, it’s a great opportunity for businesses to use online adverts to connect with their customers and gain a competitive advantage. Oh, and it’s a great chance to save some money within your digital marketing budget. On average, cost-per-clicks have decreased by 6 percent across all verticals since last week, according to Thrive senior PPC manager Jacob Wulff. And CPC is likely to continue to decrease in the coming week, reducing the amount of money an advertiser pays a publisher for every ad click. That gives your business another opportunity to scoop up that lost market share from others pulling back during this time.

 

4. Unique Circumstances Provide Opportunities for a Special Offer

During this uncertain time period, you have the opportunity to show support for your customer base by offering special discounts that will keep your revenue flowing. Identify your product-market fit and create a special offer. Many people are at home browsing, looking for discounts to save money during a time of unrest. It’s a great way to engage with your customers and keep a steady stream of revenue that will keep your doors open. You can push out your special offers through Instagram or Facebook advertising and google ads.

5. Be Prepared to Pivot as a Business and Inform Your Customers

In a fluid situation, your business should also be fluid. This is a time that you should find ways to connect with your customers like never before. It shows empathy and keeps you relevant at a time when your business may have been impacted by people staying at home. For instance, restaurants are shutting down right now because customers aren’t dining in. You should make sure you’re offering free delivery services. Just the other day, Hamu Restaurant posted on its social media offering three ways to get their food into their customers’ hands, let your customers know you’ve increased your sanitary practices and how you’re doing that specifically.

But other businesses should pivot right now, too, as we stay in. Gyms have closed their doors in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but why not offer online workout classes right now? Dentists could offer online consultations. Grocery stores should offer free pickup. All of these opportunities can be boosted with strategic social media campaigns.

 

6. Don’t Fall Victim to the Panic Move

How much sanitizer bottles do you have at your house right now? If your answer is a closet full, you’re likely one of the people who flocked to the store when the coronavirus hysteria started to accelerate over the weekend. That’s not how you want to react if you want to implement a smart digital marketing strategy. You never want to make a panic move. You always want to use metrics and analyse all of the data you have available before making a decision.

Knee-jerk reactions usually don’t end well in digital marketing. Take caution when quickly reacting to a sudden shift in the economy or market.

 

7. Use this Down Time to Finish Your Digital To-Do Lists

Now that you’re not commuting to the office or taking in-person meetings, your schedule has likely freed up some time for you. Those marketing items that may have fallen through the cracks and been overlooked can now be addressed.

Perhaps you need a website or your website needs a fresh look with a redesign. Swahili Digital website experts can overhaul your website in less than a month all while working remotely.

This is also a great time to have a Digital Marketing specialist perform audit of your social media accounts to ensure your contents or call-to-actions (CTAs) are turning leads into customers. Also, it’s an ideal time to do an SEO audit of your website to ensure you’re maximizing your optimization strategies.

 

By Gillsant Mlaseko ~ CEO Swahili Digital