Dropshipping Coronavirus: A difficult or advantageous relationship?

Drop shipping may sound like a practice that would be untouched by the coronavirus; unfortunately, drop shipping doesn’t mean dropping off packages at customers’ doorsteps via drones flying high in the sky – which would allow for social distancing among other safety precautions. Dropshipping and Coronavirus: how are they related?

If you happen to follow any social media accounts related to online shopping, you’ve most likely stumbled across the term “drop shipping” – which alternatively is spelt without the space, “dropshipping.” 

Regardless of how you choose to spell it, it’s picked up some hefty search traffic since March 11, when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Online stores and businesses that have relied on doing so across the United States and around the world are feeling anxious as the steps to successfully carrying out the method are affected with the most basic element running low: products and goods.

Five steps we were able to take to combat Covid-19 in edropshipping

1. Find a winner

If you are starting a dropshipping business, find a product that your customers deem necessary. So, get out there and get searching. What’s trending?

2. Advertise and clean up your website

Make sure to highlight a new product you’re selling and make it look visually appealing on your website to get customers excited about it. If you need help with the ads you’re running, try eCommerce Ads by Clever Ads.

3. Direct traffic

You should find your online niche and find a way to get those users coming to your website and making purchases.

4. Stay organized

Keep track of orders in a neat and orderly fashion, whether that’s a clean, colorful spreadsheet or a marked-up handwritten notepad. Getting behind on orders is no fun and is something you don’t want to mess with.

5. Be honest

If a problem arises with an order or product, your customer needs to be the first to know. If not, you are doing something wrong.

China is the origin of many products distributed via dropshipping, so it is crucial that all online stores take into account not only the restrictions put in place in their geographical area but also the constantly changing laws and regulations where the products are coming from. If you are continuing your dropshipping practices or are just starting out online and digitalizing your brand, keep in mind that your products may not be exempt from highly restrictive laws prohibiting the movement of goods, exports, or imports that could take effect with little to no notice.

Restrictions and Protocol

These restrictive laws and protocols affected, for example, different dropshipping businesses by the coronavirus, especially those that had customers located in different countries on platforms such as Shopify or AliDropship.

But there is good news, if there are no restrictions between China and the country where your goods will be delivered, you have the green light to keep selling. Just make sure to double check your logistic setup, and you should be good to go.

Transparency

At an international level, consumers have been advised to avoid any online activity that seems suspicious. Avoid scams to protect both your business and your customers. According to the Federal Trade Commission in the United States, do your online research on a company before investing more time and money into any further collaborations with third party suppliers. You should update your website, social media, or any other online presence that you may have to be as transparent as you possibly can. 

Trustworthiness and transparency are key traits your business should portray in order to increase sales and keep customers happy. Cyber security is a rising concern as the world faces an uncertain and financially daunting time. With any concerns you may have regarding phishing or other internet-related concerns, refer to the WHO’s official guidelines. 

Final Thoughts

It might seem redundant, but it should be noted that there is a great deal of responsibility on your business’s behalf in order to protect potential customers, delivery workers distributing your products, and yourself at this time. Please, always rely on trustworthy sources of information such as the WHO and your region’s governing body to make the most informed decisions not only for you, but most importantly, your customers who are behind mobile and desktop screens around the globe. 

Extra tip: have you had a chance to explore the PMAX campaigns initiated by Google and Microsoft? They’re certainly not to be overlooked!