What 2020 Has Taught Us About Small Business Marketing
2020 has forced business owners to face new challenges, adapt quickly and use new technology to keep afloat. It hasn’t been easy, but there are many lessons small businesses can take away from this year.
You have to be able to change your business information on the fly
From shifting your business hours to account for unexpected closures to changing your menu and adding take-out options, many businesses have had to change their business information during this time.
When these changes happen, it’s important to let your potential customers know. Nobody likes showing up to a closed business or trying to order off an outdated menu.
Tools that let business owners quickly update their business information across their online entities, like their website, Facebook page and Google My Business profile, have proven extremely useful during this time.
Our Listings app makes it easy to control your online business information, all from one place.
Flexibility matters
This year has solidified the importance of being able to adjust your business and marketing strategies on the fly. Whether that means pausing your Google Ads campaign to conserve cash, updating your website to highlight your new product or service offerings or moving from an SEM-focused to an SEO-focused strategy, businesses that could be flexible with their marketing campaigns and budgets had a leg up on the competition last year.
Looking forward to 2021, plan your marketing strategy with flexibility in mind, and choose a marketing platform or agency that can quickly adapt to your needs.
Marketing 360® doesn’t just offer the apps you need to run your business — our team of talented designers, copywriters and SEO experts can help you strategize your next move.
Technology is key
In 2020, social distancing measures made many businesses have to re-think how to service their customers safely. Many small businesses have had to shift to models they’ve never used before.
For restaurants, that meant more outdoor seating, to-go options and new menu items, like family meals and bake-at-home packages.
Retail stores also had to adjust. From building new online shops and offering curbside pickup to using mobile card readers, some retail stores got creative in order to safely service their customers.
Marketing 360®’s payments allow businesses to accept payments in person or online, send invoices, create subscription plans, launch online stores and more — and it takes less than five minutes to create a free account.
It’s important to give back
The uncertainty of 2020 has impacted many small businesses. The loom of more shutdowns is on every business owner’s mind. Some furloughed employees are left wondering how they are going to pay rent or afford their next meal. There’s no way to sugarcoat it — this year has been hard for many people.
But, there is light in the darkness. Many small businesses have stepped up to help their communities in times of need. From restaurants offering free meals, gyms offering complimentary on-demand fitness classes to countless fundraisers for those in need, people have banded together throughout these tough times.
If your business offers similar help, make sure your community knows. Even if they don’t need assistance right now, they might know someone who does. Connecting with your community through social media, email marketing or your website is a great way to reach those in need.
Marketing 360®’s Nurture app and Social app let business owners easily create and schedule emails and social posts, so you can reach your most important audience.
About Marketing 360®
Our mission is to help businesses grow and local communities glow. We’ve designed our marketing platform to do just that. From our Listings app and payments solutions, to our talented team of designers and marketing experts, we help business owners market their business so they can get back to what matters most: their customers.
