Helping your business through COVID-19

You may need to adjust your business operations during this time. This could mean changing your hours, temporarily closing, or changing the types of products and services you offer. You can communicate this information to customers with a Business Profile on Google. Get started here, and once you are verified, you will be able to manage your profile.

If you now offer online services, add an appointment URL to your profile or activate bookings to add a "Book Online" button.

As this situation evolves and customer behavior changes, online advertising is one way to keep your current and potential customers up to date. With Google Ads, you can communicate the information that you think is most relevant to them during this time, like changes to your offerings, inventory, or hours.

Google Ads has built-in automated solutions that will help optimize your ad campaigns to show the right message to the right user, at the right time. To ensure your advertising is reflecting your business priorities, you may also want to update your Google Ads campaigns.

Customer behavior is changing with new regulations, so you may be wondering what your specific customers need from a business like yours right now. Consider asking them directly via your social media channels. You can also use tools like Google Trends, Google Alerts, and explore the fastest rising retail categories in Google Search for more insights.

You may also be looking to shift some of your products or services online. Start by thinking about what value you offer your customers. Are there ways for you to offer that value in a different format or online channel? For example:

• A retailer with a brick and mortar shop might sell products online
• A restaurant might offer online ordering for pickup and delivery
• A personal trainer might begin virtual training sessions for clients
• An artist might host a YouTube livestream to teach classes

If you do not have a website for your business, start by getting a domain and exploring options for building a website. Your website can be simple – just make sure you include key information about your business and how potential customers can contact you.

If you are interested in exploring online food ordering options for your restaurant, consider trying The Ordering.app, which is now part of Google. It can help you to quickly get your menu online and integrates easily with select POS (point of sale) systems.

You can also consider starting a free YouTube channel for your business. You can create videos to introduce your business, showcase what’s great about your products or services or teach customers how to do something new.

You and your team may already be working remotely, or you may be preparing for that possibility in the future. Try these digital tools to help you and your team stay connected and productive from afar.