Nobody is leaving the COVID-19 pandemic unscathed, including Rocky Mount’s small businesses.
And that’s a big deal when you consider that small businesses generate about 44 percent of all economic activity in the United States.
But 2021 is another year, one when the economy gets going again. Small businesses are recovering and ready to drive the recovery. One of the best ways for Rocky Mount small businesses to thrive in this new post-pandemic world is to tap into technology, and US Cellular has a variety of solutions and tips that can help business owners thrive
Go No-Touch: Shoppers have slowly returned to retail, but many still have reservations about touching high-traffic surfaces, including credit card readers.
With a contactless payment option, customers can pay securely. The Square payment app is one of the most powerful mobile payment apps out there. Coupling the Square app with a mobile card reader turns a smartphone or tablet into a fully functional digital cash register.
Get Social: During COVID-19, conditions were constantly changing. Rocky Mount small businesses that have managed to weather the pandemic successfully did so, in part, by harnessing the power of social media to share valuable information and updates with their customers.
Using Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to communicate about hours of operation, services, and sales – not to mention updates on unforeseen closures and other incidents – is a great way to keep customers informed.
Go digital: Even before COVID, an up-to-date and mobile-friendly website was crucial for small businesses. Now that online business is booming due to the pandemic, it is even more important for small businesses to have an easy-to-use website where customers can browse and shop from their mobile phone or computer.
According to a Google study, 76 percent of people who use their smartphone to search for something nearby visit a store within a day. Keep the sites updated and updated to ensure that the sites provide accurate information to customers in the Rocky Mount area.
Get remote: The pandemic taught people how to work remotely – and well. While it won’t work for all small businesses, many can benefit from giving their employees the ability to work remotely by using platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams.
The key to effective video conferencing services is having a solid network that ensures smooth streaming for employees, customers, and anyone else who logs in.
With COVID-19 constantly changing, now is the time for small businesses to take another look at how they can use technology to maximize their opportunities for the rest of 2021 and beyond.
Jeremy Taylor is the East North Carolina sales director for US Cellular.
