It’s no lie that many businesses have struggled massively over the pandemic. However, this is not all bad news and has allowed some of them to improve. Firstly, they have been able to improve on the services that were available to them, sometimes through the necessity of having to use alternate companies. This has taught them what their businesses really do and don’t need, which can make all the difference when it comes to budgeting.
Secondly, they have learned how much of an asset social media has been for them, as it is an international and free source of publicity. Thirdly, they have learned how important it is to meet the customer’s expectations and have seen how important customer loyalty really is.
In addition to this, they have also learned how important it is to invest in the best delivery service, as the first time a client will see the product in person will be after the purchase, meaning that it cannot be damaged in any way and cared for along the whole production line. Lastly, they have found how important it is to invest in cybersecurity due to the sudden increase of cyberattacks on small businesses during the pandemic.
For that reason, here is how these things can help your business after the pandemic and keep your customers coming back for more.
#1 Using software to multitask more effectively
When it comes to discovering what they do need and what they don’t need, businesses have had something of a revelation. This is typically when they have been forced to find alternatives which have turned out to be a lot more helpful and cheaper to them – which has benefited many businesses greatly, whether this has been finding cheap apps on their phone, using tools for communication across long distances, or simply helping managing monthly tasks that can take up a lot more time than they should, such as their payroll.
Sourcing the correct software to help with this has been crucial for some business owners due to the lack of staff. It has made the pandemic’s effects far more manageable and has proved to be a powerful tool well after the pandemic and can help businesses expand and multitask far more efficiently.
#2 Using social media to reach international audiences and improve online presence
Using social media to reach international audiences and improve your business’s online presence can be a great way to get your business ‘out there’. Here are some of the ways that social media can help your business.
- It provides low-maintenance advertising and exposure. For example, you can update your social media every couple of days with a quick photo, a small caption, and some hashtags. It doesn’t have to be anything massively amazing, but it can be enough to make your business look great to the public.
- It can help you spread the word of competitions and campaigns, which can help you interact with your customers on a far more personal basis. This can be incredibly important for growing your brand identity and association with your potential and current customers.
- Social media influencer marketing is a great way to generate hype for a product launch and to sell your products on a trust that has already been built, meaning that potential customers will be more likely to buy from your business. This can be a huge asset to you and can be a great way to build connections within the industry.
#3 Tools that help with customer loyalty
Tools that help with customer loyalty, such as customer swag and reward programs, are an excellent way to get your business’s customers to return for more. This is great as it helps with many different ways of appealing to customers. Some customers like discounts, others like getting surprised freebies with their parcels. By utilizing both to your advantage, you are likely to appeal to a wide range of customers, which means that you are far more likely to get customers who will happily pay for a larger number of products or return after some time.
#4 The importance of delivery quality
If the pandemic has taught businesses one thing, it is that the delivery of an item is one of the most important steps within the whole process. Even if the package leaves your warehouse looking perfect, if it turns up at your customer’s door broken, damaged, or missing, it will be blamed on your business, and even if you do say that it was the courier’s fault, they are likely to still hold you responsible.
This is why you need to invest in the best couriers in your area and know truthful ratings of an accumulation of jobs. Looking at hiring sites might still be something that you are wary of, but they can be the most reliable places to pick up the best brokers, shippers, and couriers for your business.
You will also need to make sure that the courier that you choose will handle your package with care and that they are also a safe driver. You don’t want something like a bad driver representing your business in part, as it can be a stain you might not be able to get rid of, especially if the courier gets into an accident when carrying your parcels and it’s their fault, by checking on review sites before investing your time and money in these couriers.
#5 The importance of investing in cybersecurity
The importance of investing in cybersecurity should be inarguable due to how massively damaging it can be to businesses of any size and their customers too. However, for some small businesses, it was taken as more of an option that they would never take. This has proved to be essential over the past few years as the increase of cybercrime has been massive. Almost as many businesses have fallen victim to cybercrime as they have to bankruptcy over the pandemic, which is why all businesses must invest in it.
James Daniels is a freelance writer, business enthusiast, a bit of a tech buff, and an overall geek. He is also an avid reader, who can while away hours reading and knowing about the latest gadgets and tech, whilst offering views and opinions on these topics.
