COVID Strategies for Small Business and Non-profits

With so many changes happening so fast, there are some things you can do to help your business or non-profit.

SMALL BUSINESS

• Update your website and social media with any changes to your operating schedule or contact information
• Sell gift certificates online – customers can use them as things return to normal
• Build a stronger eCommerce presence for physical goods — there are quick ways to get up and running using off-the-shelf shopping cart applications:
  • For WordPress, consider WooCommerce — their eCommerce plugin
  • For those not in WordPress, consider Shopify or BigCommerce
• Add online chat function to your website, which can be done with free plugins like WP Live Chat,and then monitor it during your business day
• Keep your social media updated. Stay positive, situationally aware, and appropriate for whatever the news of the day is
  • Review your scheduled social media posts to make sure you are not advertising an event that cannot happen due to restrictions in place
• Stay in touch with customers and patrons through email
  • Use an email management program like Constant Contact or MailChimp
  • Review all your scheduled emails to make sure they are still appropriate and not promoting sales or events that will not happen
• REACH OUT – in Saratoga County, agencies are working together to help small businesses.
  • Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce
  • Saratoga Economic Development Corporation
  • Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership
  • Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau
  • Saratoga Downtown Business Association
  • Listen to the Star Radio Broadcast from local leaders
• Check out national resources
  • Small Business Administration COVID-19 Resources

NON-PROFITS

• Update your website and social media with any changes to your operating schedule or contact information
• Tell patrons what you need
  • How does your organization’s operation need to change to deal with the changing environment?
  • What does your organization need to keep running and supporting its constituents?
• Accept donations online
• Add online chat function to your website, which can be done with free plugins like WP Live Chat,and then monitor it during your business day
• Keep your social media updated. Stay positive, situationally aware, and appropriate for whatever the news of the day is
  • Review your scheduled social media posts to make sure you are not advertising an event that cannot happen due to restrictions in place
• Review any scheduled email blasts to make sure they are still appropriate