There are thousands of aspects of business owners lives that have changed since the outbreak. Entrepreneurs will need to adapt in all sectors, from the travel industry to leisure business, from sport to transport and so many more, all of which will have the Covid-19 hangover to deal with from now on.

 

From a marketing perspective we’ve seen a wholesale transition to a world where every business now realises the value of their website. For most businesses it has been the only way of generating revenue. If we go into another lockdown it will be the only way to trade and nobody wants to risk that again.

We have seen a massive influx of enquiries requesting help to either redesign existing websites or build new ones.

 

So now that every business knows they need to be on the web, what do they need their site to do? More importantly, how do they ensure they can still trade and rise above the competition, no matter what the world throws at us next?

 

"Here are the five key features to future proof any business 

and ensure you thrive during the next lockdown!"

1. Future proof your website. Updating a website can be time consuming and costly. Ensuring hackers are kept at bay and the technology stays up to date is key. Companies will need to have a pro-active web designer or system that either automatically updates or uses AI technology to ensure the key messages are being delivered.

2. Brick and mortar ONLY businesses a thing of the past. Every shop will need way of selling online using e-commerce technology, even traditional pubs are now increasing their online presence and providing a delivery or collection service. This includes food, retail and even service based industries that will now deliver their products using website technology, like Zoom or Google Meet.

3. Quick and easy to update. As so much more commerce will now be done online, reacting to the market quickly will be essential. Gone are the days that your friend or part-time web designer updates your website when he gets around to it. Having a simple interface to do it yourself or reactive low-cost agency team to do it for you will be the norm.  

4. Artificial Intelligence. It may sound Sci-fi but cutting edge web designers have been using this tech for years to help deliver the right messages to the right customers at the right time. Making this affordable and effective will ensure your business gains more customers and visitors to your website will receive messages that are of interest to them, a win, win!

5. Social media integrates with websites. Since the lockdown some figures are telling us that social media usage is up over 25%. Engaging with this audience and ensuring that they visit your website is the perfect way of reaching the right prospects and then converting them into customers. Also, showing a feed of relevant social posts on a website will now be the norm in any modern business.

 

Websites are now recognised, even by the most traditional of businesses, as an essential part of running a company. There has never been more demand for quality, affordable websites and here at Overt Digital Media, we have never been busier and that doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.