Examples of Online Services by “Local” Businesses during COVID19 Crisis

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Examples of Online Services by “Local” Businesses during COVID19 Crisis

Ian Bowland • 23 April 2020

Photo by Luke Peters on Unsplash

Examples of Online Services by “Local” Businesses

As you might guess, you do it by offering an online version of your services. Customers / clients / patients may need to keep their distance, but many still want or need now what you offer. Only a video, phone, or other online option meets these needs.

The problem now is you’re not sure where to begin, because you don’t have examples or blueprints of online-only services that you can adapt to your situation.

A remote option isn't an option for every business. Some businesses can only do their work in-person (Removals, roofers, dentist - although removals and roofers could do online quotes), but if my experience before and during COVID-19 is any indication, a 75% of businesses can roll out an online-only service of value to local or non-local customers.

Below are examples of non-ecommerce, mostly “local” businesses that offer an online service. The online or remote service they offer is an option both for people nearby and for non-locals. As you go through the list, think of what might just work for you.

Example 1: Online Fitness Training Ben @ https://thestrengthfactory.uk/ COVID 19 related training delivered through https://marketplace.trainheroic.com/team/fitness-lock-down

Good Idea: Simple straightforward copy saying choice on lockdown binge on Netflix or get yourself fit with no gym membership and no kit required

Example 2: Online therapy e-therapy.uk

Good idea: the online offering is unavoidable, because it’s on every page. It’s not limited to one page that you hope people see.

Example 3: Online Osteopath Consultation by Gavin Routledge active-x.co.uk

Good idea: There are Free webinars but there is also an option of Online Consulatation. It's also clear how these work and it’s clearly geared toward patients locked down by COVID-19 restrictions.

Example 4: US example - Online plumbing consultation by Lutz Plumbing lutzplumbing.com/about/virtual-plumbing-consultation

Good idea: An extremely clear value proposition: it’s mainly for do-it-yourselfers who want a second opinion on a project.

Example 5: Online dog training by Adventure Paws Training adventurepawstraining.co.uk/virtual-training/

Good idea: Free Phone Consultation and a list of different types of dog training that are available.

Example 6: Online divorce/family mediation by Start Mediation: https://www.startmediation.co.uk/online-mediation/

Good idea: Simple solid copywriting.

Example 7: Online tutoring by Dulwich Tutors: https://dulwichtutors.com/

Good idea: Great, simple COVID related copy - even waiving the Registration Fee

Example 8: Another US example - Online mould remediation by Moldman in Chicago: moldmanusa.com/virtual-mold-consultations/

Good idea: The business makes it clear that there may be a DIY solution to a mould problem. It may save the client a lot of money, and more than offset the small cost of the consultation.

I hope those examples gave you some ideas for the online version of your service, whether you’re trying to ramp it up or roll it out for the first time. Getting a blueprint is the hard part, and probably the most important part, but here are 5 principles I suggest you keep in mind when figuring out your online service:

1. It must solve or help with a problem people have now.

2. It must help in self-contained way, and not just serve as initial consultation or a free quote.

3. It won’t necessarily provide all the things you can do in-person, and that’s probably OK.

4. It should be available and helpful to non-local people, too.

5. It should probably be a service you’ll still want to keep around as a permanent component of your business.

What do you like about those examples? Anything you’d improve about them, if you could?

Do you know of any examples of a “local” business with a clever or well-presented online offering? Are you trying to figure out a work-from-home version of your service?

Leave a comment!

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