Whenever a new technology comes in, it takes a while before people fully understand its potential. When electricity was invented, people first opposed it, then they used it for trivial purposes, and then, when the grid was fully developed, they utilized it fully. When the internet was invented, the limitations in speed and people’s creativity with it was blocking everyone from realising the change it will bring. We are now in a time when we are beginning to fully appreciate and use it for what it’s worth. Today we have a phenomenon of new businesses popping up that could not exist before the digital era, but also old school businesses being reimagined with the use of new technologies (think of Uber, Airbnb and so on). Trade and retail has been reinvented in the last 20 years, and you have probably seen it and even used the services of one of these companies. They are not only doing business, they are thriving (think of Amazon, Alibaba and so on). If you’ve already seen these big players do it, and you’ve probably ordered at least a book online in your life, what’s stopping you from taking your business from physical to digital? Why aren’t you part of the game yet? Your potential customers will increase

• Anyone that has a smartphone is your potential customer. Even if your customers are a very specific group, you’re a wholesaler for example, you will find them more easily online, and they will find you. There are hundreds of ways to reach out and each of them is easier than calling them one by one.

Your cost will go down

• Instead of walking around from customer to customer, or shop to shop, you post all of your stock online and wait for them to come to you. It’s not lazy, it’s smart. And, instead of filling your van with dozens of products hoping to come back half-empty, you just deliver the items your customers order. Your efficiency goes up, and your cost goes down.

You will know more about your business than ever before

• Digital marketplace does not forget. Your every transaction, order and item are recorded and they provide valuable data. What is your best selling item past 6 months? What is your most valuable customer? How many items are about to expire within a week? Which is the busiest day for you and how to make it even more profitable? Some of these questions you might already know the answer to, but a digital system can provide more insight, and answer hundreds more.

Trend of going digital was already there, but the crisis that happened definitely sped up the process. If you haven’t done the transition, now is the right time to make that step. There is nothing to lose. There is a whole lot to gain.