Having a digital marketing strategy for your business has grown in importance over the years as consumer behavior has changed and technology has advanced.

Now, more than ever, business owners face unprecedented challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath are going to continue to cause major disruptions for businesses across the country and change consumer buying behavior indefinitely.

It’s in these moments of uncertainty and rapid change when a digital marketing strategy is vital. In the aftermath of this pandemic, there will be businesses that are ready for the rebound and ones that don’t embrace the opportunity to adapt.

We believe that it is a pivotal time to invest your energy and efforts into building a digital marketing strategy that can support your business now and prepare you for acceleration in the future.

To the business owners out there, here are just a couple of things you should consider when it comes to your digital marketing strategy. We know the stakes for you and your business couldn’t be higher.

You Need to Adapt

Most local businesses depend on foot traffic and word-of-mouth referrals to increase their customer base, which is why COVID-19 has been so damaging to their profits over the past few weeks.

Many states are creating “shelter-in-place” or “stay-at-home” orders, meaning that businesses that revolve around the physical presence of customers aren’t getting the traffic they need.

It’s crucial for businesses to adapt their marketing strategies to reach customers at the right place and at the right time. This is why digital forms of communication are so essential. Social distancing may have created physical distance between us, but it’s connected businesses and consumers in whole new ways.

Remember, life doesn’t stop. Consumers still need grocery stores, home services, lawn care, pharmacies and other various needs. In other words, they need your business. They need you.

Although the future is unknown, adapting a smart and responsive strategy that helps you to communicate timely and effectively can make you visible to more consumers and create lasting loyalty.

Are you open? Have your hours changed? Are services being provided differently? What steps are you taking to protect consumers? Your customers want to know.

Embracing a transformation from traditional to digital marketing will help you now — and in the long run.

Use Your Time Wisely

Being confined to your home (or office) during COVID-19 doesn’t need to be wasted time. If your business is focused on serving the needs of your customers and community, you have an immense opportunity to focus your energy on building a responsive and adaptive digital marketing strategy.  

During your normal routine, you may not have the time to dive into research or implement new marketing strategies. Now is your chance to learn more about the behavior of your customers, listen to their needs and identify the ways you can better serve them through digital marketing.

It’s also a good time to revisit your current marketing strategy. If you built your strategy completely offline, consider layering in digital elements. You can do something as simple as creating social media channels or updating your website.

If your business has already started integrating digital and traditional marketing strategies, it’s time to consider a more innovative approach. You can do things such as analyzing your website through Google Analytics, running ads on social media or keeping your business top of mind through brand awareness campaigns.

While people are staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, they will be utilizing the internet and online searches even more! You must keep pace with the changes in consumer behavior and be there when they’re searching for a business like yours.

Final Thoughts

Managing your business in the face of rapid change can be tough, but it’s not impossible if you adjust your current offerings and are flexible to the situation.

Want to learn more about adjusting your strategy? Be sure to check out this blog for more tips.

If you aren’t sure where to begin when it comes to digital marketing, our team of experts is here to help! At RevLocal, we use a relationship-based approach and want to gain your trust.

We’ll pair you with a dedicated, industry-specific marketing strategist that will work with you to find the right strategy for your business.

Now’s the time to stay ahead of the competition! Request a demo today to get started.

This post was created in collaboration with Lauren Snyder, RevLocal's Content Contributor.