The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly altered the way businesses – particularly small businesses – operate in 2020. Several small businesses, both in the United States and worldwide, were forced to close their doors due to the pandemic.
In fact, a Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS) survey found that roughly 43% of the 5,800 participating small businesses had to shut down temporarily, largely due to reductions in demand and employee health concerns.
As a result of these closures, companies have been forced to adapt and shift their activities to the online sphere.
This is likely one of the many reasons we’ve seen such a noticeable uptick in online activity since the pandemic began.
How COVID-19 Changed Customer Behaviors?
Akamai, the content-delivery, cloud, and cybersecurity company that comprises a large part of the Internet, has reported seeing a more than 50% increase in daily traffic than the average day pre-COVID.
Clearly, businesses and consumers alike are in the process of adapting to the ever-changing digital marketplace in the wake of COVID-19. As a result, it’s vital for small businesses to build and curate their online presence as a means of maintaining connection with their customers in these trying times.
One of the best ways to this is by prioritizing your business’ website design to ensure your website is reaching your customers while accurately representing your brand identity.
What makes effective website design so important for small businesses navigating COVID-19?
Effective website design serves several purposes for small businesses hoping to survive the pandemic.
Firstly, your business’ website is one of your sole forms of brand representation, especially with the restrictions posed by COVID-19.
Pre-pandemic, your website may have simply been a complement to other forms of brand representation, such as a storefront. But if your storefront has shut down, your website is now likely the primary medium through which your brand reaches your customers.
With that in mind, you want to make sure your website is as effective as possible in reaching your customers, facilitating their user experience, and conveying your brand identity.
Additionally, customers’ habits and expectations have changed in the wake of COVID-19; many consumers have increased their online shopping activity since the outbreak and therefore expect companies to accommodate their changing habits.
Creating A User-Friendly Website Design
The best way for companies to meet these rapidly changing consumer needs is to create a website with a strong, user-friendly design. You can also get help from the must-have web design tools for it.
While it’s important to remain up-to-date on current website design trends to stay ahead of the curve, there are certain staples that every effective website should have. Some of these include intuitive navigation, visual design, content, information accessibility, and branding
A surefire way to ensure your website design has these criteria while also standing out against its competitors is to seek the assistance of a website design company.
With extensive industry knowledge, experienced web designers know the best practices to follow to ensure your business’ website stands out while providing excellent user experience. From selecting the right font to creating custom designs, these experts work collaboratively with you to bring your vision into reality.
Conclusion
Clearly, the COVID-19 pandemic has been an unprecedented challenge for small businesses worldwide.
If you are a small business owner, you’re likely to feel the effects of these challenges. One of the most effective ways to mitigate the pandemic’s repercussions on your business and navigate these trying times effectively is by ensuring your company’s website design is as strong as possible.
In researching the criteria of an effective website and recruiting the assistance of a website design company, you’ll facilitate your connection to your customers and ensure your small business’s survival.