Why Are Online Services Being Used More in The Pandemic?
The Covid-19 pandemic has forced a large part of the world’s population to rethink their lives and move online many of their activities. Some were forced to do so, but many companies sensed where things were going and took steps to increase their online activity on their own.
People Want to Be Safe
When millions of people found themselves under lockdown or curfews, they did not have much of a choice but to use online services to buy goods, manage their finances or even communicate with others when in-person meetings were not an option. However, it’s not just about being forced to stay inside that drove people to online services. For many, the fear of the new coronavirus is so great they prefer to keep social interactions at a minimum without being told to do so. Why risk getting infected when you can order most basic goods over the Internet?
Online Services Are Quicker
That was apparent even before the pandemic struck. If you want to save time, it’s best to simply order a pizza or pay your bills online rather than going out and being stuck in traffic or waiting in line. It’s way more efficient and people have learned to value their time.
Take for instance the apparition of online agencies that specialize in performing background checks. During the pandemic, even things like online criminal screening checks became more popular because applicants no longer need to make physical contact to obtain one. Before that, it was a complete nightmare for the HR managers and job seekers alike to go down to the police station, spend hours waiting in line and filling in endless papers, only to be told you’ll have to come back in a week or two to get your records.
Online Services Offer You More Choice
This applies to everything; from the smallest purchase you need to make to hiring someone living in another city. If you do it online, distance doesn’t matter anymore so you can broaden your horizons, so to speak.
Say that you need bread, you’ll probably buy it from the bakery down the street because it’s more convenient. Using online services, you can just as well order specialty bread from a gourmet bakery across town. You wouldn’t go all the way there to buy it, but if it’s delivered to your door, why not?
The same goes for business who for centuries have been forced to make do with local talents. Using online services, they can now hire someone better qualified living in another part of the country just as easily as hiring the first guy that walks through their door. Companies can set up job interviews on Zoom, Google Meet or Skype, have documents sent over via email, do an online background check and hire a person to work from home.
Many think that things will go back to normal once the pandemic is over and we’re all hoping this will be the case, but the rise of online services and telework is here to stay. It’s easier, more efficient and saves a lot of time and money.
