Reopening Checklist: How to Get Ready for “Normal”

With rolling business closures still in effect around the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over. But at the same time, a majority of business locations in the U.S. have been given the green light to reopen in some capacity — and industries that saw major disruption during the pandemic, from gyms to restaurants to retailers, are starting to think about how they can come back in a big way.

A "return to normal" is talked about every day, but unfortunately there isn't a magic date on the calendar we can look forward to. In some parts of the world, a full return might come quickly, while in other places it will be gradual. But the end does appear to be near, so businesses need to start preparing today — or else they might find themselves falling behind the competition.

In an effort to help businesses that have been impacted by COVID get back quickly, we've put together a checklist to keep your customers informed, bring them back to your locations when the time is right — and drive more revenue so that you can emerge from the pandemic stronger than ever.

For all verticals:

• Indicate which locations are open With so many storefronts closing (either temporarily or for good), people are checking online before hitting the street.
• Update [store/gym/restaurant] hours across platforms (website, GMB, Yelp, etc.) Open and close times have varied sometimes day-to-day, so be sure the information is updated in real-time wherever people might search.
• Communicate COVID safety protocols Vaccines are happening, but different people have different expectations. Be sure you communicate the do's and don't's of entering your business.
• Start hiring Hiring great people can take weeks, sometimes months. Even if you aren't ready to reopen today, make sure you have a team ready to go when it happens.

For gyms & fitness centers:

• Indicate contactless check-in options on Google
• Share revised class schedules
• Inform customers of specific COVID-related updates (e.g. masks are required while working out; new gym cleaning procedures)

For restaurants:

• Share revised delivery/takeout hours
• Indicate contactless options on Google
• Update dine-in options across all locations (including indoor and outdoor seating, etc.)

For retailers:

• Update in-store shopping/curbside pickup options
• Share cleanliness and in-store sanitary standards
• Re-stock most popularly searched items based on store locations

The last year has been met with a lot of uncertainty, and while there's still some volatility today, businesses have a big opportunity in front of them. But reopening successfully isn't about just flipping the closed sign to open — businesses need to put in the work, including ensuring their digital tools, like search, are doing some of the heavy lifting. Not only will it ensure a smoother transition, but importantly it will deliver peace-of-mind to customers. And that means more trust and more business.

Learn more about how to capture and convert traffic post-COVID in our upcoming webinar.