Podium will be offering free access to business-critical solutions until the end of November 2021
Podium, the leading communication and payments platform for local businesses, has announced the launch of a COVID-19 relief package to help keep Australian small businesses operating during the ongoing lockdowns across the country.
To help alleviate some of the costs for small businesses, Podium will be offering free access to solutions including Text-to-Pay, Campaigns, Videochat, and Teamchat as part of its COVID-19 relief package. This package is available to all single-location Podium customers, both new and existing, up until 30 November 2021.
“Our community of Australian small businesses are a vital part of the Australian economy and these recent lockdowns have significantly impacted their operations and their ability to continue servicing their customers,” Dave Schiene, Country Manager at Podium, said.
“COVID has altered consumer expectations, however, it has also created new opportunities to win customers online. Our services enable businesses to create or advance online strategies that have proved business-critical in the face of unpredictable lockdowns. We hope this package provides relief and assistance to those impacted in order for them to stay in touch with their customers without having the additional burden of mounting costs, for the next few months.”
Thibault Roumagoux, Executive Manager – Head of Marketing & eCommerce, JAX Tyres & Auto said, “The COVID-19 lockdowns have forced the closure of our showrooms and only allowed our workshops to keep operating for critical repairs. Podium helped us remain ‘available’ and as a way to stay connected with our customers stuck at home, Podium Videochat gave us this opportunity to keep delivering our Peace of Mind Driving promise, with an industry first complimentary Video JAX Vehicle Inspection. By offering additional avenues of communication, we are able to continue engaging with our customers in a convenient and efficient way, which has proved especially valuable for those who urgently require assistance during this tough time.”
The COVID-19 relief package solutions include:
- Text-to-Pay – With Podium Payments, businesses can send payment requests via text message rather than asking them to come in or taking credit card information over the phone.
- Campaigns – Enable businesses to send targeted SMS promotions to up to 100 customers per month with promotional messages that drive repeat business.
- Videochat – Speaking face-to-face with customers and answering questions instantly allows small business owners to continue doing what they’d normally do in person.
- Teamchat – Teamchat is designed to keep teams connected in the same platform where you communicate with customers on a daily basis—so that everyone has the context they need for their next conversation.
Through its SMS-based platform, Podium helps local businesses receive more reviews, collect payments, send SMS campaigns, and centralise their communications – all on the channels their customers prefer. Podium’s centralised platform aggregates communications from channels such as Google, Facebook, and Instagram.
Since March 2020, when the first lockdown began, Australian businesses have sent nearly six million messages and received nearly 200,000 reviews through Podium.
For more information, visit www.podium.com.au/covidrelief
About Podium
Podium is a customer messaging and payments platform that enables companies with a local presence to conveniently connect with their customers at critical touchpoints to help them strengthen their business. By conveniently facilitating millions of customer interactions, such as driving customer-generated online reviews and providing improved customer messaging tools, Podium serves more than 90,000 local businesses in the United States, Canada and Australia. Headquartered in Lehi, Utah, and founded in 2014, Podium is currently backed by YC Continuity, Sapphire Ventures, Alkeon Capital, Recruit Co. Ltd., IVP, Accel, Summit Partners and GV. To learn more, visit www.podium.com.
