WTF: We’re All WFH

With the global spread of COVID-19, more and more businesses are shutting their doors and moving all commerce online. Chances are, if you’re reading this right now, you’re one of the thousands of workers now clocking in from couches, home offices and beds (guilty) across the nation. The COVID-19 pandemic has already sparked a massive swell in online purchasing and ordering, and an unprecedented demand for traditionally in-person services like fitness classes and schooling to go digital. As more and more of us are doing our part to “flatten the curve” and practice social distancing, we’re changing the way we socialize, eat, shop, exercise, learn and work. This pandemic is an unparalleled situation for every sector of the economy; seemingly overnight, having your products and services available online is crucial to the survival of your business. While much feels uncertain right now, this much we know—For the foreseeable future, the new frontier is mostly online. Connecting with customers both as a resource to them in these uncertain times, but also to continue making sales and keep your business afloat is crucial. So how do you step up your e-commerce game to meet the demand, without overdoing it when the pandemic ends? We have the answers.

It’s Not Forever

We don’t know how long this pandemic will last, or how long we’ll be feeling the economic and social ramifications. But we do know that COVID-19 won’t last forever. The time to prepare for the recovery curve is now. Preparing for business to resume once the pandemic is over might seem like a daunting task in the midst of implementing emergency protocols and reassessing budgets, but luckily, crucial updates can be made quickly to move your business’s activity online. That looks like:

• Kicking off your ecommerce efforts (or giving your existing ecommerce a major shot in the arm)

• Pivoting to create products that are helpful and in-demand in a digital application

• Planning for the future (i.e. a time when the Coronavirus pandemic has subsided)

Setting Up (Online) Shop 

The Coronavirus pandemic has truly shown us the importance of e-commerce. Businesses that are able to quickly pivot and offer services remotely, such as gyms and yoga studios offering virtual classes or grocery stores offering online delivery, are able to stay afloat even during a citywide lockdown. If your business does not yet have an online presence (or your website does not currently have e-commerce functionality) now is THE time to get your website up to speed. If the thought of charging into a website expansion feels too daunting right now, a time and budget-friendly alternative is setting up shop through Facebook and Instagram—and if you’ve got the bandwidth, doing all three would be even better! Every business should be taking advantage of the e-commerce features these social networking platforms provide, especially now when we’re looking to put as few barriers between consumers and products as possible.

Building Your Community 

Getting your brand up and running on social media is just as important. Now more than ever, clients and customers are turning to social media for updates on closures, shipping information, product availability and more. Social media is an immediate and effective way to communicate with and support your customers, and alert them of any new developments or changes in your operations. It’s also a great place to run ads, announce promotions or sales, test the waters and poll your followers on new products or services they’d like to see, and offer support as we navigate this global situation together.

That said—it’s not enough just to post on your feed. Sadly, these days somewhere between 5-15% of your followers will even see something you post on Instagram, let alone engage with it. Don’t leave your results to chance. Allocate some budget to promote your work to be sure that your  target audience actually sees it.

Pivoting Your Products 

Content that replaces in-person interactions like online workout videos, livestreamed lectures or Telehealth virtual counseling sessions has become the new standard. At Heart, our focus has shifted too—when the news of the novel Coronavirus first hit, our Culinary Team immediately got to work compiling an ebook of recipes that use only shelf-stable pantry staples. We put our heads down and started turning out blog posts like this one to disseminate information and best support our clients as we navigate this pandemic together.

Planning For A Post-Pandemic Future

When you’re deep in the weeds of crisis management, trying to shift your business model to incorporate (or even rely on) e-commerce overnight, planning for a post-Coronavirus future might seem like an extra step. We get it––taking care of your business, your employees, your coworkers and colleagues, as well as your families and yourselves during this immediate crisis is a monumental challenge. But daunting as it may seem, looking toward the future, and doing it now, is crucial for the long term survival of your business. The time to prepare for the recovery curve is now, and that means thinking about what you need to have ready the day COVID-19 is no longer a global pandemic. When the shelter in place orders are lifted and business begins to resume more normally, what systems and practices do you need to have on standby so you can jump into gear?

Heart Creative