As the global economy struggles to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are seeing consumers behave in new ways. This is the rise of DIY / Stay-at-Home trends, as people everywhere are searching for more things they can do at home. Is your business adapting to these new trends?

While companies, schools, and other institutions debate the safety of re-opening, online search data reveals that more people than ever are interested in ways to optimize how to Work-from-Home and Learn-from-Home in addition to enjoying their Stay-at-Home lives.

Savvy businesses are learning to pay attention to these new consumer desires by not only creating new products and services but also changing their marketing strategies to meet customers where they’re at. Is your business making the best possible changes in this Brave New Post-COVID World to optimize your profitability?

Here are some of the significant trends we’ve compiled here at JXT Group:

1. The Rise of Home Entertainment

Google observes that people are searching for inspiration for things to do while staying home – searches for “to do at home” are up 600% and “what to watch” is up over 1000%.

Interestingly, the most popular search queries show that people are not necessarily seeking something specific, but are open to suggestions to trying something new. Can your business offer something they might enjoy?

Here are the most popular search queries:

1. things to do at home
2. fun things to do at home
3. exercises to do at home
4. workouts to do at home
5. what to do at home
6. crafts to do at home
7. things to do at home when bored
8. activities to do at home
9. things to do at home with kids
10. hobbies to do at home

As you consider how to position your products or services, consider the creative ways people might use what you sell. For example, bedroom linens are no longer just for a good night’s sleep – they can also be used to create fun elaborate forts in the living room or to construct a make-shift outdoor movie screen.

In addition, what can your business do to help simplify people’s stay-at-home lives during these stressful times? Interestingly, search interest in the term “easy” has grown by 60% over last year. It seems people are seeking DIY solutions more than ever, whether from necessity or from a desire to engage in doing something new at home.

Can your brand offer live virtual or pre-recorded video assistance to help customers complete a DIY project? For example, a restaurant or food company could post recipes with video tutorials or a salon could sell products with an accompanying virtual consultation.

2. Homes Are Being Transformed into “Staycation” Havens

Though we’re now just several months into the COVID-19 crisis here in the U.S., recent consumer activity suggests that the Stay-at-Home trend is here to stay, at least for a while.

As Mark Tepper, CEO/President of Strategic Wealth Partners, told CNBC:

“I think we’re entering the staycation era – Consumers around the country are pulling forward years of vacation expenses and they’re turning their homes into their own little private resorts, from landscaping to patios to pools.”

Stocks are soaring for companies such as Wayfair, Peloton, Bed Bath & Beyond, Lowe’s, and Home Depot. Small businesses like pool installation companies have waiting lists extending already into next year.

Can your business help people to transform their living spaces into a “go-to spot” where they’ll want to spend their free time, even once the pandemic has passed?

3. The Importance of Integrating New Digital Marketing Strategies

With everyone staying at home, online activity overall has certainly increased – but interestingly there have been shifts in how people are spending their time online. Has your business shifted your marketing and promotion strategies to reflect new trends?

For example, the New York Times has reported a shift away from mobile to more desktop use ever since countries started implementing stay-at-home mandates. Is your marketing content consistent with the trend?

As digital devices have become the primary means for work, play, and connecting with others, how is your messaging showing up to meet people where they’re at?

If you’re interested in exploring more ways that your business can adapt and respond to the new DIY / Stay-at-Home trends during the coronavirus pandemic, reach out to our team here at JXT Group – we’ll be happy to help with changes you could make to improve your online business strategy in 2020.