These days are trying times; and for a lot of e-retailers, this is probably the biggest challenge we’ve ever had to face since the inception of eCommerce. For one, the only thing we are certain about right now is that we know that even after this pandemic is solved, our normal lives are changed forever. While we can only speculate how things are going to evolve from here or when it is going to end, it is imperative now more than ever, to take necessary measures to adapt your business to this changing landscape.

That said, in today’s episode, Kunle talks about 11 ways you should follow to keep your eCommerce business afloat in the wake of COVID-19.

1. Stay safe – life is more important than anything else.

2. Assess your supply chain and delivery partners
.

3. Governments will want eCommerce to function
.

4. Write to your customers immediately
.

5. Organise remote working
.

6. Communicate with your 3PL partners.

7. Ensure your Warehouse staff is safe
.

8. Reach out to all service providers, see if you can secure any payment holidays
.

9. It is not business as usual and so be empathetic in all of your communications, social media, email, etc
.

10. Stay abreast on grants, loans and support from the government. 11. Facebook business grants
.

Covered Topics:

• 11 actions you need to take for your eCommerce business amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

Podcast Show Notes:

• 01:34 – Figure out how the eCommerce industry is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic through Klaviyo’s COVID-19 Daily Pulse Update. Check out Klaviyo
• 02:42 – Necessary steps you need to take as an e-retailer
• 03:44 – Action #1: Be Safe.
• 04:10 – Action #2: Assess your logistics and your supply chain partners.
  • Keep communication lines open.
  • Update your customers and inform them of the delays.
• 06:30 – Action#3: Online retailers will be the lifeline of commerce.
• 07:44 – Action #4: Write to your customers immediately.
  It’s never too late to write a COVID-19 statement.
  • Be open and show that you care.
  • Do a video and show what happens in the backend.
• 08:57 – Get the easiest way to backup your Shopify or BigCommerce store and undo unwanted changes with Rewind.io… Mention you heard about them at 2x eCommerce Podcast and get a ONE MONTH FREE TRIAL
• 10:36 – Action #5: Organise remote working.
  • Dropbox
  • Microsoft Suite
  • Google Suite
• 12:44 – Action #6: Communicate with your 3PL partners
.
  What are their safety procedures in their warehouses?
• 13:42 –  Action #7: Ensure your warehouse staff are safe
.
  Create the safest environment for your warehouse team.
• 14:42 – Action #8: Reach out to all service providers and see if you can secure any payment holidays.
  • Monitor your biggest expenses and ask for payment holidays or rebates.
  • Cut down on costs.
  • Save money to preserve your business.
• 16:38 – Action #9: It is not BAU (Business As Usual) so be empathetic in all of your communications.
  • Check your content and make sure that it is in touch with your audience.
  • Be empathetic, relevant, and relatable.
• 18:16 – Action #10: Stay abreast with grants and support from the government.
  • Small business loans and grants
  • Consult with your accountant on how you can get hold of those opportunities.
• 19:14 – Action #11: Check out the Facebook business grants.
• 21:32 – Join the 2xEcommerce Facebook Group

Topic Takeaways:

• Prioritize your safety and the safety of all your employees.
• Take a very agile approach and ensure that on a regular basis communication lines are open between you and your logistics and supply chain partners.
• What we all need to do is to use this opportunity to be human.
• Be on the lookout for grants, loans, and other forms of support that can help you anchor your business from this crisis

Tweetable Quotes:

Now is a golden opportunity for a lot of brands to be human. This is the time to really show and open your vulnerabilities, and be honest and show that you essentially care.

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