There is no doubt that the Covid-19 crisis has posed significant challenges for businesses all over the world. While a small proportion may have thrived due to increased demand for specific products and services, many are fighting to survive.

For business owners looking to make the best of a bad situation, here’s a guide to help boost sales and create a buzz in the Covid-19 era. 

Selling on the web

If you don’t already sell products online or promote your business via the web, now is the time to start capitalising on increased Internet usage and soaring online sales.

Statistics show that usage levels hit an all-time high during lockdown, and with physical stores closed, most shoppers turned to websites to stock up on supplies and indulge in retail therapy.

If your business sells products, offering an online ordering and delivery service is an excellent way to keep hold of existing customers and attract new clients while restrictions remain in place. Even if you don’t have products to sell, you can use the Internet to generate leads and boost sales.

Search engine optimisation, social media marketing and PPC can all help to expand your reach and introduce new clients to your brand. Google alone processes more than 60,000 searches per second, and 88% of smartphone users will either call or visit a local business within 24 hours of conducting a local search. 

Attracting interest online

We are spending more time online than ever before. Social media and search engines provide incredible opportunities for businesses to create leads, to attract interest and to engage with prospective customers.

If you’re not already using digital marketing techniques, it’s an excellent idea to consider diversifying your marketing methods to drum up interest online.

You can do everything from planning and live streaming virtual launch events for a new restaurant, product line or salon, for example, to selling your products directly through Instagram posts.

If you are organising an event, curate an online guest list, showcase your brand and product range through images, video clips and live streaming, and make the event memorable with a virtual photo booth.

You can use branded backdrops and then encourage guests to upload and share images on social media to introduce your business to more people and expand your follower base. 

Diversifying products and services

The Covid-19 crisis has contributed to falling incomes for many businesses, but it has also created new opportunities. People have changed the way they shop, which is great news for businesses that offer products and services online, and the demand for some products has risen steeply.

As a forward-thinking business owner, consider expanding or developing your products and services to cater to new trends. Many people will be working from home for the foreseeable future.

If you sell furniture, for example, and you can diversify your range to provide solutions for home workers or solve space issues, you could reap the rewards. Keep an eye on the headlines, look out for emerging consumer trends and monitor what your competitors are doing. 

Running a business is never plain sailing, but trying to steer the ship and stay afloat during a pandemic is particularly challenging. Hopefully, this guide will help you boost business in the months ahead.