3 UPGRADES AND IMPROVEMENTS TO KEEP SMALL BUSINESSES AFLOAT AMID COVID-19

Rolandis Michele • April 13, 2021

Upgrades and Improvements to Keep Small Businesses Afloat Amid COVID-19

Now that it’s been over a year since the pandemic began, Yelp’s Economic Impact Report revealed in September that 60 percent of coronavirus-induced business closures will now be permanent. Breakfast and brunch establishments, gift shops, men’s clothing retailers, and food trucks have been hit the hardest, as well as bars and nightlife venues. However, businesses that adapt to the current situation will be more likely to survive and thrive as the pandemic continues on.

Let’s discuss three of the upgrades and improvements that can help small businesses to adapt and stay afloat throughout the remainder of the pandemic — however long that may be.

1. Business Technologies

To stay afloat as the pandemic wears on, now is the time to upgrade your business technology so you have everything you need to work effectively from home, sell your products and services online, and stay in touch with your customers, clients, and employees.

A new desktop computer, for example, will keep your personal information safe and secure — and equip you with the memory, power, and speed you need without breaking the bank. If you or your employees need portability, however, a laptop computer will be best.

In addition to desktop computers and laptops, other tech essentials for small businesses include webcams, all-in-one printers, digital cameras, and security systems for physical business locations.

Moreover, you’ll need a reliable internet connection if you’ll be working remotely throughout the pandemic. By upgrading your internet, you’ll experience ultra-fast speeds and minimal lag time for all your 4K streaming, web browsing, and video conferencing needs.

2. Enlist Professional Help

Staying afloat is one thing, but to reach your target audience online and continue to grow your business during the pandemic, you may need to enlist the help of Elev8 Strategy who can handle:

● Web development to create your business website or e-commerce store.

● Search engine optimization (SEO) to boost your search engine rankings and drive traffic to your business website.

● Content creation for your website, blog, social media pages, and other marketing materials.

In addition, a formation service can help you register as a limited liability company which means protection from litigation, reduced paperwork, and possible savings come tax time.

3. Contactless Payment Methods

To reduce contact and prevent the spread of COVID-19, now is the time to shift to contactless payment methods, even if you’re not operating online. Since contactless payments eliminate the need to enter a personal identification number (PIN), swipe a credit card, sign for a purchase, or pass a credit card from one person to another, contactless options are a whole lot safer amidst the pandemic — and they’re more convenient as well.

Some of the best contactless payment options include:

● Apple and Google Pay

● PayPal

● Venmo

For businesses with point-of-sale (POS) systems, Google or Apple Pay will be the easiest alternatives to traditional payment methods. For those without POS systems, however, Venmo and PayPal will be best. Bankrate offers some tips for getting started with Venmo, while this guide to PayPal credit card processing will help you to accept contactless payments via PayPal. If you use PayPal’s Commerce Platform, your business can accept a combination of PayPal, Venmo, and credit or debit card payments.

In Conclusion

To keep your small business afloat, you’ll need to make a few business upgrades and improvements — and it’s a good idea to enlist the help of several savvy professionals. If you need help affording these upgrades and improvements, be sure to explore federal, state, and private coronavirus relief options for small businesses.

Elev8 Strategy can take care of all your digital marketing needs to improve your online presence. Get started by completing this form!

Written by Julie Morris

Image from Pexels

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