Lessons from lockdown: time to review your website and make sure it’s fit for purpose

1. UK internet usage is at an all-time high



Ofcom, the UK regulator for TV, radio broadband and mobile services, noted a surge in internet usage during the lockdown. Average daily time spent online for UK adults increased to 4 hours 2 minutes in April 2020. There were also huge increases in key areas like video conferencing, with Zoom seeing a near 2,000% increase in users. In a world where digital is the new normal, it’s more important than ever before that your business’ online presence is the best it can be.

2. Lockdown sparked a wave of entrepreneurism 



Some people have turned the difficult situations of redundancy, furlough or reduced working hours into the opportunity to start a business. Jan Hammer of venture capital firm Index Ventures, described the coronavirus pandemic as a ‘catalyst for creation’ and suggested that in many ways it was a great time to start a business. UK firm Transmit Startups make a similar case, citing Burger King, FedEx, Microsoft and General Motors as businesses that started during economic recessions or depressions. For entrepreneurs, new business owners, or simply those exploring a side-hustle, an appealing website is the perfect starting point for generating interest in a new venture.

3. You need to let your customers know how you’re operating



Many businesses are operating differently as a result of Coronavirus and this process of rapid adaptation is likely to continue. There are a vast range of changes facing businesses including reduced business hours, accommodating remote working, interruptions to deliveries, a smaller staff base and adjusting to implementing social distancing measures in premises. Your website needs to be updated to tell your customers how they can continue to buy from you during these times and which of your services are affected.

4. Businesses are diversifying their offerings to customers



The Federation for Small Businesses found that 10% of all UK small businesses started to produce a new service during lockdown. There was also a growth in producing new products or goods, with 6% of UK businesses diversifying into new production. When businesses diversify there are lots of options available to them; from incorporating the new products alongside their existing offering to launching a new sub-brand. In all cases your customers need to know about your new creation and your website is the perfect tool for this. It not only needs to be updated and current, but your website design and features need to reflect your new business area and appeal to its customer base.

5. Online sales are increasing as transactions move online 



The lockdown sparked an increased demand for online shopping. Comparison site Idealo surveyed 1,500 UK adults and nearly half of those said that online shopping made them happier during COVID-19 lockdown and almost a third made a purchase weekly. Selling directly through a business website or third-party marketplace was seen by many business owners as essential to survival. Yahoo Finance reported that more than 85,000 UK businesses launched an online store or joined online marketplaces for the first time in the period March – June 2020. Adding an online shop or commerce function to an existing website is a great way to expand functionality and offer your customers a more direct sales experience.

6. The south-west experienced the greatest increase in e-commerce



Whilst all parts of the UK saw an increase in businesses moving to online sales, the south-west saw the greatest increase in relation to the total number of businesses in the region. 4,170 businesses launched a new e-commerce offering or shop during lockdown, equating to 1.87% of south-west businesses. The next closest regions were Yorkshire and the Humber (1.82%) and East Midlands (1.81%). By contrast, just 1.23% of Scottish businesses launched a new e-commerce offer in the same period. There’s never been a better time to make sure your business is part of this shift and that your website is well positioned compared to competitors. 

7. Small businesses are making a big difference…and your customers need to know! 



The Federation for Small Businesses has highlighted the many ways small businesses made a difference during lockdown. They report that 57% of small business leaders carried out key community roles during lockdown, 30% prioritised supporting vulnerable customers, 24% donated provisions to local food banks and 19% made home deliveries to customers free of charge. If you or your business played a part in supporting your community, why not let your customers know by incorporating a blog or news section to your website.

And don’t forget social media!



A great website is an essential online marketplace for your business – it tells your customers about your business, your products and you. News and blogs are a great way of keeping your customers updated and informed. But for more frequent engagement social media is an essential tool and also experienced a similar surge in usage during lockdown. Video sharing site TikTok was probably the biggest success story, growing its UK user base by 7.5 million from January to April 2020 (a 139% increase!). 

Why a website review and redesign could really help your business right now…



A) Perhaps the most consistent theme of 2020 so far is that nothing is consistent! Rapid changes and shifts in business, social and domestic practices have become the norm. If you don’t have the ability to change and add content to your website easily you could miss opportunities to keep your customers informed. Switching to a website with a simple Content Management System (CMS) that allows you to make edits directly is a great option right now.



B) Another major shift is an increase in direct sales through websites. Adding an eCommerce function like an online shop for your products enables you to keep selling to customers, whatever the rest of 2020 and beyond has in store.



C) It’s always good to regularly review your website design, layout and content and consider if it’s time for a fresh new look. If your business has undergone changes in product ranges or working practices, then a new-look website is a great way of underpinning this transformation.

Starting out, starting over, or trying something new…we’re here to help.

Whatever stage your business is at we can help with website design, social media and more. We’re experts in creating quality, responsive websites with features that work for your business. If you’d like to learn more about the features and advantages of a QuayClick website, then please contact us in Exeter today.