According to John F Kennedy, 35th president of the United States, the word crisis when written in Chinese is composed of two characters, the first character means danger and the other opportunity.
While 2020 was a tough year for many business owners, especially small businesses, we saw many business owners take it in their stride and use the opportunity to reinvent their companies and find innovative ways to ensure that they stay in business.
More businesses have gone online, boosted their IT infrastructure and adopted digital forms of marketing.
In this article, we look at some of the opportunities that the COVID-19 crisis has presented and how small businesses can take advantage of them in 2024.
Digital Opportunities
The events of 2020, including the lockdown, have resulted in more businesses stepping into the digital world. With consumers taking extra precautions to ensure their safety, small businesses need to find additional ways to reach customers beyond traditional marketing. More consumers are looking for different ways to engage with brands, as well as buy and pay.
One of the most efficient ways for small businesses to create a digital presence is by selling online via eCommerce stores to reach a wider audience and increase sales. Marketplaces such as Serv also help connect businesses with their customers which offers some of these benefits: increased brand awareness, increased sales, web traffic and so much more.
Marketing
The devastating impact of COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of marketing and thoroughly engaging with your target market. Content marketing and staying top of mind have come to the forefront. Customers are watching brands and businesses carefully right now, taking note of their response to the pandemic and the message they are sending. Consumers want to know that the brands they are aligned with care.
The most popular and safest way to do this right now is through the use of digital channels such as social media which is also a great way to engage with your customers and find out what they are looking for.
IT Infrastructure
There has been a total shift in how businesses operate. Businesses have had to rely on IT infrastructure more than they have had to previously. Given that most businesses had to close and work remotely, the adoption of certain technologies such as video platforms means businesses have to ensure that their IT requirements, such as cyber security, WIFI connectivity, etc. are taken care of.
Ensure that your IT infrastructure is reliable. Several businesses can act as consultants in the field of IT, who can ensure that your business is using the right technologies for efficiency and ensure that the business is cyber secure.
How Serv Can Help You
The benefit of signing up to the Serv marketplace is that leads or potential customers come to you. Once you have secured your leads all you have to do is convince them to choose your business over your competitors.
Serv gives small B2B businesses a platform to shine and compete with big corporations. Join Serv Now for as little as R150 per month and get qualified leads straight to your inbox.
