How small businesses can adapt to digital sales

If you own a small business or frequently shop at one, you know that COVID-19 has instantly changed everything. As brick-and-mortar shops have had to temporarily close to customers, the need to adapt has never been greater. For small businesses willing to reinvent themselves, going digital — or ramping up your digital operation if you already have one — can help you weather the storm. There are plenty of tools available to help your business survive — and even thrive — through the pandemic and beyond. “Helping small businesses find fast paths to recovery as they navigate an overnight move to digital commerce is a top priority at Visa,” said Jack Forestell, chief product officer at Visa. “Using our network, partners and products, we help sellers get online easily and maximize their digital experience to reach more customers.” Forestell detailed six insights about today’s current landscape, including ways your business can pivot and master the strategies to move forward. Millions of new buyers are shopping online, some for the first time, and many more are shopping for items they never thought they would buy outside of their local businesses. To keep them shopping with you, your business should provide a convenient, easy-to-use online shopping experience, along with a marketing approach to boost your digital presence. Use your existing customer email/mailing list to let customers know they’ll be able to find your business online soon — even if you’re not yet ready to launch. Reminding loyal customers of your business is key during this transition period, before their new shopping habits have solidified. With many businesses eager to welcome

“Helping small businesses find fast paths to” recovery ... Jack Forestell, chief product officer at Visa.

customers back into stores, their return will also bring new protocols and procedures. Offering contactless payment options in-store means that customers can tap and go, avoiding the need for them to touch the checkout terminal. Not only is tapping to pay a reliable solution, contactless transactions are secured with dynamic EM Chip security technology that has already shown to drastically reduce counterfeit fraud. Using an established leader in contactless transacting, such as Visa, helps you and your customers have a seamless experience. Visa works with partners worldwide to support secure transactions, with capabilities that are constantly updated to help meet today’s challenges Build your business, and pay employees securely by partnering with an experienced financial network. As circumstances quickly change, employees and customers need and expect quick and secure access to their money digitally. For example, Visa offers fast and secure money-movement options. Through Visa Direct, companies can pay employees or gig workers quickly by moving money to Visa debit cards in real time. Whether a business is new to online, experiencing an influx of customers and/or rapidly revamping an online presence, our new normal is causing businesses to pivot and prioritize digital operation. Visa can help businesses shift to an online-led selling strategy that works wherever you are in the world. To help your small business adapt, visit partner.visa.com

Photo by iStock Local businesses are learning to adapt as customers shop from home. Many businesses are adding digital solutions that allow customers to shop online.