Despite the many steps to consider, remember that social media is part social. (Rachel May/northeastNOW staff)

By Rachel May

Digital World

Adapting to a digital world is the next step for businesses

Oct 29, 2021 | 5:00 PM

As businesses look ahead, they are wondering how the world will look after the COVID-19 pandemic is over and everything seems to be going digital.

At a meeting of the Melfort Trade Alliance Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 26, the reality of online shopping services was discussed.

The CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Steve McLellan said businesses not willing to adapt face a bleak future.

“We could lose more businesses because people have learned to shop online,” McLellan told northeastNOW. “People are ordering groceries online and picking them up, going on Amazon and doing their shopping by looking for things online.”

McLellan suggests having a full product line and prices online for customers to access to solve this problem.

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Additionally, the hours of operation should be posted and easily accessible.

Asking what platforms your customers are using is the first step toward becoming more digitally savvy.

McLellan offered some advice to those who may encounter difficulties setting up a digital storefront.

“If the person who runs the business isn’t the person who can do this there are lots of young people and older people who are technically skilled,” he said.

To take the next step, don’t be afraid of words like search engine optimization and don’t compare yourself to large corporations.

“You’re never going to compete with Amazon. Just play their game,” McLellan said. “When they look for a business in Melfort you need to be there. They have to be able to find you, if you are not there is Amazon.”

The key to knowing what content to post is to keep it local to engage your audience.

“Congratulate your local hockey team, Celebrate staff birthdays, Tell the mayor what good a person they are. Whatever it is to keep you in their realm and face of your clients,” McLellan added.

One of the last steps is to remember the key word in social media.

“It’s not just telling you about my products. You have to be social,” McLellan added. “If you came into my store, I would talk to you about the weather or the riders game. Social media is part social.”

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Rachel.May@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @RachelMayFM