How Businesses Can Leverage Online Platforms Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

Last updated on February 2nd, 2023

Following the unforeseen wreck of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, about one-third of the global population is under lockdown. They have been ordered to stay home in an attempt to enact social-distancing, which is believed to be the most effective measure to subside the spread of this highly contagious virus. Not only the federal and state governments have taken this global pandemic seriously, but the companies in the virus-affected countries, too, are concerned about the health of their staff. They have come up with work-from-home policies, until this health emergency is curbed, as a measure to stop the virus from spreading. Thank God! We’re in the age of information technology that enables us to shift our work to virtual platforms.

“Necessity is the mother of invention” — a proverb which is often accredited to Plato, an Athenian philosopher in the ancient Greek, is true even in the present context.

When people are forced to stay home, and consequently offices, schools, entertainment centers, etc.are shutting down, businesses are rethinking their business models and embracing online platforms, digital transformation to stay in the competition.

This is a matter of survival. You, as a business owner, have to put every possible effort to minimize (if not wholly nullify) the impact of COVID-19 breakdown on your business.

You just can’t afford to leave any stone unturned in this cut-throat competitive market. Fast-track switching before your competitors could do; otherwise, you might be left behind in the race.

Anthony Robbins, an American philanthropist, has rightly observed, “Every problem is a gift–without problems, we would not grow.”

So, take the situation this way. Who knows, this crisis may prove to be an excellent opportunity for you. The entire world is witnessing a huge business overhaul, riding on the wave of digital transformation. So you do yours!

Here’s How Businesses Can Leverage Online Platforms Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

01. Implement Web Conferencing & Collaboration Tools

The COVID-19 pandemic has compelled over half of the world to enact lockdown. As a result, people are forced to stay home as a precautionary measure to stop the virus from spreading. But businesses cannot be stopped. They have started working remotely.

But for a smooth business functioning, employees need to communicate with external entities as well as within the company. Emails are not just enough; they need to be connected online for web conferencing for a better collaboration.

Many businesses have already adopted web conferencing tools such as Zoom, Google Hangout, and Webex, etc. These tools are experiencing a sharp surge across the globe.

So, online communication and collaboration tools have become the need of the hour to ensure that the entire business operations are streamlined. All you need to do is set aside an additional fund for purchasing subscriptions of these tools and provide training to your employees.

Don’t worry if productivity takes a hit. It will be for a very short period. Things will be streamlined in a week or two, depending on the nature of the business you’re into.

02. Buyers Will Flock To E-commerce Portals, Buckle Up

Lockdowns have not only affected offices but malls, restaurants, and retail outlets too.

In the US alone, over 158 million people are asked to stay home. Similarly, other countries too have enforced lockdown urging their people to maintain social distancing. Due to these precautionary measures, web traffic has grown by 50 percent.

As per a Criteo’s recent research, over 52 percent of the consumers in the US and UK are considering to shop online in the wake of COVID-19 breakout.

While Coresight Research — an advisory firm estimates that about 58 percent of US consumers will avoid public areas. Likewise, other shopping hubs in the world like Hong Kong, UAE, UK, etc. are taking a big hit.

Then, how should you prepare yourself to survive the COVID-19 lockdown?

Of course, it is the online route that you’ll have to embrace. You will have to shift focus more on the online delivery channel that necessitates the operational part to be tightened—the operation team will have to plan strategically to make sure the orders are fulfilled timely.

03. Move Events & Conferences To Online Platforms

For the sake of public protection from the deadly coronavirus, several physical events and conferences have been either postponed or canceled. Among them all, some prominent events that were called off are:

• Facebook’s F8
• Google’s I/O 2020
• Geneva Motor Show
• Mobile World Congress
• EmTech Asia

The event organizers had suffered significant losses due to the cancellations of these events. They suffered losses in the form of sponsorship withdrawals, refunds, and other expenses related to marketing and logistics.

According to a report, the tech industry is expected to lose about half a billion dollars due to the novel Coronavirus outbreak that forced organizers to call off their events.

Therefore, companies are moving to online avenues for conferences and events to subside their losses. Although finding substitutes to physical meetings and face-to-face interactions are impossible, online platforms will definitely help you survive the coronavirus lockdown.

Major Events That Have Shifted Their Events And Summits To An Online-Only Event Are:

• Trade Fairs, Germany
• Adobe Summit

So, be prepared with the essential software, equipment, along with other adjustments to adopt this new culture of organizing conferences and events.

04. Focus On Social Media And Content Quality

Since over half of the world’s population is forced to stay home in the wake of Coronavirus lockdown, people are turning to social media for spending their leisure time.

According to a survey conducted during the first week of India’s lockdown, around 75% of Indians were spending more time on social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, and WhatsApp as compared to the week before.

Similarly, in other parts of the globe like the US, UK, Italy, France, Spain, and other virus affected countries, people spend a considerable amount of time on different social media platforms.

You can reap this opportunity by strategically using these platforms. Shift your marketing focus to social channels and create content accordingly.

While creating content for social channels, keep in mind that around 52% of traffic worldwide comes from mobile devices. This is because of the change in the consumer’s behavior. Create content for micro-moments and as per the time-bucket.

This will go a long way in creating a buzz.

Check out the below infographic stating 4 ways businesses can leverage online platforms amidts coronavirus crisis:

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Conclusion

This is an unprecedented tough time for businesses across the world—no question about it. Companies are hardpressed to move to online avenues for survival. A plethora of firms around the world has already adopted this change. So you, too, should embrace it for good. It’s inevitable for you to start early— sketch out comprehensive migration plans for a seamless transition, and stay ahead in the competition.
Do you know any other tips on how businesses can leverage online platforms amid coronavirus lockdown? Let us know in comments below.