The results of a recent survey commissioned by GoDaddy and conducted by OnePoll of 2,000 Americans and what they want from small business going forward, shouldn’t surprise business owners. But if you’ve been thinking that some of the things you did for safety purposes can be phased out once we start beating the numbers on this virus, you may be in for a rude awakening.

Just like our kids on summer vacation, our customers have gotten used to a certain way of life and they expect businesses to help them maintain it. 

What Customers Want

First, customers appreciated how most small businesses changed their offerings and ways of doing business with the pandemic. 

Here are the eight things that are most important to buyers:

1. Contactless payment options
2. Curbside pickup
3. Online stores
4. Self-checkout
5. Virtual/digital loyalty cards 
6. Mobile apps
7. Ordering ahead online
8. QR code menus

Not surprisingly, 68% of respondents said they would shop from small local stores more often if they could purchase items online.… Read the rest

A message from Ashley Lambeth Christian, Outreach and Marketing Specialist of U.S. Small Business Administration Portland District Office:

As you know, COVID has had a drastic and continuing impact on small businesses nationwide. The SBA is honored to have been tasked with aiding small businesses in their recovery efforts, by providing them with access to the necessary capital they need to continue to thrive through the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL). The EIDL has an application deadline that is rapidly approaching, December 31^st 2021, and we want to make sure that your constituents are able to take advantage of this opportunity before time runs out.

We are also aware that some EIDL applicants may have questions about their current applications, loan increases, or the SBA’s process when evaluating each of these loans.… Read the rest

At some point COVID will be relegated to the same level of concern the flu gets every year. It won’t shutter businesses, alter family celebrations, and be the fuel behind contentious court cases.

Someday.

Let’s pretend we’re there now. 

There are certain conveniences (and necessities) that businesses adapted during COVID that customers have become accustomed to. So, if you’re making plans for a “return to normal” you may just want to reevaluate what that looks like based on your customers’ newly developed expectations.

Delivery and Curbside Pick-up

Whether you serve food or sell non-edible items, people have become accustomed to sitting in their cars (or at home) and receiving their goods. Customers love the convenience, the fact that they can come as they are and not worry about what they look like, and can run errands more efficiently. … Read the rest

The scene is a common one these days. Lines of people waiting to pay in a restaurant, retail establishment, or grocery store. Tempers flare. Customers yell at staff and wonder why there’s only one person checking people out. Your staff thinks, “Who needs this?” and they’re not wrong. They feel overworked and underappreciated. Customers are demanding and loud. Customers vow not to return. It makes for a bad situation for everyone.

So what can you do to ensure it doesn’t happen in your business?

Dealing with angry people during a staffing shortage is not easy, especially since one problem creates the other. People are angry because they have to wait. People have to wait because you are short staffed. No one wants to work in an environment filled with angry people.… Read the rest