Ways to update your website to communicate COVID-19 changes to your business
Wow, what a start to the year! I can’t believe not long ago I was finding my way in the NYC crowds trying to get a glimpse of the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and now NYC is almost empty!
One of the first things that happened on Monday after the panic over the weekend here in Australia was phone call from my clients asking to update their website to communicate to customers on any COVID-19 issues that are affecting their business.
To help I decided to offer all of these announcements and updates for my clients free of charge - as we do need to help each other through this.
I also put together a list of the ways you can update your site with all of these special announcements or changes to your business reflected in your website.
ANNOUNCEMENT BAR
This is a great way to communicate on your website - it is the bar at the top - above menu that can be switched on and off and customers can close. This can contain an announcement and link.
It is very easy to do on Squarespace & is included in many Shopify templates.
POPUP
A popup forces visitors to read an announcement more than an announcement bar. It can be set up to appear each item a visitor comes back or only once per visitor (on Squarespace).
It can include an image and more text than an announcement bar.
NEWS ITEM
Create a news item with an update and pin it to be top of feed. Add feed to home page if possible for COVID-19 updates.
BANNER
Ad a banner to your site with a message - this is if there is a major change to your business.
You can replace existing banner or add a banner to home page.
A visual will help the message stand out.
CONTACT PAGE
Visitors often go to contact page to get in touch and therefore if your business is effected it is a good idea to add a message to this page.
GOOGLE LISTING
This is off site update but very important as many search for your business on Google. You can update your details and add annulments to this listing.
Some changes that your need to communicate?
Event websites - for event businesses - communicate if events are re-scheduled or going to be online
Commerce websites - if delivery / stock is effected
Food Venus websites - hygiene statement and if food delivery is now available.
Services based websites - options for meetings (online) and if worknig remotely and if hours are effected.
School websites - communicate updates to parents
