Oct 11, 2023

E-Commerce and SEO: Pre and Post COVID-19

E-Commerce and SEO: Pre and Post COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way that a lot of businesses relied on online sales. Businesses without an online presence really suffered during state-mandated shutdowns, as they were unable to make money from customers at their location. This changed how companies prioritized and utilized SEO, with some new changes and focuses for companies that will last until after the pandemic. In this article, we discuss the importance of e-commerce and SEO before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

More Important Than Ever

Both e-commerce and SEO were pretty important concepts for the majority of businesses in the United States before COVID-19. Business owners recognized how selling their products and services online could expand the available streams of income and their reach. During the pandemic, e-commerce and SEO took on newfound significance. It wasn’t something that business owners could put off any longer. The more businesses that opened e-commerce versions of their stores, the more competition there was online. This only increased the need for businesses to work with SEO agencies to help make their sites more competitive. 

E-Commerce is a Lifeline

During the pandemic, e-commerce became a lifeline for companies that would otherwise not be able to function or survive the pandemic. Companies that already had e-commerce sites set up relied more heavily on the sites for sales. Others created e-commerce sites for the first time and invested the time and resources required to start selling online. In some cases, companies that would not have otherwise taken the time to create an e-commerce site suddenly found themselves interested in e-commerce. 

Trends Will Not Go Back Toward Brick and Mortar

It is a myth that everything will go back to “normal” when the COVID-19 pandemic is over. The shift to e-commerce and the high dependence on SEO will only increase. Shopping malls and physical locations of companies closed permanently, businesses, including large corporate chains, declared bankruptcy, and business owners took on regular jobs. There isn’t necessarily a brick and mortar store to go back to.

Plus, customers now accept online shopping in a way that’s mainstream now. They order groceries online, buy clothing, and anything else they can possibly imagine. With the added convenience and behavior shifts, the influence of brick and mortar might have permanently shifted toward online.

SEO Provides Live Insight

One of the benefits of SEO during the pandemic is its ability to provide live insights into what’s working and what’s not. This is even more vital during the COVID-19 pandemic so resources are not wasted on strategies and campaigns that aren’t working. These can be discontinued. For business owners considering closing, SEO insights can give them an idea of market viability and demand for their products. Are people searching for this product? What competitors get better search results? Is the site getting traffic? All of these questions and answers can give insight on possible next steps. 

SEO Across Platforms

The pandemic highlighted that SEO is critical across all platforms, including YouTube and other social media channels. The increased competition means that one channel isn’t enough. Furthermore, users search for products and reviews everywhere so it’s key to use SEO best practices across all platforms your business is on.

It is incredibly challenging to operate and market a profitable business during the COVID-19 pandemic, unless your business is in certain industries. However, whatever you do to build your business now online will still be beneficial after the pandemic is officially over. KitelyTech can help you build an e-commerce site and make sure it utilizes all SEO best practices available. Contact us at (800) 274 2908 to learn more about how we can help.