The answer is yes, and now more than ever! COVID-19 has hit the market hard and with the recent spikes in cases, sadly there is no real end in sight. However, in an interview with Beverage Dynamics Sam Calagione from Dogfish Head brewery said;
“Craft brewers are resilient and determined individuals that are continually adapting to the changing industry and marketplace. That resilience and determination, as well as their ability to be creative, will be the keys for any business — not just craft breweries — to survive this uncertain time.”
Many brewers are being creative, and have done a great job launching web stores at record speeds. By offering curbside pickup and delivery, which is now legal in all of Canada, many brewers have been able to create a lucrative new sales channel. However, launching a site is only the first step on the road to success. Brewers who recently moved online need a strong strategy to identify their local target markets and optimize their site to increase their Google visibility. While there is some truth to the ‘build it and they will come model’, those who are successful have been taking extra steps in order to be sure their product stands out online. We will take a look at some of these tactics below.