When the COVID-19 pandemic started, people had to stay at home and readjust their lives for their own safety. Businesses also had to adapt to this change and think up ways to continue serving their customers that cannot physically visit their offices and stores. Now that the world is on the onset of living in the new normal, those services still hold up and will continue to provide customers with their needs alongside convenience. Read below about these services that you may not have offered before but definitely should to remain relevant and profitable in this time of crisis.
1. Home-based services
During the pandemic, a lot of people were naturally stuck at home. Businesses such as salons, gyms, and other places that require close physical contact had to adjust by offering home-based services instead. This is a great way to continue serving your customers while also adhering to safety guidelines. Always remember to put your customers’ safety first and make sure that your employees are properly trained in handling the new service.
2. Online consultations and bookings
Another way to serve your customers during this pandemic is by offering online consultations and bookings. This is perfect for businesses such as doctors’ offices, spas, and hotels. Customers can easily book an appointment or consultation without having to leave the safety of their homes. You can also offer additional services such as online payment to make it more convenient for your customers. Try to promote this service as much as possible through your social media channels and website.
3. Delivery and curbside pick-up
If you have a physical store, you might have had to close it down during the height of the pandemic. However, you can still serve your customers by offering delivery and curbside pick-up services. This way, customers can still purchase your products without leaving their homes. You can use GPS cargo tracking solutions to make sure that your deliveries arrive on time and without any issues.
4. Virtual tours
If you own a museum, zoo, or another type of attraction, you can still offer your customers a chance to enjoy your facilities by offering virtual tours. This is a great way to engage with your customers and continue promoting your business. You can easily create a virtual tour by taking advantage of 360-degree cameras and online video editing tools. Some attractions even offer live streaming to give their customers a more immersive experience.
5. Online classes
Online classes are essential to businesses that provide education to their viewers. This is a great way to engage with your students and make sure that they are still learning despite the pandemic. You can use video conferencing tools such as Zoom or Google Hangouts to host your classes or record your lessons and post them online for your students to watch at their convenience. Try to promote your online classes through your social media channels and website.
6. Live events
If you’re in the entertainment industry, you can still offer your customers a chance to enjoy your performances by hosting live events. You can use streaming platforms such as YouTube or Facebook Live to stream your events to your customers. You can also charge a fee for your live events to generate additional revenue. Always remember to promote your live events through your social media channels and website.
7. Online gift cards
Another way to serve your customers during this pandemic is by offering online gift cards. Gift cards may not be as popular as they were before, but they’re still a great way to show your customers that you care about them. You can use online platforms such as Gift Card Granny or Raise to sell your gift cards. You can also promote your gift cards through your social media channels and website. If you want to increase your sales, you can offer discounts or special promotions for your gift cards.
8. Loyalty programs
Loyalty programs are a great way to engage with your customers and encourage them to continue doing business with you. You can offer loyalty points for every purchase that your customers make. You can also offer special rewards for customers who reach certain milestones. Especially when they purchase your products online, you can use platforms such as Belly or Fivestars to manage your loyalty program.
Offering services online is a great way to keep your business running during this pandemic. There are many different services that you can offer your customers, and we’ve listed some of the most popular ones. You can use platforms such as Zoom or Google Hangouts to host online classes, live events, and consultations. You can also use 360-degree cameras to create virtual tours of your attraction. And finally, you can offer online gift cards and loyalty programs to encourage your customers to continue doing business with you. Whatever services you decide to offer, always remember to promote them through your social media channels and website.