The world over, nations are grappling with the effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic. In these most unprecedented of times, drastic measures have been implemented, all in an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus. However, inevitably this crisis will dissipate and gradually we will return to normal. To succeed in the future, facilities in the industry must consider things like health clinic and gym website design and marketing services. In this article, we discuss 4 tips fro gyms and health clinics to thrive in a post Coronavirus landscape.

Increase Your Membership Sales With An Incredible Website

For small businesses like gyms and health clinics to truly succeed in a post Coronavirus landscape, you must distinguish yourself from the competition. Having incredible website design will be essential for gyms and health clinics to increase membership sales once the crisis comes to an end. A survey conducted in 2019 revealed that an astonishing 63% of Canadians admitted they will not buy from a company that has a poorly designed website. That statistic ought to give any business owner pause, especially those who operate in the gym and health clinic industry, which is already a crowded and highly competitive marketplace. Having an exceptionally crafted website, you convey professionalism, build brand trust and credibility, which ultimately increases sales.

In a post Coronavirus landscape, it will be imperative for gyms and health clinics to make maximize their online presence with an outstanding mobile-responsive website.

Social Media Marketing Will Be Key For Gyms And Health Clinics

To drive membership sales and flourish, health clinics and gyms should effective social media management and marketing once the global crisis has blessedly ceased.

Owners and operators of facilities like gyms and health clinics should understand how crucial building your business’ brand is for success when we return to normalcy. Effective social media management and marketing will increase your social media presence, build brand awareness online, engage your target audience, and attract potential new clients, thus enabling your business to thrive in a post Coronavirus landscape.

Effective SEO Strategies Will Be Vital To Thrive In A Post Coronavirus Landscape

When the COVID-19 crisis eventually comes to an end, the gym and health clinic industry will be crowded with competitors. To elevate your business above the myriad of competitors, owners and operators within the industry will need to consider using effective professional SEO services. By using effective and proven SEO strategies, you will drive organic traffic to your website, and maximize your ROI.

Some of the proven and effective SEO tactics that should be using include optimizing your business website for SEO, keyword research, and using and optimizing Google My Business. These are all vital components that will help Toronto gyms and health clinics to grow and thrive.

How The COVID-19 Economic Response Plan Pertains To Gyms And Health Clinics

The COVID-19 global pandemic is a fluid situation, which changes from day to day. In an attempt to curtail the spread of the Coronavirus, the Ontario government declared a state of emergency and mandated the closure of all non-essential workplaces in the province. Of course, businesses that fell within this category were gyms. Therefore, to supplement the inevitable loss of income that many Canadians are experiencing during this unprecedented time, it is important to understand what relief measures have been implemented by the federal government in the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. Amongst the measures providing economic support to Canadians affected by the pandemic is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB):

“The federal government will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to:

• workers who must stop working due to COVID19 and do not have access to paid leave or other income support.
• workers who are sick, quarantined, or taking care of someone who is sick with COVID-19.
• working parents who must stay home without pay to care for children that are sick or need additional care because of school and daycare closures.
• workers who still have their employment but are not being paid because there is currently not sufficient work and their employer has asked them not to come to work.
• wage earners and self-employed individuals, including contract workers, who would not otherwise be eligible for Employment Insurance.”

Additionally, at the beginning of April the federal government announced the details of measures that will support Canadian businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. On April 1, the Department of Finance announced the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): 

“The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak.

To help Canadians and businesses get through these tough economic times, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that the Government is proposing to introduce a wage subsidy of 75 per cent for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020.

This measure, which is a part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, would support businesses that are hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and would help protect the jobs Canadians depend on during these difficult times.

• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy would apply at a rate of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees – representing a benefit of up to $847 per week. The program would be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020.
• Eligible employers who suffer a drop in gross revenues of at least 30 per cent in March, April or May, when compared to the same month in 2019, would be able to access the subsidy.
• Eligible employers would include employers of all sizes and across all sectors of the economy, with the exception of public sector entities.
• For non-profit organizations and registered charities similarly affected by a loss of revenue, the government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the definition of revenue is appropriate to their circumstances. The government is also considering additional support for non-profits and charities, particularly those involved in the front line response to COVID-19. Further details will be announced in the near term.
• An eligible employer’s entitlement to this wage subsidy will be based entirely on the salary or wages actually paid to employees. All employers would be expected to at least make best efforts to top up salaries to 100% of the maximum wages covered.”

Federal finance minister, Bill Morneau, explained the impetus for the introduction of the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS).

“Businesses provide the jobs, the goods and the services that Canadians depend on to keep their communities going, in good times and bad. With the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy, we are helping businesses keep their staff on payroll so that businesses will be better positioned to rebound when the current challenges have passed. We will continue to do whatever it takes to ensure that workers and businesses are supported through the outbreak, and that our economy remains resilient during these difficult times,” Morneau explained in a press release.

Our world is contending with truly unprecedented and challenging times. The breadth of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic has yet to be determined. Yet, this crisis will come to an end, and we will return to normalcy. In the interim, stay safe, stay well, stay connected to family, friends, and neighbours, and remember to be kind. There is light at the end of this tunnel, and we will prevail, together.

Sarah Bauder

Sarah Bauder is a senior content specialist at Little Dragon Media. Sarah has a degree in journalism and has a decade of experience writing content at numerous renowned publications. She enjoys writing about digital marketing, business, entrepreneurship and more.