The recent pandemic may hopefully be coming to a close because of the vaccines. However, its effects on public health and businesses are nearly-irreversible.
Despite the impacts of the COVID pandemic, many business owners and entrepreneurs are finding ways to continue to serve consumers’ needs
Sure, starting a small business in the midst of a health crisis may be deemed risky by some, but it’s definitely doable. A variety of business types can thrive during and beyond a pandemic with enough time, effort, and research.
Here’s how to do it.
Get With the Times
If you want your business to be in-demand, you need to cater your products and services to the needs of your customers during this pandemic. Your enterprise should also offer goods or services that are still going to relevant and helpful beyond the current health crisis.
Business types that attain this balance include:
- Delivery Services — If you’re looking to create a company that greatly benefits your fellow business owners in your community, start a delivery service. A lot of small to medium enterprises are forced to provide delivery options for their goods. Plus, a lot of logistics companies are backlogged because of COVID-19 restrictions in their workplace. You can build a fleet of bike or motorcycle riders that can provide fast and efficient delivery for restaurants and retail stores. If you want to focus on business-to-business customers, then you may want to switch to a van or truck fleet, as they often need to transport products in bulk.
- Cleaning Services — The pandemic has seen a rise in demand for cleaning services. Commercial and residential property owners alike are looking for crews that can not only clean up but also disinfect the surfaces in their homes and offices. If you have the knowledge and experience in this field, starting a cleaning business and training employees on the best sanitation practices should be a breeze.
- Mask Making — Masks are especially helpful during this pandemic, as they minimize the spread of the virus. There’s also a demand for them beyond these unprecedented times, as there are some people whose immune system is sensitive to particles in the air, like pollen and bacteria. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a great guide on how to make sewn cloth masks. If you want to stand out from the competition, print or sew unique graphics and patterns on the masks.
Implement Social Distancing Measures & Explain Them Through Your Value Proposition to Give Your Customers Confidence
The last thing you want is for your business to be closed down after just a couple of days because you violated social distancing orders. Being complicit to the spread of a virus like COVID-19 in your place of business is not a good look, too.
Here are some social distancing guidelines to consider:
- Keep a distance of six feet from each other. This applies to both employees and customers. The fewer the people in the establishment, the better.
- Provide handwashing and sanitation stations for employees and customers to wash their hands.
- Direct employees and customers to wear a mask at all times in your place of business.
Take Your Business Processes Online
Because going outside isn’t always safe, people are starting to prefer buying products and services online. This means your business needs to be on the web, too.
Create an online store using e-commerce platforms, like Shopify and Squarespace. Take cashless payments using online gateways like PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp. Instead of using traditional advertisements like flyers and posters, get your customers’ attention through digital marketing methods. Get your business to the top of search engine results and your customers’ social media timelines, and you’re sure to get more sales or at least inquiries.
Digitizing your business processes also makes it future-proof. After all, over 74 percent of people already buy products online. It’s not only safer because of the pandemic, it’s also easier and more convenient overall.
Probably Yes Can Help Fund Your Startup & Get You the Equipment You Need!
With a business type that fits the needs of people during this health crisis, has solid online business processes, and follows proper social distancing measures, your business is sure to weather this storm and thrive beyond it!
