Why Should Your Local Business in Ireland Focus on Digital Marketing Now During COVID-19

Having a digital marketing plan for your company has become increasingly relevant over the years as customer behavior has shifted and technology has progressed.

Now, more than ever, business owners are facing unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences will continue to cause

major disruptions to more than half of the businesses across Ireland and

change consumer purchasing behavior indefinitely. It is in these moments of confusion and rapid change that a digital marketing strategy is crucial. In the wake of this pandemic, there will be companies that are able to recover and others that do not take the opportunity to adapt.

We believe it is a key time to invest your energy and effort in

building a digital marketing strategy during covid-19 that can support your business now and prepare you for speeding up in the future. To the business owners out there, there are just a few things you need to consider when it comes to your digital marketing strategy. We know that the stakes could not be higher for you and your company.

Moving with the tide rather than against it, it’s time to change for good

Most local businesses rely on foot traffic and word-of-mouth referrals to boost their customer base, which is why COVID-19 has been so detrimental to their profits over the last few weeks.

Many countries have issued "stay-at-home" and “Work-From-Home” mandates, which means that companies that revolve around the physical presence of consumers are not getting the traffic they need.

It is crucial that businesses adapt their marketing strategies to reach customers in the right place and at the right time. This is why digital forms of communication are so important.

Social distances may have created physical gaps between us, but they are connected to companies and customers in a whole new way. Consumers still need stores, home services, lawn care, pharmacies and other needs. In other words, they 're going to need your company and your services. While the future is uncertain, implementing a smart, sensitive and effective strategy that lets you connect rapidly and efficiently will make you more accessible to more customers and build long-term loyalty.

Are you open now? Have you changed your hours? Are the services provided differently? What steps do you take to protect consumers? Your customers deserve to hear that. Encouraging a transition from conventional to digital marketing would benefit you now and in the long run.

Planning your marketing strategy and resources wisely

You don't have to waste time being confined to your home (or office) during COVID-19. If your business is focused on serving the needs of your customers and the community, you have a tremendous opportunity to focus your energy on building a responsive and adaptive digital marketing strategy.

You may not have time to dive into research or implement new marketing strategies during your normal routine. Now is your chance to learn more about the behavior of your customers, listen to their needs and identify ways to better serve them through digital marketing.

It is also a good time to revisit your current marketing strategy. If you've developed your plan completely offline, consider layering in digital elements. You can do something as easy as building social media platforms or updating your website.

If your company has already started to combine digital and conventional marketing approaches, it is time to find a more creative approach. You can do stuff such as monitoring your website through Google Analytics, running social media ads, or keeping your company at the top of your mind by brand awareness campaigns.

While people stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, they will use the internet and online searches even more! You will keep up with shifts in customer behavior and be there when you 're looking for a company like yours.

Conclusion

Managing your business in the face of rapid change may be difficult, but it is not impossible if you adjust your current offerings and are flexible to the situation.

If you're not sure where to start when it comes to digital marketing, our team of experts are here to help! At Seen Digital, we're using a relationship-based approach and we want to develop your confidence.