As the health crisis develops daily, countless retail outlets have been forced to shut their doors, posing a huge threat to Australian businesses. As a result, the spike in online shopping has reverberated internationally as shopping precincts and centres lock their doors and consumers spend their days at home.

These unprecedented times are hard on everyone, but none more so than small and medium enterprises (SME’s) and start-ups who already sacrifice their time and money to stay open. It’s difficult to stand by and watch retailers close up shop with the potential to never reopen because they are unable to sustain profitable business.

It can be daunting to make the jump online for SME’s, but there is no better time than right now to experiment with what works best for your brand. Integrating an online presence can broaden your businesses’ reach by tenfold and allow new and loyal customers to access your products and services from the comfort of their living room.

Not only is it an opportunity to receive sales while income may be tight, moving online during lockdown also means your business will have another revenue stream established for when retailers are able to open their doors again. Think of it as a trial phase – an opportunity to test the waters.

I’ve put together some useful tips to empower SMEs to begin online trading during COVID-19 and well into the future.

Tips for moving your business online:

*  When creating a website, ensure your home page is clear and concise, while still reflecting your branding and key messaging.

*  Ensure your social media accounts are connected to your website, allowing easier navigation between pages, which can often result in growth of sales.

*  Make sure contact information is easily accessible. During this difficult time, it can be confusing for customers who do not often shop online to adapt to digital platforms. Make sure a phone number and email are available for any queries.

*  Provide options for your customers – if you can offer Click & Collect functions, do so. It will allow locals and regulars to come by as they usually would.

*  Ensure you engage with a simple postage and payment service, so customers feel at ease when purchasing. This will also help you when organising orders!

*  Maintain social media presence while staying aware of the current situation. Misinterpreted comments on social media can have lasting negative impacts on your business. Ensure you are contributing to your community while supporting them.

*  Not only can you connect your social accounts, you can also link your eBay, Amazon, and websites together to ensure each platform is run through the same delivery and payment service.

Whether creating an online platform has been on your radar for a while or you’re searching for ways to continue trading during the pandemic, it is simple to create a sophisticated and successful digital store.

Digital8 is a leading full servicing digital agency based in Brisbane offering website and app development, strategy and digital marketing solutions. Digital8 and all-in-one eCommerce platform, Neto, have joined forces to provide Australian retailers the much-needed tools through their COVID-19 Support Pack to get their businesses up and running online during the financial pressures of Coronavirus.