When the coronavirus spread across the world, a lot of industries were left handicapped, especially the business sector. Businesses were forced to shut their operations down to help prevent the further proliferation of the COVID-19 virus.
But the situation wasn’t something that could be addressed simply through short periods of lockdowns and enhanced restrictions. The prolonged inactivity made it difficult for companies that rely on foot traffic or word of mouth to function efficiently, leading to significant economic losses.
The dilemma left many scrambling for a solution to stay afloat and keep their business from permanently closing, however, they found an answer to the predicament through the adoption of digital marketing strategies. Not only did it enable businesses and enterprises to operate during the pandemic, but it also allowed them to connect to more people.
Although digital marketing has done a lot for businesses during this global health crisis, it’s natural for some to still feel reluctant to embrace a digital approach when it comes to business. After all, it’s something that’s only flourished recently. However, you can always reach out for professional help if you find expanding your brand online to be daunting. Digital marketing experts and social media management agencies in the Philippines are abundant so finding the right partner will not be difficult.
To further erase your doubts and help you better understand the positives that going online can offer, we’ve listed down the main reasons why businesses need to develop their digital presence during the pandemic.
It’s where the customers are.
When the pandemic was at its peak last year, a lot of activities that we were used to doing daily were rendered not possible, especially those that require us to go out of our homes. And due to that, traditional forms of marketing (E.g billboards, flyers, and signboards) and business (physical stores and outlets) were left ineffective when it comes to attracting new consumers and selling products or services.
Because people were unable to go out, they spent the majority of their time online—more so than ever before. With that said, it’s only natural for businesses to shift operations online to accommodate the ever-expanding digital population—where they’ll be able to connect with existing and potential customers.
Online shopping and virtual marketplaces have taken over.
Due to brick-and-mortar stores being closed most of the time during the onset of the pandemic, people heavily relied on online shopping and virtual marketplaces to accomplish their shopping routines (E.g for essentials, clothes, and others). However, that in itself wasn’t the main reason that attracted people.
Online shopping allowed many to conveniently shop at the comfort of their homes, erasing the common hassles associated with in-store shopping such as traffic and distance. This influx of customers preferring online buying over traditional shopping forced a lot of brands to adopt a more digital approach to their operations, realizing the potential that it offers.
You can be present even if your physical store is still in hibernation.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still largely unaddressed, there’s still a huge chance that lockdowns and restrictions will continue to hamper normal business operations, particularly when it comes to physical stores. On that note, you should formulate an alternative strategy that will allow your business to function even with your outlet being in hibernation—and digital marketing offers just that!
It’s not affected by changing health restrictions and protocols.
Because digital marketing is done solely online, brands and businesses who participate in it won’t have to think about upholding protocols or restrictions that are commonly imposed upon physical shops during the pandemic.
By adopting a business model around digital marketing, they’ll be able to maintain their operations efficiently and service customers uninterrupted. It will also lessen their expenses significantly as maintaining a physical store requires more resources compared to a virtual one.
The digital economy is booming.
Even before the pandemic hit, digital adoption has been rising steadily throughout the years. More and more people are opting to buy online due to the ease and convenience it offers. Likewise, businesses and brands are turning to the digital world because it’s where consumers spend most of their time.
As such, it will be beneficial for businesses—small or big—to develop their digital presence as soon as possible.
Important Notes
While we strongly recommend brands and enterprises adopt a digital approach to their operations to better acclimatize themselves to the rapidly changing business landscape, jumping on the digital bandwagon without the proper preparations and research is a no-no. Better yet, create a plan of action before taking the plunge. Haphazardly adopting a digital dynamic might lead to more losses instead of results.
It’s always better to conduct a thorough examination of a new venture before saying yes to it. After all, there’s a lot of things to consider—one being if your business is truly a good fit for the online audience.