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4 Ways to Grow Your Business During COVID-19

Bassem Ghali is a 2-time winner of the Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year award and a digital marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience working with companies such as Canadian Tire, Vistaprint, Remax Canada, Alpha Laps, Xplornet, and Toronto Star.


The CoronaVirus Pandemic has without a doubt become one of the biggest crises the world has ever faced. And as a business owner, you’re thrown into a harrowing situation that is beyond your control. Let’s face it, No one could have predicted the severity of the effects of this virus, much less prepared for it. View our digital marketing services for small business!


But what if I told you there are ways your business can grow from this Lockdown? And maybe even ways for your business to come out of this crisis even better than before? Let’s start by identifying what category you fall into. Businesses have been impacted in 3 ways

Positive impact  (We will not be focusing on these)

  • Medical supplies
  • Online grocery stores
  • Essential businesses

Hard Negative impact  (No longer can-do business)

  • Travel & Tourism
  • Real estate
  • Financial 
  • Local retail 

Medium Negative impact  (Can still do business but suffer low demand)

  • Consultants like accountant, lawyers
  • Local service providers
  • Restaurants (online delivery only)

Forecast of the Near Future & How Should You React



Now in situations where we cant be sure of anything, we can always look back in history find similar situations because chances are, we’ll come across something useful


The last time something like this happened was when Spanish flu hit in 1918 and the financial meltdown 2008. Correlating those two scenarios to what we currently know about coronavirus, It will probably take 3 to 9 months for things to go back to normal.


When that happens there’s gonna be a huge demand on services that were impacted negatively. People will want to do things they weren’t able to during quarantine like eat out, travel, purchase homes or go shopping. With that being said, it’s best to put yourself in a more positive head-space and avoid the psychological warfare that you are never going to recover from this because one thing that’s evident in history is that Humanity always wins.


Your best move right now is to Capitalize on this slow time so once things go back to normal, your business will be in a much better place and if you play your cards right, you can attract 2X to 3X business than before!


Most businesses have made decisions to put everything on hold to wait and see what’s going to happen, but most people who benefited heavily from the 2008 financial meltdown who were the people that doubled down and invested heavily in the stock market at that time. The movie “The Big Short” can attest to this.


Putting everything on hold is the worst thing you can do right now. So instead of that,now is the time to be proactive.



Advice for Hard Negative Impact Business

You might never get another chance like this in your lifetime to slow down and reflect on your business and see what has worked or not worked for you in the past few years

Take this opportunity to look internal and take a deeper look on how to reinvent your business to tackle these projects that has been on hold for a very long time like

  • redesigning your website
  • creating new products or services
  • start implementing an effective SEO strategy.

Now is the perfect time to work on your SEO. SEO takes 3 to 6 month to see results and once you can have 20 or 40 keywords on the first page of Google you can simply double your business once things go back to normal!

For example: One of our big realtor clients paused all their advertising and switched their budget to one of the most aggressive SEO plans we ever implemented, targeting 400 to 500 keywords for 20+ cities and more than a 100 neighborhoods. You can only imagine where their business would be like when he starts seeing the results in 3 to 6 month and things go back to normal.

Now, you don’t need to go that big but at least start thinking about your SEO strategy, how do you rank against your competitors? What would business be like if you can get 20 or 30 keyword rankings on the 1st page of Google?

Advice for Medium Negative Impact Business



All the previous advice is still applicable to you but here’s what you need to know that major companies like Google wouldn’t tell you. It’s estimated that 50% to 70% of business have cut their advertising budgets significantly or have even paused all their campaigns.


Now what does this mean for you? 


As you know Google & Bing Ads are auction based and with less competitors that means you can get the leads and sales much cheaper than you used to.


For example: We have some clients that have maintained their advertising budget and seen their best month ever in 5 years because they are capitalizing on this opportunity.


