The impact of COVID-19 on business. New solutions and opportunities for the transition of businesses online. E-Commerce prospects for your business. Online retail: where to start and how to promote your online business. 

The pandemic has changed our lives. According to pandemic proof states, small businesses suffer the most. But let's talk about the field of e-commerce. Before the quarantine restrictions e-commerce was gradually gaining momentum, then due to Covid -19 changes have accelerated at an insane pace. Digital marketing has suddenly become an integral part of the business. Going online is no longer just an additional opportunity to expand your customer base. This is a matter of survival for both small businesses and large market players.

Here are the statistics presented by Ernst & Young in the Future Customers Index survey conducted in early 2021 in the United States:

• 80% of consumers are actively changing the way they shop;
• 60% of consumers visit offline stores less than before the pandemic;
• 40% shop online more often than before;
• 26% of respondents plan to change their living in densely populated centers to remote areas with fewer people.

If we analyze the data on the EY Embryonic platform, we see an interesting trend. E-commerce has quickly evolved from a long-term 3-5 year perspective into an instant life jacket for small businesses. Promote your business online! So, we can briefly formulate the main slogan of the post-pandemic world.

B2B e-commerce and COVID-19: new solutions and opportunities

For B2B e-commerce, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges. The good news is that these challenges are creating new opportunities. You have already noticed these changes and opportunities when using e-commerce platforms for dropshipping or developing your services through a free website.

• If you make a shortlist of tips for B2B e-commerce, it will look like this:
• add maximum visualization to your business so that people feel involved;
• use the customer base to study consumer demand and behavior in online shopping;
• learn to make flexible decisions to respond quickly to external challenges.

Prescribe short-term prospects along with a long-term business development strategy. Consider different resources for working with small businesses and large companies. For example, your customer's digital marketing can be based not only on the website of the online store but also use the opportunities of Google My Business and cooperation on social networks. Get used to the fact that you live in a world of change, and this is the best time for new ideas. These ideas can give unexpected results, even if they are questionable at first.

Move your customers to the Internet

If you have a small business built in a limited geographical location, the quarantine pandemic has been a real challenge. The only opportunity to continue the business is the e-commerce crosspost. Move customers to the Internet and discover new opportunities.

Even if now is not the time to invest in digital marketing, don't stop. Start with a free website or representation at a global seller central. Communicate with customers online, study their requests and requirements, and create a basis for future decisions. It will also be difficult for your customers to go online at first. Help them do it easily!

How to work with existing customers online?

In difficult times, the true essence of not only a person but also a brand is known. Even small businesses have something to offer the customer in addition: from free delivery to entertainment content. What do your customers need right now? Use customer data to find the answer to this question.

Here is just a small list of business support for existing customers:

• discounts on necessary goods and services;
• free delivery to the doorstep;
• financial support in the form of deferred payments;
• community support in the fight against Covid-19;
• assistance to medical institutions and health care organizations;
• charity events for the most vulnerable members of the community.

Another example of how small businesses are coping with the challenges of the pandemic and reaching a new level is the launch of new online products. Foreign language schools or yoga studios have experienced this. Some failed and closed the business, while others learned new skills and launched full-fledged online products.

Communicating with consumers online is unusual at first. But still, try! Creating quality video content is not difficult. Many tools such as a screen recorder require neither investment nor special knowledge. You don't even have to learn communication skills in front of the camera. Create a story about your business on a computer screen and share it with your audience. Make it fun, exciting and easy!

Make sure your e-commerce platform meets customer needs

Small businesses can take their first steps online using a free website. But moving your business to the Internet is just the beginning. Gradually improve your customer service and sales platform. Do your best to make it convenient for the customer to buy from you.

There are 4 basic customer requirements for an online store.

1. The client wants to see accurate complete information in real-time.

2. The customer wants to make purchases easily and simply track orders.

3. The customer needs support for complex orders.

4. The customer needs access to their order history.

Digital marketing begins with quality service. Create it for your customers.

What to do to a small business that still does not have an online store?

If, despite all the challenges of the time, you only work in physical stores (how do you do it?), do not hesitate to go online. Do this in two steps.

Step 1. Use a free website to quickly start e-commerce. This will satisfy the existing demand of your customers.

Step 2. Study consumer behavior and gradually improve online services. Increase your customer base with digital marketing tools. Let's talk about how to do it later.

5 ways to promote online stores

1. Social media marketing. Due to quarantine restrictions, people are used to spending more time on social networks. Take advantage of this.

2. Email marketing. The efficiency of e-mails has increased by 30%. Yes, people are still browsing their emails.

3. Paid advertising in search engines. A proven way to attract the attention of potential buyers.

4. SEO optimization. Increases site traffic and help get a base of potential buyers.

5. Content marketing. Start a blog or newsletter. Create brand awareness and attract new customers.

Conclusion

Businesses need to be flexible in a world of constant change. If it is almost impossible to survive in the harsh conditions of quarantine restrictions in the real world, then the virtual world is still very loyal to start. Don't delay!