Creative and Resourceful During Challenging Times
Local Business First Supports Small Businesses During the Pandemic
When Laura O’Callaghan from the Milford Chamber of Commerce asked business owners in the Central Massachusetts area how they pivoted and adjusted to the new normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, I took a few minutes to reflect on this question myself.
As a new business owner, I found myself on the brink of failure when the pandemic hit - not because I didn’t have enough websites to create, but because my clients simply could not afford to pay me. So, what to do? I put my own business on hold for several months and started giving a lending hand to my existing clients. To continue helping my community, I would like to share the list of simple ways that Local Business First was able to contribute to the struggling small business during the COVID-19 pandemic.
I am grateful for the tools I had available to me (thank you DUDA!) and thank you MACC for being a great resource, even during tough times!
1. Add Online Tools
While our top concern was health and safety of our clients, teammates, customer's and their families, we were also well aware of the potential economic impact of the pandemic on their businesses. To help raise awareness and drive traffic to our client’s businesses, we contacted our entire client base to ask if we could add announcements, online scheduling & payments, help setup and send newsletters, and so on. Together with the help of several college students, we were able to help dozens of local businesses drive traffic to our client’s websites and improve their digital footprint.
2. Update, Redesign & Improve Local Online Presence
Search Engine Optimization quickly became a priority for many of my clients. While nearly all of them had products they could easily sell, they needed a way for clients to find them online. To improve local online presence, our clients would have to inform their customer base on product availability, delivery options, and contactless payments, and so on.
3. Create Online Events
MACC is one of my largest clients. Because of the pandemic, they were not able to hold their local events, which are typically the main source of funding for the Chamber. Not only were they faced with the obstacle of finding a new method of fundraising, but they also had to find new ways to continue supporting the local businesses that they represent.
To help during these difficult and unusual times, Local Business First assisted the Chamber team by creating a page where our members and community could find ample resources to handle the crisis. We helped create a resource center on our website which including:
- A Back-to-Business resource page
- An SBA Grants and Loans resources page
- A listing containing all the local businesses that offered post pandemic/shut-down Gift Cards
- Webinar educational series
- A page where those laid-off and job-hunting can upload their resume
- A school update page
- A member discount page
In addition, we were able to hold several important events online such as the Honors Scholars Night and the Annual Auction.
We also helped improve SEO for virtual events for another local business: Canvas n Cup. They quickly adapted to Zoom paint parties and were able to provide a unique and creative virtual outlet for many people and corporations during the pandemic. The team at Canvas n Cup also created several free videos for everyone stuck at home to enjoy!
4. Create Free or Low-Cost Websites for Local Business Owners
With the help of local college students, we were able to help many local businesses create new and improved websites for very little cost. Duda, the website builder we use, kindly provided resources to help all kinds of businesses communicate COVID-19 updates to their intended audiences. Duda wanted to make sure there were as little roadblocks as possible to opening these critical lines of communication, and generously offered free annual sites for existing customers, and free Basic Annual Plans for new customers who were building informational sites related to COVID-19.
Duda also offered numerous sales and free resources for our clients, including: 50% OFF webhosting, Free E-commerce and Scheduling apps, and so much more. I truly feel lucky to have used this platform during the pandemic. Duda offered all necessary tools needed to be able to assist my clients at a very low cost.
5. Generosity and Kindness is Coming Back to Us
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days” is a Bible verse which means to give generously without worrying about what you will gain from it or what the people will do with what you give them – which is a proverb that I live by.
With 2020 in the rear view mirror, 2021 is ringing lots of opportunities for growth and success, and I cannot wait to continue serving my community in new and exciting ways.
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Situated in Clover, SC we serve local businesses in surrounding areas and the entire United States. Our services include responsive web design, search engine optimization (SEO) and content writing.
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