Corona has restricted us in many ways for over a year now and we have had to deal with many ups and downs. Despite vaccinations, it is still unclear what will happen next. There is talk of mutations, vaccine shortages and high incidence rates.
But for the purposes of this article, we don’t want to focus on the negative. We want to present opportunities and look to the future within the framework of all eventualities – with confidence. Because the pandemic has hit many of us hard. Also from an economic point of view. Small businesses, private individuals, start-ups and much more. are facing financial challenges that did not exist before the pandemic.
Because there is hope and opportunity in the digital sector. It doesn’t have to be complicated or cost a lot and in most cases it will protect you beyond the pandemic. An investment in a long and secure future.
Find out with us in the course of this article what you can do to protect yourself financially and be ready for the unforeseeable times.
Why e-commerce?
There is a very specific reason why our focus in this article is on the e-commerce sector. Some of you may be wondering what makes e-commerce a miracle cure-all for us. There is no question that there is no cure. Instead, we stick to the facts and look at the big picture of what is happening in the world.
One very obvious reason is digitalization itself. Before the coronavirus pandemic, people’s surfing behavior had already increased significantly over the years. More and more users are using the Internet and diligently typing in search queries on their smartphones. If you are out and about on your bike and have a flat tire, the first logical reaction is probably to search for a nearby store on your cell phone and consult Google Maps.
This is completely normal and millennials or digital natives in particular are generations that are increasingly dominating us and represent the customers of today. An initial trend that has developed into a stable economic sector.
Corona shows this particularly clearly – if not more clearly than ever. Most stores are closed, services are limited to the bare essentials and people only leave the house to go shopping in absolute emergencies. Hardly anyone dares to leave the house, out of fear or solidarity. However, there is one place where the virus cannot reach without the risk of infection: the Internet.
Accordingly, this is also used diligently. Instead of cinemas, it’s streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime. Instead of strolling through the city, people are now browsing online stores. There are Click & Collects, delivery services such as Lieferando instead of restaurant visits. You understand. The Internet has almost no limits in terms of accessibility.
This is precisely why you should seize the opportunity and position yourself. The internet will remain relevant even after COVID-19 and is now more relevant than ever. So what to do?
It all starts with the website
A website is a must, we can’t emphasize that enough. Anyone who does not yet have a website at this time should change this as a matter of urgency. Googling for information is the most popular form of search and goes far beyond newspapers, libraries or word of mouth. People are comfortable and all they need is a smartphone and the Internet.
Create a presence that attracts attention. Show clearly who you are and what makes you special. Create a testemony that can be linked to your USP and dominate the search queries.
For example, if you are a bike handler, to stick with the example, then you should be the one at the top of the search results when people search for bicycles in your region.
A website is therefore not only a must, but also a basic foundation for all other e-commerce measures that will follow and one of the biggest sources of income par excellence. Don’t forget that anyone who discovers you on the Internet and has a good experience with you will not forget you after Corona.
Set up an online store
If you already sell products locally, you have probably found your new major source of revenue. If you have to keep your store closed but do not have an online store, selling the goods will be very difficult. Especially in times when it is unclear when we will return to a normality that allows stores to open.
An online store does not have to ask itself these questions and its sales are by no means stagnating. So don’t miss out on valuable returns and invest in the future. Restaurants that offer online delivery services are securing their existence; local stores that also deliver and take orders online are doing the same.
It is up to you to decide whether you face the unknown and hope for improvement or whether you take your future into your own hands and profit from it.
Run a blog
A very inconspicuous, but not to be underestimated measure to protect yourself financially. In fact, you don’t even have to commercialize your blog – quite the opposite. If you are worried that no one will read a blog that takes money for it, you can use it as a supporting medium for your website.
What do you need for this? A clearly defined target group, convincing content and consistency. Don’t let the blog be a once in a while, once a month. Try to regularly write topics that are relevant to your company and inform your customers with exciting content. Integrate special keywords and stand up to the competition.
Did you know, for example, that a well-run blog that implements all these critics can boost the website’s ranking in the search results? Google loves relevant content from which visitors benefit and naturally wants it to be seen.
With different blog posts, for example, you can serve various keywords and use niches to stand up to your competition. As you can see, a blog may seem inconspicuous, but it has a lot to offer.
And ends with search engine optimization
Are you possibly unsure about the implementation or are you sitting in front of this list and thinking: “Well, I’ve already tried all that, but it’s not working”? Then we would like to offer you one of the most important solutions that kills all these birds with one stone.
SEO or search engine optimization sounds very technical and Google-related at first. Many people do not suspect the scope of services and possibilities behind this term.
The great thing is, SEO doesn’t have to cost a lot and it adapts exactly to your needs. Many SEO agencies and experts offer special and individual packages for various services so that every customer really gets their money’s worth.
For example, some customers already have an online store, while others want to set up a complete website. SEO can do all of this and comes with further expertise. Then search engine optimizers know what is relevant for Google and what your problems are and come up with the right solution.
Did you know, for example, that almost nobody goes to the second page of a search query? Or websites that are not optimized for mobile devices are no longer displayed at all? These are many factors that have an unconscious effect on the fact that you run an online store, for example, but nobody seems to notice you.
SEO focuses on your visibility and your success. They should be seen and be at the top of the rankings. This happens through keywords, the creation of online stores, blog posts and designs. It even goes into real detail. SEOs take care of your URLs, internal links and their structures, as well as backlink building.
If you want to survive in times of COVID-19 and do so with flying colors, it doesn’t have to be due to a lack of expertise. An SEO agency listens to you, advises you extensively and will move you forward. In most cases, consultations are even free of charge.
The best thing about it all? SEO is also a craft of the future. Measures that you take now will still be visible in a year’s time and will continue to be so if you take good care of them. All you have to do is express your wishes and leave the rest to the SEO expert of your choice.
So don’t worry – together we’ll make it through the pandemic!