At Green Lotus I have doubled our advertising budget and now we’re getting leads and sales 60% cheaper than the same time last year. However, I don’t recommend every business to take such a risky move as we did but the least you can do is to not shut down all your advertising channels.


Google & Bing ads are the safest place to advertise right now. These are Pay Per Click set ups so you only pay when a pre qualified user searches for a service that you offer and clicks on your ad. With this setup, you can control you budget and spend in real time so you can adapt fast if things are working or not working.


You can measure every interaction, lead and sales plus be able to calculate your return on investments using simple tools like Google Analytics and dynamic phone tracking.

4 Free Green Lotus Services You Can Take Advantage Of


 

  • Request a free site audit and marketing consultation with one of our experts and we will provide you with outstanding strategic advice regardless if you wish to work with us or not.

 

  • Join Green Lotus academy for free and enjoy many educational hands-on SEO training, webinars and much more

 

  • Signup for 100% free trial for Green Lotus SEO tools and free get 1 on 1 hands-on SEO training and SEO advice

 

  • Take advantage of our limited time of 100% free site design services on our new platform called Smart Site … here’s the 3 top reasons why you should switch to smart site

 

A -It’s the only site you can do content personalization with no coding (show popup of location or after hours)

B -it’s designed for Google and Hosted on amazon CDN network (site is loading from hundreds of services)

C – it’s the first site builder designed for mobile users first with more than 60% of web traffic and sales come from mobile, you need to ensure your site perform in an outstanding way


Of course, we are fully aware of the struggles that everyone is facing during these hard times, nonetheless it would be our pleasure to help your business out with your digital marketing strategy and hopefully by the end of all this, we will emerge with our businesses better than ever and ready for the reformation of society.

