Here at Anvil we are nearing the end of our second month of social distancing and work-from-home practices due to COVID-19. We are following the guidance and orders laid out by our state government here in Oregon. While Oregon has no specific timetable for reopening yet, some states like Georgia, Alaska and Montana are moving ahead with limited or staged plans to reopen some businesses and services. Many small business owners are eager to get back to business, even if that means changing the way they do business. While we are first and foremost focused on the health of our Anvil Team and the public health of our communities, we also strive to provide our clients and readers with the best digital marketing advice. As businesses begin to reopen as regulations are lifted, it is important to remember the lessons learned during the COVID-19 crisis and tough economic downturn. Anvil Media is here to help your company connect with customers using social media, ensure your business has an optimized online presence, and adapt your business to “the new normal.”
Social Media
Social media is an unbeatable tool to stay in contact with, and in the minds of, consumers who are hungry for fresh and interesting content. Consumers are, for the most part, spending more time sitting on their couch and staring at their phones. Having a strong social strategy to ensure that your brand is being seen by those users right now will be vital to coming out the other end ahead. Social media can be used to keep your customers informed of any updates or changes to your business as the health crisis evolves. It can also be used to show and tell how your business is striving to help the community in these troubling times. Posting about any donations or charitable offerings with links to the respective organizations can help to build good will in your community. Lastly, for a large number of users, social media is an escape. Creating and posting content that is fun or distracting can help your brand build a dedicated social community and brand loyalty. All these goals and more can be accomplished with a strong social media strategy.
SEO
Search Engine Optimization, or SEO, should always be a focus for any website. However, during COVID-19, optimizing your site with the best SEO practices, up-to-date content, and local optimization is incredibly important.
SEO is a long-term strategy; the investment and attention now can pay huge dividends in the future. Making sure your site is technically sound is a great place to start. Analyzing the site for elements like keyword optimization, properly formatted sitemaps, and structured data are just a few of the things we do here at Anvil. Ensuring your site has these elements in place is crucial to establishing and improving your presence in search engine results.
Now, more than ever, updating your customers through use of a blog or news section of your website is important. With a blog you can keep your customers apprised of all the information they might need regarding how your business has adapted to the crisis. That being said, a blog is, at its core, another way for your business to sell your product or service offerings and establish authority in your industry. All blogs should strive to be keyword-relevant and action-oriented.
As states begin to loosen their stay-at-home regulations, consumers will be returning to their local businesses, albeit in limited numbers. Businesses with a local focus need to take this time to ensure their website, social profiles, and business listings are optimized for local SEO. Businesses should verify that names, addresses, and contact information are consistent across the web. Include content on the page and in your blog about the community, or communities, you serve and how you are adapting to meet the changes brought about by COVID-19. Using structured data markup can also help search engines to recognize your website as an authoritative local business.
Adapting Your Business
More than ever the idea of “adapt or die” rings true for businesses. Any business who cannot or will not adapt to meet the changing business landscape is doomed. When it comes to digital marketing that concept is especially true. Business must be online to maintain their communication, brand presence, and competitive edge. Anvil is here to help your business with whatever evolving needs you have. Whether your business wants to use paid advertising to highlight special offers or is looking at a complete site overhaul, Anvil Media can support those needs.
Now is the time to tell your community how you are helping them through your website, social media, and paid advertising. Now is the time to impress your brand on the minds of consumers who are looking to support small businesses. Now is the time to reach out to Anvil Media.