Keep Your Customers Informed During the COVID-19 Crisis. Here's How...

In a world where it isn't currently "business as usual", it's important for both businesses and customers to be adaptable. With most consumers under strict stay-at-home orders, only leaving home for essential duties or errands, we're seeing a shift in how businesses are both communicating with and offering their products or services to their customers. Now, more than ever, it's important for businesses to provide regularly updated information on whether or not they are open for business, if they have product available, if they have changes in production or lead times, if they are following the recommended CDC guidelines, etc. So how can you ensure that you are providing your customers with most up-to-date information regarding your business? Here are a few tips, plus some freebies we're offering (yay free stuff)!

Google My Business Listings

Most users go straight to Google when trying to find information online, so you definitely want your Google My Business Listing up-to-date with any changes to your business operations listed. Have your hours changed? Are you only providing certain products/services? Is your phone number listed correctly? Have you outlined what precautions you're taking in regards to the COVID-19 crisis? Make sure to update your listings across all platforms including Bing, Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.

Google has recently implemented Duplex, it's AI assistant to help confirm hours of operation for users looking up businesses on Google Search or Maps. But why not be proactive? You can manually update your hours or post temporary closures to keep your customers informed. Did you know what you can create Posts on Google as well? These posts show up in both Google Search and Maps and remain live for 7 days (but can be extended to 14). Keep your customers informed and give them confidence that the information they are seeing is relevant by posting on a regular basis.

Social Media Platforms

Have all of your social media platforms been updated? Just like your Google My Business Listing, all of your social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) should reflect the same information and updates. A lot of consumers have been finding that they have a bit more time on their hands to browse the internet, scroll through social media posts, etc. So make sure you're staying relevant and are providing your followers with accurate information.

Your Website

How has your business been impacted by the current crisis and what are you doing to adapt? Publishing how COVID-19 has impacted your current business practices on your website is a great way to let customers know how you are keeping both your employees and customers safe (i.e. curbside pick-up, sanitation practices, changes in shipping or lead times, etc.). This may mean posting a short blurb letting customers know that it's "business as usual" on your homepage or, if your business has been significantly impacted, creating a dedicated web page may be needed. Let your customers know your current situation and be sure to update it as necessary.

We're In This Together

We are all feeling the impact of this global pandemic in one way or another. Remember, these are all changes that you can make for free to help your business and keep your customers updated with the most current changes. If you need help with updating your Google My Business Listings, social media platforms, or website please reach out. We are here to help, free of charge. Just shoot us an email: kate@sullivanmarketingco.com