Here are our top business tips for the coming months:

1. Stay Positive.  Our number one tip.  While this has likely been a huge challenge the past few months, it's likely the most important item moving forward.  When your customers are coming out of isolation, your team should exude confidence and positivity.  Things may not be business as usual for some time after, but if you do your best to meet customers' needs with a calm attitude and a smile, they will be more inclined to rely on you time and time again.

2. Communicate with your clients and prospects.  Let them know when you’re back to full capacity. Be sure to post clear and concise messaging in the different places people can find you. That includes sharing this messaging with audiences on all platforms, such as your Website, Google My Business page, Facebook and more.

3. Focus on Safety.  Homeowners want to know about the precautions you are taking for their safety and your staff’s safety as well.  It will be a long time before things are completely back to normal, especially when it comes to customers being concerned about their health and wellbeing. Give them the proper reassurances that you are expanding your approach to safety.

4. Maintain your Marketing.  Historically, businesses that "stay the course" during down times tend to outperform businesses that make sweeping cuts during recessions.  A Harvard Business Review study of 4,700 companies confirmed this theory.  If you haven’t ramped your marketing back up yet, it is time to do so. You may have to trade in short-term profits for long-term gains.

5. Focus on Reviews.  People will be looking you up online more now than ever before.  You cannot ignore your review strategy, as those are the first things new customers will see online.  Note that some Google reviews may be delayed right now, but you should still push to get them.  They'll get published as Google My Business returns to normal.

Eventually, this chaotic time will fully fade back into normalcy.  Once the economy starts to bounce back, you don't want to be scrambling to reach whatever milestones you can for 2020.  By making the right decisions now, you won't require the same ramp-up period as some of your competitors.

Alain Parcan, Director of Marketing for Market Hardware, Inc., contributed this article. Alain brings nearly 10 years of experience in educating businesses so they can market themselves more effectively. Market Hardware helps small businesses compete on the web and offers special discounts for PCOC members. You can reach Alain’s team at 888-381-6925.