{"id":101173,"date":"2020-04-02T15:42:06","date_gmt":"2020-04-02T20:42:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/?p=101173"},"modified":"2024-01-03T00:26:14","modified_gmt":"2024-01-03T06:26:14","slug":"worried-about-business-during-shutdown-keep-selling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/case-studies\/worried-about-business-during-shutdown-keep-selling\/","title":{"rendered":"Worried About Business During the Shutdown? Here\u2019s How You Can Keep Selling"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As organizations of all sizes are forced to adapt to a suddenly changed marketplace, millions of small businesses now face an unprecedented cash-crunch: The <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/hbswk.hbs.edu\/item\/how-small-businesses-can-survive-the-coronavirus-outbreak\" target=\"_blank\">median U.S. restaurant has just 16 days of cash in reserve <\/a>and most retailers can only cover another three. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"infogram-embed\" data-id=\"_\/CWwxVO0Me28Q0etkq2Sr\" data-type=\"interactive\" data-title=\"mills-smallbiz-covid1\"><\/div><script>!function(e,i,n,s){var t=\"InfogramEmbeds\",d=e.getElementsByTagName(\"script\")[0];if(window[t]&&window[t].initialized)window[t].process&&window[t].process();else if(!e.getElementById(n)){var o=e.createElement(\"script\");o.async=1,o.id=n,o.src=\"https:\/\/e.infogram.com\/js\/dist\/embed-loader-min.js\",d.parentNode.insertBefore(o,d)}}(document,0,\"infogram-async\");<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>There\u2019s no question that the current medical crisis will affect us all for some time to come, and many of the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/contentsquare.com\/coronavirus-ecommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\">radical shifts in consumer behavior<\/a> we\u2019re already seeing won\u2019t necessarily revert after the crisis. There\u2019s obviously no \u201ceasy\u201d way to reduce losses and uncertainty, but we wanted to share some ideas and inspire your own creativity with a few digital strategies that are paying off. Let\u2019s dig in!&nbsp; <br><br>One of the easiest ways to improve cash-flow for any business is by selling gift cards: Get paid now, deliver later. Many <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/saveourfaves.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">local initiatives<\/a> support restaurants this way, but every store owner is well advised to add physical and\u2014especially right now\u2014digital gift cards to their repertoire. Sellers on WooCommerce have <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/helpiewp.com\/woocommerce-gift-cards\/\" target=\"_blank\">various options<\/a> to offer physical or digital gift cards, and platforms like <a href=\"https:\/\/help.shopify.com\/en\/manual\/products\/gift-card-products\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">Shopify<\/a> have added, at least temporarily, a similar feature at no extra cost.<br><br>Speaking of gifts: Mother\u2019s day is coming up May 10th and there is encouraging data from the UK. After a radical shift in online spend\u2014away from travel and apparel towards \u201ccrisis mode shopping\u201d on groceries\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/contentsquare.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/call-your-mom-work-out-from-home-5-ways-the-coronavirus-impacted-browsing-behaviors-last-week\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">jewelry (+96%) and cosmetics (+67%<\/a>) saw a huge spike a few weeks ago, when the United Kingdom celebrated its own Mother\u2019s Day, on March 22nd.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/vRMY3WUyGLMWV5NG_rEdRrL17-bB4huRNyB0FmgbD7AcEPnz9kLoi1rjA6VLs8ChUfqZ4_Cen9lP2aL9iDjJv84-X-BJKNC8d514u2rQaSlI6Y7evwvjmGPjGFiIJENQZkXj90Xt\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Comparison of online sales, the week leading up to March 22nd vs. first 6 weeks of 2020. Source: <a href=\"https:\/\/contentsquare.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/call-your-mom-work-out-from-home-5-ways-the-coronavirus-impacted-browsing-behaviors-last-week\/\">https:\/\/contentsquare.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/call-your-mom-work-out-from-home-5-ways-the-coronavirus-impacted-browsing-behaviors-last-week\/<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br>With social distancing measures in place almost everywhere in the western world, we can expect more people shopping for birthdays and other occasions online. Make sure you offer\u2014 and promote\u2014<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/pluginrepublic.com\/woocommerce-add-gift-wrapping\/\" target=\"_blank\">gift wrapping<\/a> to be relevant for those shoppers. While you\u2019re at it, allow more time for returns due to store closings and<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bigcommerce.com\/blog\/create-a-returns-and-exchanges-policy-that-sells\/#the-returns-economy-by-the-numbers\" target=\"_blank\"> consider a generous, prominently featured return policy<\/a>. Trust needs to be earned and <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.metapack.com\/de\/whitepapers\/a-retailers-guide-to-returns\/\" target=\"_blank\">50% of shoppers have abandoned online carts<\/a> due to lack of return options.