Since the first case of coronavirus was reported in China, the world has tremendously changed now due to this ongoing crisis. The coronavirus has been spreading exponentially and has disrupted the lives of people in an unprecedented way.
Though it is true that online businesses are still not as badly affected as their offline counterparts, the impact of COVID19 on many sectors is still gruesome. Many offline businesses have tried to take their business online in a glimmering hope.
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It is estimated that Coronavirus could cost the global economy $2.7 Trillion. And according to a survey by Conductor, 63% of respondents said that SEO would gain in importance either slightly or steeply during the economic downturn.
The pandemic has caused a shift in the consumption patterns of consumers. There is increased download of grocery and medical delivery apps, more time is being spent on social media and there is increased browsing from desktops than mobile phones.
With most people staying at and working from home, businesses are constantly trying to cater to them. But with vast disruptions in consumer behavior, the way ahead for all online businesses across the globe is to re-visit their SEO strategies, be aware, analyse the trends, and then adapt accordingly.
According to Statista, the impact of Coronavirus on online traffic of selected industries worldwide is worth noticing.
Businesses like supermarket, media, telecom, marketplace/retail have seen an increase in online traffic whereas businesses like cosmetics, home furnishing, luxury, jewelry and watch, tourism, entertainment, and events, etc.
One of the worst hits are offline businesses due to the government’s guidelines of quarantining, self-isolation, social distancing, lockdowns, or curfews in most countries leading to reduced or no foot traffic in shops, cafes, book stores, malls, movie theatres, gyms, coaching classes, seminars, etc.
In the first three months of 2020, there is a sharp decline in searches for outdoor activities and a sharp increase in indoor activities is evident.
People are preferring to stay home, practice yoga through video tutorials, and get groceries delivered at doorsteps.
A pandemic of this sort was seen almost a hundred years ago. According to Google Trends, search for words like donate, coffee, normal, antibody, cooking, instant noodles, meditation, vaccine, delivery, and binge-watching is at an all-time high since 2004.
Efforts have been to meet the demands of essential items with a halt in either production or supply of non-essential items.
According to Glimpse, search for keywords such as Paper towels, Yoga mat, Dumbbells, Yeast for bread, Bulk flour, Unemployment application, Virtual conference, Paintbrushes Face-time games, Isolation gowns, has increased.
According to Glimpse, with lesser people going out for work, entertainment, games, walks, travel, dine-outs, etc., search for keywords such as Backpack, Perfume, Heels, Water bottle, Art Galleries, Coffee-shop, AirBnb, Bowling, Food truck, has declined.
According to Google Trends, people are looking for information about certain things more than ever such as: how can oil prices go negative, online jobs hiring now, IMF great depression, how to keep kids busy during quarantine, coronavirus tips for workplace, thankyou essential workers, etc.
COVID19 has led to the cancellation of events, disrupted supply chains, increased queries of consumers, shortage of some essentials like sanitizers or toilet papers, need for increased medical assistance, and credible information.
Google’s SERP is ramping up its algorithm and showing results that are of utmost importance. Thus your business may have been affected.
Google’s algorithm updates last year emphasize Expertise, Authoritativeness & Trustworthiness (EAT), and Your Money, Your Life (YMYL) queries. What are some of the steps you can take?
- Consider having a dedicated coronavirus page.
- Inform customers of precautions and necessary steps you are taking.
- Inform how or when will your products and services be available.
- Create credible content.
- Make your website responsive.
- Keep a close eye on trends and adapt.
- Refrain from using words that go against current government guidelines.