Google's AI Overviews
by Bassem Ghali 14 Oct, 2024
Artificial intelligence (AI), local search engine optimization (SEO), and digital marketing aren't just buzzwords anymore; they're how your small business may realize its digital potential. The rules have again altered thanks to Google's recent innovations in generative AI search. This technology doesn't just make it faster to find information; it also changes how you study, plan, and even come up with new ideas, which will help you get more leads and grow your business. What is Generative AI Search? Imagine asking Google a complex question like, "Find the best HVAC technicians in North York with at least ten years of experience and emergency service availability." With generative AI, you won't have to wade through pages of results; instead, you'll get a brief synopsis of the best possibilities with links to their websites that emphasize their salient qualities. This feature is used by Google's new Gemini model, which is designed to search, to give more complete and easy-to-use results. How Can Generative AI Benefit Your Small Business? For small business owners in Toronto, like contractors, plumbers, or cleaning services, generative AI search offers a wealth of opportunities: Enhanced Local SEO Want to show up in those helpful AI summaries? Generative AI helps you understand what your customers are searching for and how to optimize your website accordingly. Check our Local SEO Services! Streamlined Research Do you ever feel like there is too much information for you to handle, especially when it comes to the newest ways to get rid of pests or fix water damage? Getting water from a firehose is impossible! The most important information can be summed up by generative AI to help you quickly understand what you need without being too overloaded. It's kind of like your own CliffNotes for staying up to date in your area. Improved Decision-Making Sometimes we get stuck on a paper while we try to figure out how to sell our business or buy new tools in a way that gets us the most for our money. It can feel like putting together a puzzle that no one has all the pieces for! But what if you had a professional with you to help you sort through the choices and weigh the pros and cons? AI that can make things can do that. To have someone you can trust help you make smart business choices is like having a trusted guide. Boosted Productivity You can focus on other important things while creative AI plans things like team-building events or meal plans.
by Bassem Ghali 10 Oct, 2024
Almost half (46%) of all Google searches are for local information, such as "near me" searches. Homeowners use their smartphones to find solutions for everything from leaky faucets to faulty wiring. For companies offering home services, roofing , electricians , plumbers and contracting like yours, local SEO is crucial to ensure that you are the top choice when urgent needs arise. This guide offers a simplified approach to local SEO, specifically designed for busy contractors or home service providers. We will avoid using complex language and provide practical strategies and real-world examples to help you attract local customers, convert leads, and dominate your service area. The Foundations of Local SEO Success Google My Business (GMB): Complete Your Profile: Include accurate and detailed information about your business. Verify Your Listing: Confirm your business's digital address with Google. Categorize Strategically: Select categories that precisely match your services. Encourage Reviews: Positive reviews build trust and credibility. Engage with GMB Posts: Share updates and offers to keep your profile active. NAP Citations: Ensure Consistency: Maintain identical Name, Address, and Phone number across all online platforms. Prioritize Quality: Focus on reputable directories and avoid spammy listings. On-Page Optimization: Keyword Research: Identify and incorporate relevant keywords into your website content. Optimize Title Tags and Meta Descriptions: Craft compelling descriptions that entice clicks. Create Localized Content: Develop pages targeting specific neighborhoods or areas you serve. Mobile-First Approach: Ensure your website is responsive and user-friendly on all devices. Optimize Website Speed: A fast-loading website improves user experience and search rankings. Link Building: Local Partnerships: Collaborate with complementary businesses for cross-promotion and link exchange. Community Engagement: Sponsor local events or participate in community forums to earn links and build goodwill. Guest Blogging: Share your expertise on relevant industry blogs to gain exposure and backlinks. Reviews and Reputation Management: Monitor Reviews: Actively respond to both positive and negative reviews. Address Concerns: Resolve issues raised in negative reviews to demonstrate customer commitment. Encourage Feedback: Make it easy for satisfied customers to leave positive reviews.
by Bassem Ghali 08 Oct, 2024
Google AI Overviews in Search are now live. Google has announced that search results offer more than ever imagined with the help of generative AI. This new feature is made possible by a new Google Gemini model customized for Google Search, which brings advanced capabilities such as multi-step reasoning and planning. Imagine getting a quick, smart summary of any topic you search for online. That's what Google's AI Overviews do! They pull information from many places and give you the main points, like a super-intelligent friend explaining something. This is a significant change from how search used to work. Before, Google mostly looked for websites that matched the words you typed. Now, it's using AI to understand what you want to know, even if you don't say it perfectly. Consider this: earlier, you had to find the correct key to unlock the door. The door now understands your needs and opens itself! This new AI is altering the way websites are discovered. It is no longer just about repeating keywords. Websites must provide well-written, factual material that is useful to visitors. They must also be well-organized so that the AI can interpret them. For the ned user, this means getting better search results, get concise summaries at the top, and you can click to learn more. But it also means that creators – those who make websites – must improve their game. Imagine Google AI is a detective searching for clues. You wouldn't want to rely on gossip and rumors, right? You'd want solid evidence from trustworthy sources. The same goes for the information on your website. We can help, check our Digital Marketing & Local SEO Services . Google AI Overviews vs. Traditional Search Snippets AI overviews are transforming the way we search! They swiftly synthesize complicated subjects, extracting critical information from top publications. Consider it as a buddy explaining something complex. However, this affects websites since individuals may find answers without clicking links. People may obtain the necessary information without clicking on links. AI overviews are helpful but affect how we search for and locate information online. How to Adapting Your SEO Strategy for Google AI Overviews Want your website to shine in Google searches? Focus on amazing content that answers questions thoroughly. Think "how-to guides with all the bells and whistles!" Don't just follow easy recipes! A well-organized website is important if you want to share your baking knowledge. Tip: Use clear headings and a sensible flow to show how to do things like swap out ingredients and fix problems. This makes it easier for Google to find your content and show it off in AI Overviews. Content is still king! Google's primary job is to assist people in locating information by finding, processing, and rendering webpages before adding them to an end x. When a user types in a query, search engines extract and rank "relevant webpages from the index." By constantly improving and changing algorithms, the goal is to make sure that users get the most useful results.
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