Managing During New Times

The novel strain of coronavirus that first appeared in 2019 is changing the face of small business and entrepreneurship across the world. 

We’re dealing with new times, and that presents many challenges that we haven’t seen before. But together, we can tackle them and come out on top. 

As the Covid-19 pandemic continues, many registries, like Verisign who manages the .com and .net domain extensions, are offering waived or reduced rates on domain redemption fees. In fact, Verisign is offering to waive redemption fees through August 1, 2020. If your domain has expired during this time and you’re experiencing financial hardship, please reach out to our teams at (800) 403-3568 or use the live chat option on our website so we can determine if your domain is eligible. 

The following resources are here to help you navigate these difficult times. We’ve compiled this list to help you with:

• How to navigate working from home.
  • How to maintain personal productivity. 
  • How to work with a remote team.
  • Cloud-based tools that can help you.
  • Online safety tips.
• How to take your business online. 
  • How to create a website.
  • What kind of hosting your site needs.
  • What makes for a secure website.
  • How to leverage social media to stay connected.
  • How to start a blog and email list.
• Small business and nonprofit advice from our sister companies. 
• Resources for funding and loans to help you through these difficult times.
  • Please note, these are 3rd party resources provided by government agencies and associations.

Small Business and Entrepreneur COVID-19 Resources

Resources for Working from Home

Many of us are getting used to a new normal of working from home, and oftentimes, that means having to share space with family and roommates. These unplanned adjustments can make productivity and getting work done difficult, which is why we’ve put together this collection of resources for you. 

• Top Productivity Tools to Get More Done When Working Remotely
  • See how these helpful tools can get your team to focus on the same goal and work much more collaboratively.
• Help Your Remote Team Work Better Together Using a Marketing Calendar 
  • You’d be amazed at how much having a central calendar can get your team to prioritize tasks and keep projects on track. 
• 10 Productivity Tips to Get Yourself Organized
  • These smart tips are great for the work-from-homer who needs to get things accomplished.

Resources for Taking Your Business Online

Going from a brick-and-mortar business to an online business can be daunting, especially if you weren’t anticipating having to do it so quickly. Here’s a roundup of articles that we think can help. Below, you’ll find posts to assist you in creating a website and keeping it secure, teach you how to optimize your social media profiles, and more. 

• How to Create a Website.
  • This post helps new website owners ask the right questions so that their sites meet their needs and goals.  
• Should I DIY My Website or Outsource? 
  • Do you have a lot going on and aren’t sure if you have time for creating a website? While it’s easier than ever before, we understand that you have a lot on your plate. Use this post to help you determine the best way to create a site. 
• Website Builders vs. Website Hosts.
  • Learn what website hosting is and what the best option is for your new site. How does hosting differ from a site builder? Find out here.  
• How to Keep Your Website Secure
  • How SiteLock Security Protects and Guards Your Website
    • What can you do to reassure your website visitors and prospective customers that your site is a safe place to transact? 
  • SSL: How Does it Keep Your Website Secure?
    • SSL is a technology that keeps your website visitors’ personal information private (and away from hackers) when they submit it on your website. Use it to inspire confidence in your website while keeping things protected.
• 6 Reasons Your Business Needs Social Media and How to Get Started.
  • Social media helps businesses thrive in a digital-first world. These tips help newcomers get started. 
• Guide to 2020 Social Media Image Sizes.
  • Help prospective customers take your business seriously with good-looking social assets. 
• How to Build An Email List to Grow Your Online Sales.
  • Meet your customers where they are every single day — their inbox. Use email to stay top-of-mind and bring people back to your site.
• Why Your Email Address Should Match Your Domain Name.
  • If your customers and clients can’t physically see you to size you up, they’re going to make their assumptions and decisions based on the things they do see — like your email address.

Resources for Small Businesses and Nonprofits

These articles originally appeared on the Bluehost and Constant Contact blogs. 

• Ways to Build an Online Community as a Small Business
  • Online communities have the ability to bring people and businesses together, from anywhere in the world. 
• Tools and Resources to Help Build an Online Community
  • In the wake of the current crisis, community is more important than ever. Here are some online tools, platforms, and other resources you can use to stay connected. 
• 20 Remote Work Resources
  • This list of tools and sites can take the stress out of working from home. 
• Marketing Tips for Restaurants Coping with the COVID-19 Crisis
  • Restaurants looking to stay afloat and who need help with marketing should take a look at this post, written by one of our coworkers who’s helping her family’s restaurant during this crisis with these very tips. 
• Crisis Communication Tips for Nonprofits Dealing with COVID-19
  • Communicating messages and needs isn’t new for nonprofits, but those appeals and updates may need to be communicated differently in light of current events. 
• How to Communicate Sensitively During a Crisis
  • What should you say to customers during a time of crisis? Use these tips to craft messaging that connects, but doesn’t make light of the situation.
• How to Stay Productive (and Sane) While Working from Home
  • Juggling a business, a family, and more from home? So are we. Here are our best, tried-and-true tips. 
• Keep Your Small Business Going During a Crisis
  • We’re all doing our best considering what’s happening in the world right now, and small business owners are some of the most resilient people we know. 
• Here’s How to Support Small Businesses During a Crisis
  • You might not be a small business owner, but chances are you rely on one. Here’s what you can do to keep them going while physical locations are closed. 
• How Coronavirus (COVID-19) is Impacting Small Businesses and What You Can Do About It 
  • Here’s what we know about how coronavirus is impacting small businesses, how you can minimize losses, and some steps you can take to protect your business.

Government and Financial Resources for Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs in the U.S.

Governments have been working at the local, state, and federal levels to help businesses survive the Covid-19 pandemic. Below, you’ll find information on some of these programs and loans that can help your business stay afloat.

News and information is changing fast, so if you have any questions about the links provided in this section, please direct them to the appropriate website. Domain.com is not responsible for the following programs and resources, but we hope you find them useful. 

• Kabbage Paycheck Protection Program
  • We’ve partnered with Kabbage to help you access critical funds through SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program. Apply online for the relief funds your business needs.
• U.S. Small Business Administration
  • Are you a small business owner who’s facing unprecedented hard times due to Covid-19? If you’re seeking small business guidance or loans, here’s where to start. 
• Federal Reserve System
  • On March 23, 2020 the Federal Reserve announced that they’d be doing their part to support “households, businesses, and the U.S. economy overall in this challenging time.” Keep an eye on their website for updates on programs such as their “Main Street Business Lending Program.” 
• IRS, Internal Revenue Service
  • As of March 21, 2020, the IRS announced, “that the federal income tax filing due date is automatically extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.”  Additionally, the due date for federal income tax payments has been deferred to July 15, 2020. 
  • They are also offering Economic Impact Payments for eligible people. Find out more on their website. 
• Additional Local and Nonprofit Resources
  • This article by Forbes compiles resources your small business or nonprofit organization can leverage at the local level. 

What questions do you have?

Together, we’ll get through these unprecedented events.

Do you have any questions about starting an online business or website? Are you looking for specific work from home tips and tricks? Or do you have any to share?

Let us know by emailing us at socialmedia(at)domain(dot)com or commenting below so we can help.