The pandemic witnessed a harsh time for various industries globally, except for e-commerce. During this period where almost everything became inaccessible due to the situation, companies indulging themselves in online shopping saw a surge in their business. People started turning to online shopping more during this period. That being said, one can understand why the influence of e-commerce and online shopping increased during the pandemic.

Another thing that had a positive impact due to these incidents was dropshipping. Dropshipping essentially is a retail business where stores do not stock their products. Instead, when they receive an order, they directly purchase it from a third party and have it shipped to the consumer. Today, we shall focus on the impact that dropshipping had due to the pandemic, with the insight of Can Mandir, a Hannover-based 20-year-old entrepreneur. Let us begin!

How to get started with dropshipping?

Before discussing the impact, let us clear our image of what dropshipping is and how can one set up a dropshipping business. Like every other business, dropshipping business requires thorough planning, prediction, and an eye on the bigger picture. According to Mandir, patience, willpower, and discipline are the essence for getting started with dropshipping. Here are the things that you would need to focus on:

• Start by choosing a niche in which you would like to start your business
• Do enough research of the market and your competitors
• Locate a trustworthy supplier for your business 
• Develop your online store
• Market and promote your shop
• Finally, keep on studying and analyzing your business for constant improvement 

Mandir also emphasizes the importance of technology such as a proper internet connection and steady access to laptops and mobiles. He advises that a business person should dedicate at least two to four hours to it daily. 

What are the biggest hurdles while running a dropshipping business?  

A good business person will always consider both the positives and negatives while running a business. On a similar note, every business faces challenges that one has to overcome to be successful. The same applies to a dropshipping business. When asked, Can Mandir goes on to describe that perhaps one of the biggest hurdles for a dropshipping business is people’s mindset. People always seem to be skeptical when it comes to online shopping or selling. As a result, there are still a lot of people who prefer visiting stores rather than ordering online. Another major hurdle is that, despite the mindset of people, it is evident that the online sector is developing. 

As a result, there are a lot of products and services already available online. Therefore, people getting started with dropshipping businesses might find it harder to enter the market and present their services or products. At such times, professional consultancy and advice prove to be helpful. 

How has consumer behavior changed over the pandemic period? 

Being a dropshipper, Can Mandir comes into direct contact with the consumers. On that note, he describes how consumer behavior has changed throughout the pandemic. According to him, there is a high demand for online shopping as more and more people are turning to it at present. 

Due to the scenario, work-from-homes have increased, and people are reluctant to come out of their house. As such, people are using their smart devices even more. With that, they are being more exposed to online advertisements, expanding the scope for e-commerce. 

How to comply with the various rules and regulations being implied due to the COVID-19 measures? 

As the pandemic still poses a great threat, several regions are inflicting various measures against it. However, there are not many such regulations on the terms and policies for shipping. Asia, for instance, ships its packages within a period of two to three days. China too is rapidly recovering from the crisis. On that note, even in this COVID-19 crisis, Can Mandir notes, that people in the e-commerce business have noted great opportunities. This will help the industry grow and expand further in the coming years. 

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