With the COVID-19 crises, it’s especially important for affected businesses to keep their customers informed about changes to their everyday business operations. Luckily, many popular social platforms utilized by small businesses have implemented features that make it easier for companies to keep their clientele updated during these difficult times.
Google Business
Update Attributes
Attributes is a great feature that allows your business to let customers know the different, unique services your business has to offer. For example, you can add ‘Curbside Pickup’ or ‘Hands-Free Delivery’. Attributes are a great way for customers visiting your page, through Google Search or Maps, to see what options are available to them. Attributes allow your business to stand-out and show customers all of the important features your company is offering during the pandemic.
Update Your Operating Hours
Now more than ever it’s important to make sure your company’s operating hours are up-to-date. Whether you’re operating during normal your normal hours, closing a couple hours earlier each day, or even closing a couple days a week, updating your business hours will help cut-back on confusion for your customers. Now, Google Business allows you to also mark your business as ‘Temporarily Closed’. Marking your business as ‘Temporarily closed’ will not affect your Google Search ranking. It’s also important to note that if your business is still offering delivery or pickup options, you should not mark your business as ‘Temporarily Closed’.
Post Covid-19 Updates
Another great feature on Google Business is the ‘Covid-19 Update’ Post feature. This feature allows you to create a post keeping your customers updated on safety precautions your business is taking, changes to any services you offer, and any other important news affecting your company due to Coronavirus. Creating a high-quality post addressing Covid-19 issues and updates is a great way to let your customers know that you are committed to their safety and providing them with great service.
Facebook for Business
Temporary Service Changes
For businesses such as, restaurants offering pickup only services or yoga studios offering online classes, Facebook is allowing these businesses to more easily make their new hours and services known to the public. This new feature is allowing business to indicate that they are ‘Temporarily Closed’ or update under ‘Open with Service Changes’ with options including:
- Online Services
- Delivery
- Pickup
- Other Changes – i.e., special hours for the elderly
These changes will appear on your business page, page preview, and in Facebook search.
Electronic Gift Cards
Another awesome online feature Facebook is offering, to help businesses through Covid-19, is online gift cards. Businesses can now setup an online gift card through one of Facebook’s selected partners, where you will then be able to share your gift card with customers through your Facebook or Instagram page.
Whether your company is operating business as usual or temporarily closed, keeping your business information updated, will help you keep your customer base informed and help them to stay better connected with your business during the Covid-19 pandemic.