Has the Pandemic Made us More Tech Savvy?

Social behaviours have changed significantly since the first time we heard that Corona was something much more sinister than a Mexican beer. Way back in a different time that was only few months ago, we thought all meetings were up front, personal and judged on that one firm grip handshake. Now, we chat on Zoom, ‘click and collect’ our chips and cut our own hair while nursing our sourdough starters. It has been a learning curve for many. Fast food has long been the main reason for online/mobile phone buying, but this year has welcomed a whole new cohort to the world of shopping online.

Online farming, from sileage to hoggets’ and maybe even more!

Online shopping has seen a complete upsurge in new users and in retail outlets moving online to adapt to lockdowns, partial lockdowns and closures. Those most as risk from the Covid-19 virus have changed their buying habit and learned to shop and manage their banks online. At Dmac Media, we identified one sector in particular, who have embraced business online more than any other. The Irish farmer has led the way in online digital searches for farm supplies, with an 88% increase in traffic over the same period in 2019. 

The move to online marts and bidding for livestock from the comfort of the farmstead, was one of the biggest leaps of technology that faced this sector.  It was also one which they absolutely embraced. Necessity is not just the mother of invention but the mother and father of learning new skills that your livelihood depends on. So, farmers quickly learned to download apps, view cattle online and make their bids virtually. Now, it is not unusual to see a farmer attending a live mart and simultaneously bidding on an auction in a neighbouring County on his mobile phone. There are rooky mistakes too. Think of the poor Sligo farmer who left his tablet unattended to go to the bathroom and returned to find that his toddler daughter had just won the bidding on a fine pair of heifers. A deal, which we understand, had to be honoured, even after a plea to the Mart organisers. Click and collect in the livestock world, as in all online shopping, needs to be approached with caution. 

Farmers have been moving online for some time. Living rurally means that choice of product nearby may be few and far between, where a burgeoning Agri sales sector offer great prices and a wider variety of stock online and at the click of a mouse away.  Dave McEvoy, Co. Director says,

‘We noted that Farmers have been early adopters to online shopping, and we wanted to investigate this further.”   “Even before the recent Pandemic many farmers had moved online when it came to farm supplies, citing better value and choice.  This trend appears to have been accelerated in the recent past. Our research affirms that those involved in the Agri-retail sector can expect more online business. These findings demonstrate the importance of a responsive sales websites as most purchases are made on a mobile phones and Irish Farmers are extremely comfortable making purchasing decisions online.”   

The report identified that young and middle -aged farmers are very comfortable searching and purchasing online and not just as a result of the pandemic closures. 

Digital Pharmacies

The Covid-19 pandemic saw a leap in business practises for many pharmacies as they moved from a ‘face-to-face business’ business model to a mix of online prescriptions and sales to booking vaccine appointments.    Pharmacies have embraced digital communication, probably because their customers have and as a direct result of dealing with the more vulnerable members of society where social distancing and isolation has forced new ways of thinking. Live chats now allow them to give advice and support to those who are further afield or unable to travel. In a few short years we will think nothing of joining a video call to seek advice from the experts on everything from Smoking cessation and nail biting to that weird rash.  Pharmacies will see consultation rooms equipped with camera and screen as the new normal. 

At Dmac Media we strive tirelessly to bring ecommerce websites with an ese of style and functionality to our existing clients and to the many businesses seeking to improve their online presence. There is no doubt that 2020 was a catalyst for the technophobes among us. In a world where even, two-year olds can buy cattle online, there really is no choice but to embrace the new digital normal.