As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, there is a need for business owners to adapt to the changing economic landscape and the shifting consumer behaviours. Business owners must work with their hired Washington DC SEO company to adapt their SEO strategies for COVID-19.
Washington, D.C. city is the capital city of the US. It is also a flourishing meeting place of innovation, ideas, and inventions. Washington D.C. also boasts of having the highest percentage of residents that graduate from college. Likewise, the region is home to more than 1000 international corporations, with 15 belonging to Fortune 500 companies.
However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, businesses, regardless of size, have been affected somehow. All businesses have had to adapt to keep their customers and employees safe. Very few businesses have seen an increase in growth or at least their footings steady. Retail businesses, especially the small ones, struggled to make it through a year of pandemic lockdown and restrictions.
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Focusing on Local SEO to Keep Your Business Afloat During Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic saw at least 235 brick-and-mortar businesses that closed shop permanently around the D.C. region. This number does not include the businesses that temporarily closed. Most of the permanent closures were a result of business owners not adapting their strategies accordingly.
Brick-and-mortar retailers that rely mostly on foot traffic will have difficulty getting customers because of the lockdowns and strict restrictions. However, it is still possible for them to cater to their customers by directly delivering their goods or services to their homes. One way of generating enough customers is to focus on your local SEO. Here are some among the reasons why SEO is crucial for small businesses during pandemic times.
Local Search is Important
During the pandemic, most people fear venturing far from their homes and will often search for businesses within their locality. Local SEO tactics will inform nearby customers that you are “open now” or have other options for them to get your products and services while being safe from infection. In addition, it is best to use local search queries to inform customers of different services available to them during the pandemic, such as curbside pickup, free delivery, or appointment scheduling for services.
Increased Support for Small Businesses
The pandemic has increased consumer support for local businesses. According to a survey, more than 53% of consumers are more likely to purchase from a local small business than national retailers. Make use of this community spirit by incorporating logos such as Made in D.C. or Buy Local in your website.
Post Informative Blog Posts
Most consumers are afraid to venture out of their homes. As a result, they spend more time web surfing for information. Therefore, it is important to instruct your Washington DC SEO company to write and post relevant content as part of your SEO strategy for trust-building.
When consumers find your contents reliable and useful, they will develop trust with your company and your brand. Then, when the time is safe to venture out again, these consumers will most likely do business with you compared to others that they have never heard of.
SEO is free if you have the technical know-how. Likewise, hiring a Washington DC SEO agency is not as expensive as it seems, especially if you hire them to improve your local SEO.
Focusing on local SEO is a potential solution for small businesses experiencing financial problems and slow customer turnout during the pandemic. In addition, focusing on local SEO will help you become more visible to local searches and set your business for success once the new normal begins.
