Small businesses that pivoted to online weathered pandemic best, survey finds
It’s no secret that small businesses bore the brunt of COVID-19 restrictions, but many managed to weather the pandemic – and a new survey reveals the secret to their success.
Web services company GoDaddy surveyed small businesses in Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
The findings show two-thirds increased their online presence during the pandemic, and 40 per cent credit that move with recent revenue growth.
“It did open the door to a new way of doing business that I think they can continue to use as we come out of the pandemic, maintaining these new ways of doing business,” said GoDaddy Canada vice-president Anna De Aragon.
That has certainly been the case for La Grotta Del Formaggio, a 43-year-old Commercial Drive deli that did not have much of a web presence prior to the pandemic but pivoted to digital to stay afloat.
“It was something we wanted to do for a long time so in a way this kind of gave us that push to get online,” said owner Sandra Raines, whose father founded the businesses with her grandfather in the late ‘70s.
“We quickly set up an online store, created a website. Then we found platforms like Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes."
Even with pandemic restrictions no longer a concern, the move continues to pay off.
The deli is currently closed for a major renovation, but the business keeps humming along as staff work out of the warehouse fulfilling web orders for customers.
"I see it continuing and I think we're growing and bringing in new things to the deli and I'm excited about the future,” said Raines.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Listowel, Ont. football player drafted, despite only three years of experience
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.