five Resolutions to Help Your Small Business Thrive in 2021
The start of a new year presents small business owners with an opportunity to pause and reflect on the previous year’s challenges and accomplishments. Looking back, we’re able to gain clarity on what may have worked well and what needs improvement.
2020 was a particularly difficult year for small businesses who were tested in unprecedented ways with the outbreak of COVID-19. While we all slowed down and took pause in our personal lives, small business owners were rapidly figuring out how to react and adapt professionally.
Looking forward with feelings of both optimism and uncertainty, businesses are undoubtedly reevaluating their plans and processes. The problems encountered in 2020 required unique solutions that reshaped the way we’ll do business in 2021 – including a new set of goals for the year ahead.
Consider these five New Year’s resolutions to help your small business thrive in 2021:
1. Optimize Your Website
By now your small business should have a website, and if it doesn’t, you need one ASAP. If it’s not in your budget to hire a website designer, there are many user-friendly programs like Wix, Sqaurespace, and Weebly that allow you to build your own website. Learn more about some the top rated builders in this article by TechRadar: https://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-website-builder. While it’s important to maintain a strong social media presence, you shouldn’t rely on that alone. Keeping your website up-to-date and automated will result in a better user experience that inspires confidence in your consumer base.
As the world becomes more and more digitalized, it’s crucial for business owners to embrace technology. With social distancing policies in effect and consumers staying home more, small businesses need to stay competitive with larger retail stores by offering online purchasing options. If your website platform doesn’t already include ecommerce tools, there are third-party companies that can help. Check out some more ideas from the Small Business Administration here.
2. Increase Engagement
It’s likely that your face-to-face encounters with customers have declined over the past year. Social media affords small businesses simple and often instantaneous engagement with their consumers. Take advantage of these free platforms to connect with your customer base. Maintain your presence by interacting with comments, answering questions, and sticking to a consistent posting schedule. Take a deeper dive into social media strategies for 2021 with Entrepreneur.com.
Ask for feedback and provide opportunities for customers to review your business. By showing customers that you value their opinion, it sends the message that you also value their business. There are various strategies you can implement to encourage your customers to write you a review. Here are some helpful ideas from Databox.
3. Support Other Small Businesses
In today’s uncertain economic climate, many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat. Now is the time for small businesses to band together to support one another. By collaborating with other local businesses, you can build your own brand awareness and gain exposure to an entirely new group of potential consumers. Forbes.com shares 10 Practical Ways to Support Your Fellow Small Business owners.
4. Prioritize Company Culture
Nurture your company culture and your employees. The past year has taken a toll on all of us and having a stressed staff can negatively impact productivity within the workplace. Foster a positive work environment by offering adequate paid time off, tools to deal with stress, and a safe space for employees to express their feelings. Get more ideas for boosting morale from Business News Daily.
5. Review Your Insurance Coverage
Small business insurance is one of the most crucial pieces of protecting your livelihood, yourself, employees and even your customers. Without it, you could get stuck paying out of pocket for the costs of any damages or legal claims brought against your company. Coverage and rates may vary depending on the industry you’re in, so the best way to make sure you’re properly covered is by speaking with an insurance agent. SIS Insurance can review your current policy and make recommendations based upon your businesses unique needs, as well as find any discounts you may be eligible for.
SIS Insurance is here to help.
Whether you have a question about your coverage or need a new policy, we’re here to help! SIS Insurance takes the time to provide professional, expert advice on the coverage and products best fit for your needs. Contact us today!
518.783.1010