Step one. Is your business closed? Though access to the major business premises or a warehouse or printing facility may be restricted, this does not necessarily imply that the business is closed. Consider the following:
- Can someone continuously answer the phone?
- Will someone keep posting on social media?
- Is there a part of the business that can be done from a distance?
If it is possible to operate some aspects of your business during the closure, take the next two sections into consideration. Your decisions can be impacted by the guidance you give to your potential customers.
Things to consider if your business remains open:
- Have clear regulations for your potential customers on how to interact with your business
- Keep your website and directory listing up to date.
If your business is Temporarily Closed:
- Let your customers know about the temporary closure
- Maintain your website and business directory. Continue informing your customers and building trust by making sure everything is up to date, this will help when re-opening.
Different ways to show that your business is open:
- Website: Add a popup or message bar to the homepage of the website announcing that the business is open and describing how to acquire service. Consider connecting to a certain link with further information.
- Facebook: Update your header on Facebook to show your customers that you are still open. You may also want to create a post so it reaches the customers who haven’t visited your main Facebook page, but still receive your posts.
- Hours & Contact Information: If there are any changes to your business contact hours and information make sure to update it whether it’s on Google or Yelp.
- Business Phone: Consider having a voicemail message that describes the current situation to the customers trying to contact you, and provides guidance for how to receive your service
- Email Marketing: Send emails using email lists to let everyone know that your business is still open and how to interact with it.
You should review the guidelines for your specific business type, so you can continue to generate as many sales as possible within the restrictions.
Different ways to announce that your business is temporarily closed:
- Website: Add a popup or message bar to the homepage of the website announcing that the business is closed
- Facebook: Update your header on Facebook to show your customers that you are temporarily closed. You may also want to create a post so it reaches the customers who haven’t visited your main Facebook page, but still receive your posts.
- Hours & Contact information: Since your business is closed update the information on Google and Yelp. Update the business profile on yelp.
- Google my business: Go to “info” and “special hours” then click “add new date” for each day that you expect to be closed. Make sure to update it if any changes occur, whether the business will open sooner than expected or the closure gets extended.
- Business Phone: Consider having a voicemail message that describes the current situation to the customers trying to contact you, let them know you are closed, and when it will be possible for you to reach back to them.
- Business Email: Create an auto-response email to let your customers know that you are closed and when they can expect a response.
Consider leaving the phone line open. This will allow to continue to build relationships with customers, secure orders for later or add someone to a call back list. Announce the closure on other social media platforms like Instagram, twitter, tiktok etc. Depending on your activity on these platforms you may want to announce your closure through them aswell.
