We recognize that the COVID-19 situation has brought uncertainty, stress, and unique challenges to businesses throughout the world. While many people feel alone during tough times like these, we want you to know that YOU are not.
With businesses and employees being encouraged to work remotely in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we at ZGM are lucky to be in a position that allows us to work from home and to be able to continue to provide service to you. Due to the unique circumstances, we are taking steps to support and help you through these uncertain times. For the most up to date and timely information and guidance on COVID-19, please monitor the World Health Organization website.
But in the meantime, here are some tips and recommendations, from our team to yours, to help you, your employees, and your customers navigate these day to day changes:
First and foremost, stay safe
The safety of your employees, customers, and clients should be your first priority. Please be sure that everyone is being smart, staying home, and avoiding large groups and public places for the time being.
Find ways to stay productive and in communication while working remotely
Lucky for us, we’re used to working from home, but most companies and employees aren’t. By implementing and making different productivity tools and software like Asana, Slack, Uber Conference, and Google Docs available to employees, it’s a lot easier to keep communication and productivity as high as ever. And for those people that need face-to-face communication and human interaction, you can suggest virtual working sessions with Zoom or other video call platforms to keep people engaged and office morale and spirits lifted.
Communicate with your customers and your employees
It’s important to remain in communication with your customers and your employees regarding the status of your business. This means sending out emails, social media posts, and blogs that relay information like hour changes, adjustments your company is making, and how you’re going to help your customers. This also means updating things like your google my business listing with new hours of operation and updated service offerings like delivery or takeout options. Your website, social media, and email communications are what give you a voice during times like these, so make sure to prioritize these channels when shifting gears.
Adjust your advertising and marketing services
In uncertain and unpredictable times, we know budgets can get tight. And in unique circumstances like these, it’s important to understand where to scale back and where to readjust and pivot your marketing strategy.
- The first thing to look at is your ads. As mentioned before, make sure you are updating them so your customers know whether you’re open for business. You can even highlight promotions you’re running like expedited shipping. Also, be sure to remove any creative that may go against the new social distancing best practices. For example, stock images of people shaking hands.
- If you’re rewriting your Google ads and reworking messaging, keep in mind that Google’s recent COVID-19 related policies actually block any ads that may be trying to capitalize on the virus. That applies to keywords, ad copy, and creative and means zero traffic from your ads. This is important to know so you can properly plan your campaigns and manage your budgets.
- This is a great time to do site audits, analysis of your website, and implement changes for better user experience. This means updating and refreshing content, creating new and relevant pages, adding in keywords you want to target, and more.
- Next, if you’re a brick and mortar or eCommerce store, make sure to take a look at inventory. If any of your product is going to be impacted by supply chain issues or increased demand, make sure to address that right away.
- Lastly, if your ads or business are targeted toward certain areas of the country that have been most affected by COVID-19, reallocate your budget to other locations.
Note: Google is providing $340 million in Google Ads credits available to all SMBs with active accounts over the past year. Credit notifications will appear in your Google Ads accounts and can be used at any point until the end of 2020 across our advertising platforms. Google hopes it will help to alleviate some of the cost of staying in touch with their customers. The ad credits will be available to small and medium businesses, who advertise directly with Google or through partners, around the world with active accounts since the beginning of 2019. Small and medium businesses worldwide that have been active advertisers since the beginning of 2019 will be informed in the coming months through notifications within their Google Ads account.This Google Ads credit can be used at any point throughout the year and will expire on 31st Dec 2020. Any unused portion will be removed from Google Ads accounts. The ad credits will be applicable across the Google Ads platform including Search, Display, and youtube as well as all campaign types. We recommend keeping this in mind when considering if you would like to pause your Google spend. If you can keep Google Ads running, you may be better off having done so.
If you need a little help and are looking for someone to lean on, our ZGM team has your back. We’ve put together some packages that can help you get through these trying times.
At ZGM, we remain committed to you, even in times of crisis. If your business needs help addressing the latest COVID-19 challenges, reach out to our team today! And make sure to stay tuned and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to see how we at ZGM stay productive even from our home offices.
