Times are hard! Nearly every facet of society has been disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis. While self-isolation and social distancing measures are in place to help curb the spread of the virus—they also present huge economic ramification.
According to industry reports, few businesses—if any—have been hit as hard as small local businesses that rely on foot traffic from the surrounding community. This includes your local café, bookstore, retail store, restaurants, nail salons, fitness studio, and other establishments that are characterized by human contact.
To ensure their survivability, some of these local businesses are exploring the online marketplace. For example, it’s not uncommon to find a small business looking for a digital marketing agency in Los Angeles County in an attempt to establish an online presence.
As these local businesses do their best to stay afloat, the least we can do is to support them in any way we can. Here are some suggestions.
1. Buy Online Gift Cards for Family and Friends
One way to inject some financial help to your favorite local shop is by buying gift cards for later use. It also shows appreciation, while limiting human interaction.
But to prevent the “Groupon” effect—whereby too many gifts are issued, leading to revenue problems—it’s best to buy from local businesses that are not in operation. For those that are still open, you can simply buy their services or products.
2. Shop or Experience Their Online Store
You can also visit your favorite stores to shop locally or request home deliveries to directly support them—but ensure you observe social distancing regulations and wear a face mask.
And if they’ve switched to an eCommerce strategy—like millions of other small businesses in the U.S.—ensure you visit their online stores. If foot traffic is no longer possible, at least provide online traffic for your favorite local businesses.
3. Simply Check-In and Make Their Day
Even if you don’t intend to buy anything, checking-in occasionally goes a long in offering moral support. It’s important to let the business owners know that you’re all in this together as a closely-knit community. You could also offer expansion/survival tips such as suggestions to some of the best digital marketing services Los Angeles County to help with their online strategies.
4. Write Positive Review on Google, Yelp, etc.
The times are hard for all of us. If you’ve also been hard hit and you’re not in a position to offer financial help, you can leave great online reviews for social proof of their awesomeness. One positive review could potentially create the ripple effect the local business needs to generate leads more than ever before.
5. Share One of Their Social Media Posts
As you observe social distancing and stay-at-home regulations, use that extra free time to share social media posts of your favorite local businesses. This creates brand awareness and may encourage others to rally behind you in supporting the businesses.
Digital Marketing Agency in Los Angeles County
If you’re a small business owner or a loyal customer to a local business in Los Angeles, consider leveraging some of the best digital marketing services Los Angeles county to grow your online presence and generate considerable traffic.
Agencies such as Be Social Be You as well-equipped and knowledgeable in the best tools and best practices to thrive in the online marketplace—and this might be just what your favorite local business needs to stay afloat.