Do you remember where you were last month when big social media networks went down for half a day?
Were you trying to check out new photos of your grandchildren on Facebook? Were you scrolling Instagram, looking for inspiration for your next outfit? Or maybe planning some time on the green with your golf buddies on WhatsApp?
It was a minor inconvenience for most people. But for businesses that rely on social media networks (for leads, networking, and most importantly, sales)?
It was a 7-hour nightmare!
Facebook claims a basic ‘configuration change’ on their networks was to blame for the outage. A simple enough issue – but online businesses around the globe suffered.
When CNBC spoke to small business owners after the outage, reports of losses from a few hundred dollars to upwards of $5,000 started flowing in.
And all this after a 6-hour outage from a ‘minor change’!
As a result, businesses are rethinking how they do business online, diversifying how they do business in this online world.
If you manage or own a business, here are a few tips that could make all the difference in the next outage:
Focus on building your website. Your customers need a reliable way to schedule appointments, place orders, view events, and familiarize themselves with your product or service.
Make it easy to use for all age groups, and making your website mobile friendly is a must.
Consider setting up a Google Business profile. This is a popular option if you depend on local clientele. Facebook and Instagram ads can target potential customers in your area – while a simple Google search will suggest restaurants in that local area offering that cuisine.
Business profiles make this easier and allow easy access to reviews, photos, and lists hours of operation!
These two simple tips will help you maintain a backup plan if things go south on social media.
Finances are another smart area to have a backup plan.
Give our office a call today at 513-563-PLAN (7526) or reach out online, and we will spend 15 minutes helping you set up your safety net. The last thing you want in life is an outage on your wallet!
