Reopen Your Business with These Creative, Cost-Effective Ideas

Over the past almost two years, many business owners have been forced to downsize or close altogether due to safety guidelines and state regulations, notes The Boston Globe, and the process has taken a toll on entrepreneurs. If you own a small business and worked hard to get ready for a reopening, you already know how long the road has been and all the challenges that have paved the way. 

Fortunately, there are things you can do to ensure that you aren’t forced to close again. Start by finding out what your customers need so you can determine what they search for the most online. Then, take these steps to ensure your business is protected and safe for reopening.

Boost your presence on social media

These days, every business owner needs multiple social media accounts to stay in contact with customers.  Boosting your presence online should be a major part of your reopening marketing plan, so think about how you can create content that will promote your business while drawing in new customers. Sprout Social suggests getting familiar with how algorithms work and consider booking the services of a digital marketer to work on marketing and branding your products. It’s also a good idea to look into promoting on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which allow you to pay according to the number of customers you want to reach.

You can take on some of the digital marketing yourself if you prefer. You can create ads quickly with a Facebook ad template online, and then they can go live on Facebook. You’ll want to be sure you have a good website, however. It won’t matter how good your ads are at driving traffic to your website if your website is poorly designed. Be sure to invest in a well-designed website from a digital agency to convert clicks into sales. It’s a worthwhile investment.

Set up payroll

As you reopen your business, you may find that it’s time to bring on some more employees. Get payroll processed quickly with payroll software that ensures accurate payments, tracks time, and allows you to pay employees with same-day direct deposit. When you automate the process of paying your employees and deducting taxes, it’ll free up time that you can dedicate to running your business.     

Be transparent

Whether it’s on social media, through advertising, or via signage inside your business, it’s crucial to let customers know how you plan to keep them—and your employees—safe even as we emerge from the pandemic. Stay up-to-date on the latest safety guidelines so you can ensure that your business is following regulations.

Reorganize

If you’ve researched business structures and you feel like a corporation might be the right fit for you, it’s time to reorganize. When you register as a corporation, you’ll gain limited liability and tax advantages, and it’ll be easier to raise capital. ZenBusiness details the steps involved in setting up an S Corp in New York.

Offer new services or content

Part of being transparent with your customers is giving them a little flexibility when it comes to cancellations or refunds, but this also means you may be missing out on revenue. One simple, budget-friendly way to combat this is to offer new or slightly altered services or content that customers can pay for, such as video tutorials, virtual tours, or virtual classes. 

You can also offer merchandise for sale through your website, such as t-shirts, art prints, mugs, stickers, and other items that will be easy to come by wholesale. Get creative with these services and utilize social media to get them in front of your customers—both before and after the reopening.

Reopening a business comes with so many considerations that it can be overwhelming. However, when you’re armed with a solid plan, you’ll be able to make the process a safe and successful one.

For more information, please contact us today!