The world as we know it has changed dramatically over the past months and our beloved Coffs Harbour is no exception. However, there is a time limit to these extraordinary circumstances and a return to normal or possibly a ‘new normal’ is on the horizon.
In the meantime, we all have to ‘roll with the punches’ and adjust the best we can, for our families, our community and for our local businesses.
In this article, we look at ways to get your Coffs business website up to speed with the current situation. We give pointers of things to consider and try to show that the current Corona Virus threat also can harbour business opportunities.
Changes in the Status of Your Business
Of course, the most crucial detail is whether or not your business is still operating currently. Maybe your premises are closed, and you now work remotely? Maybe you have closed shop temporarily? Let your website visitors know of these important changes. A simple way to achieve this is by adding an easily noticeable banner or pop-up notification to your website. Usually, your home page would be the right place to do this but in some cases, it also makes sense to add a site-wide notice, especially if your website gets a lot of traffic through other landing pages which act as alternative entry points to your site.
Changes to Your Business Mode & Practices
Restaurants now offer takeaway and delivery options. Pharmacies provide choices such as curb side pick-up or drive-thru. How has your business adapted to the current development?
Make sure your website informs your audience about changes to the mode of your business. How does your business implement social distancing and health safety measures? By providing this information online you can reduce your or your staff’s workload having to explain the new measures repeatedly.
Availability & Communication Changes
Most Coffs Coast businesses have changed their opening times recently in light of the current crisis. The communication channels might also have changed. In-person meetings are often replaced by video conferences & online meetings. More services might now be provided via phone and websites.
This is crucial information that needs to be communicated to your customers as soon as possible to keep business processes running smoothly, remaining profitable and to avoid confusion and disappointment.
Making Your Adjustments Public
There might be 100s of places online where you currently provide information about your business. In the scope of this article we focus on what our team determined as the 4 most important locations that you should keep up to date as a matter of urgency:
1. Your Coffs Business Website
Your web designer should be able to sort this out for you or you can get in touch with us here at F1RST if you get stuck.
2. Your Social Media Accounts
Especially Facebook and LinkedIn need to be mentioned here. Log into those accounts and keep the business information reflective of your current business situation.
3. Your Google My Business Listing
For every location-based search such as ‘restaurant in Coffs Harbour’ the Google My Business listings show up providing key details about your business such as opening hours, location and contact information. If you can keep them spot on.
Online Opportunities For Your Coffs Business Website
Of course, the global health crisis bears major adverse effects on the economy and our local businesses face challenging times like never before. But let’s not get disheartened and focus on the fact that every crisis also brings new opportunities with it.
This might be a good time to reflect on your business processes and possibly streamline some aspects with the help of technology and online media.
Here are some buzzwords that we here at F1RST deal with regularly which might be worthwhile considering as next steps in the development of your company:
- Online Ordering / e-Commerce
- Online Appointment Booking / Calendaring
- Virtual Events / Live Streaming
- Blogging / Email Newsletters
- Social Media Integration on Your Website
- Social Media Video Advertising / Vlogging (Video Blogging)
In general: the process of moving business flows & processes from analogue to digital to online might allow your company to stay relevant in these difficult times but also might help you come out even stronger on the other side and into the future.