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Show confidence in your products by offering free returns. It\u2019s easy for shoppers and easy for you, too. With scan-based return labels, available through <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/woocommerce.com\/product-category\/woocommerce-extensions\/shipping-methods\/delivery-shipping-options\/\" target=\"_blank\">many of the shipping apps<\/a> out there, you only get charged if the label is used. These services also help you manage running sales on multiple channels and help you stay competitive through pre-negotiated rates with USPS, FedEx, and UPS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Why settle for one sale if you might be able to sell a subscription? In times like this, weekly or monthly deliveries can be more valuable than ever for both sides. Recurring revenue and better inventory planning for you will mean reliable deliveries for your shoppers. WooCommerce businesses will find <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/learnwoo.com\/woocommerce-subscriptions\/\" target=\"_blank\">many options to manage<\/a> subscriptions or recurring charges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another idea? Be creative. This isn\u2019t just about household staples. Most of the <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.statista.com\/statistics\/236123\/us-fitness-center--health-club-memberships\/\" target=\"_blank\">60 million gym members<\/a> in the U.S. are currently without a place to lift, and some may sign up for personal training or yoga classes at home. Spas and hair salons could send monthly product packages for DIY treatments. If combined with some <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.americanspa.com\/news\/how-spa-industry-dealing-coronavirus\" target=\"_blank\">best communication practices<\/a>, efforts like these should help maintain a loyal customer base. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In New York City, many restaurants had to change their business model from \u201chigh touch\u201d dining experiences <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2020\/03\/19\/dining\/restaurant-delivery-takeout-coronavirus.html\" target=\"_blank\">to \u201ccontactless delivery\u201d overnight<\/a>. Many kept it simple by answering the phone\u2014often for the first time in years\u2014to take pick-up orders, and offered everything from margarita kits to sushi.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good old phone means no extra costs, but some delivery services like DoorDash reduced or paused their commissions, too. Other platforms specialize in managing orders or pick-ups and let you deliver your food yourself. HospitalityNerds won\u2019t charge any fees for the rest of 2020. While mainly marketing towards restaurants, this new platform helps any store organize pick-up or deliveries. Just turn their \u201cmenu\u201d into a store directory, add a link to <a aria-label=\"Calendly (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/calendly.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Calendly<\/a>, and you can set up personal shopping sessions too, either virtual visits via FaceTime, or in-store if social distancing rules allow.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Whatever changes you consider and ultimately try out, make sure you communicate through social media and send <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" href=\"https:\/\/wpengine.com\/resources\/best-crm-wordpress-plugins\/\" target=\"_blank\">updates to your customer base<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While not everyone will be able to compensate for the loss in (foot) traffic, these tactics should help create a little more predictability in uncertain times and give you a head-start for the post-crisis-era. While it may be tempting to take ad-hoc action, the best changes are the ones that help you grow your business right now AND post-crisis.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Until then, if things take-off faster than you can handle, <a href=\"https:\/\/wordpress.org\/plugins\/limit-orders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\">there\u2019s even a free plugin<\/a> to limit new orders, too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How are you maneuvering through these uncharted waters? Any ideas you\u2019d like to share? Tried any of the tactics mentioned? We\u2019d love to hear it! Comment below or let us know how we can help.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As organizations of all sizes are forced to adapt to a suddenly changed marketplace, millions of small businesses now face an unprecedented cash-crunch: The median U.S. restaurant has just 16 days of cash in reserve and most retailers can only cover another three. There\u2019s no question that the current medical crisis will affect us all<span class=\"tile__ellipses\">&hellip;<\/span><span class=\"tile__ellipses--animated\"><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":291,"featured_media":101795,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-101173","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ecommerce"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Worried About Business During the Shutdown? 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