Lockdown restrictions and Covid-19 regulations are placing immense pressure on businesses across the world. Whether your business is currently unable to run normally, or at all, aim to use this forced “pause” in pace to reflect, adapt and find new ways to grow your company and sell your products or services.

1. Register a domain & build a company website

A company website is an absolute must in the digital age. Yet, 40% of small businesses don’t have one. In 702 Radio’s #TheMoneyShow successful entrepreneur and businessman Pavlo Phitidis expresses that he has been urging businesses to digitize for a couple of years because of the value it could add to your business. Being too busy, not having the funds, or perhaps not realising its true value, could be behind this high statistic, but it doesn’t need to stay this way.

You can have your own professional domain name, and build your own professional website quickly and easily for under R100 a month with Domains.co.za. Domains.co.za’ Site Builder packages include a Free .za domain name* and free website hosting.

If you already have a website, now is the time to look at it as if for the first time… Update your content and relook at how you are presenting your business online. Remember, your website is your 24/7 sales agent. It must be your hardest working employee. Give it the tools it needs to succeed.

2. Start selling online

Companies are thinking outside of the box. Restaurants and stores that never delivered before are implementing strategies to do so now. There are even some new local innovations to help fill the need-gap. Instead of waiting for delivery to your home, some retailers are asking customers to ‘pick-up’ and get their order ‘delivered’ to their car. Inspiring stuff!

If you can sell any of your products online (eCommerce plugin) – do it! The Government has opened the online sale and delivery of non-essential goods as well (except for alcohol and cigarettes of course.) Domains.co.za offers web designers, web developers, design companies and even entrepreneurs the opportunity to become resellers of our domains or web hosting and secure extra income as a result. Now is the time to be as resourceful as possible.

3. Market your business online

The world wide web offers various free marketing options that companies can take advantage of. Create or update your business’ social media pages and explore avenues you haven’t considered before. Is your LinkedIn Profile updated? Get it done and get ready to connect professionally.

There is a massive drive in South Africa to support local businesses and to help keep them afloat. Join this drive and make your business known.

4. Revisit your sales strategy

Review the way you are selling yourself. Is the sales presentation you use up to date or has it become a bit stale? Refresh it! Are you following up on leads effectively?

Are your emails professional enough? Remember, if you are currently sending any email to anyone using a @gmail or @hotmail account you’ve lost the war before it has even begun. The first step to sending out an effective sales email is by sending it from your company’s domain name.

We’ve brought in Email Only Hosting, which can help startups do this without needing to sign up for a full hosting package, until you are ready.

5. Invest in your team

When business is slow, use the free time your team has to improve their skills. There are an abundance of short, online courses, webinars and e-books covering a vast range of topics.

Research the most relevant and most affordable and let your team learn something new or grow a skill they already had. Companies that invest in their employees through education benefit from this on a number of levels.

We are local website hosting and domains company offering a variety of value-added products and services that will help entrepreneurs, startups and small businesses show their professionalism online.

We also have efficient and knowledgeable Sales or Support Teams to assist you to choose the perfect package for you and your business.

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Chantel Venter

Chantél Venter is a creative writer, strategic thinker, and a serious gesticulator. She’s passionate about storytelling, small businesses and bringing color to the world ­– be it through her words or wardrobe.

She holds a four-year degree in Business and Mass Media Communication and Journalism. She’s been a copywriter and editor for the technology, insurance and architecture industries since 2007 and believes anybody can run a small business successfully. She therefore enjoys finding and sharing the best and most practical tips for this purpose.