Introduction:
Online business has brought revolution in commerce as customers could any time access whatever they needed in an effective manner. Afghans living in Canada could learn new skills and innovations.
This written piece is all about online business in Canada, it brings about information and guidance regarding online business. Information regarding online business such as Amazon, Dropshipping, Crypto and other new markets would be provided.
Online business in Canada:
Canada’s digital economy is moving upward consistently and the main reason behind this improvement is change in the consumer behavior and technological advancement. Lately as a result of Covid-19 pandemic the online business had improved, and e-commerce had improved unprecedentedly in Canada. This situation had provided great opportunities for Afghans living in Canada who wanted to begin online business and promote it.
Opportunities in Amazon:
Amazon is a unique online business platform which has worldwide consumers and offered widespread quality service.
Amazon FBA programme: Through this programme consumers are allowed to store their products in the Amazon warehouses. Amazon offered the commodities storage, packing and transportation and reversal service and through these businesspersons are able to monitor things effectively and speedy.
Amazon Market: In this market salespersons have access to consumers, Afghan businesspersons could also use this opportunities for promoting their cultural items such as clothes, handicrafts, food and other items.
Initiating online business in Canada:
Following steps are needed to initiate an online business in Canada
Decision about the structure of business: The type of business could be limited, company or corporation. The decision is linked with your personal circumstances while some other issues such the number of shareholders, financial responsibilities and others should kept in consideration.
Business registration: After the you picked the name then you need to register your business with the relevant government authority.
Business number: If your business is registered or you need GST/HST numbers then you need to get your Business Number from the CRA office.
Registration for tax payment: You need to perform registration for different types of taxes such as HST, GST PST and QST.
Getting required licenses: You may need to get different type of licenses for your business activities, detail information in this regard are available in Bizpal website
Dropshipping:
Dropshipping is another attractive online marketing model. In this model the traders don’t store commodities in the warehouse but after sale through a third party the commodities are delivered to the consumer. In this model the amount of initial investment is small and could be managed from a large distance as well therefore it is the best option for the new customers.
Crypto currencies market opportunities:
Crypto currencies or digital currencies has worldwide attraction and offered several opportunities. Afghans in Canada who have experience around technology and finance could start work in this area as well.
Crypto Business:
The buying or selling of crypto currency may be beneficial but one should keep in mind that the buying or purchase of crypto currency had handicaps as well and one should be fully aware of it.
Crypto Mining: This included the crypto transection and adding it to the blockchain digital ledger. This business has benefits but required accuracy in calculation.
Crypto Advisory Jobs: The fact that crypto has complex environment so there was need for expert individuals who could offer effective and beneficial advises to the crypto businesspersons.
Sources and support for Afghan Refugees:
There are several resources for Afghan refugees who want to kick start online business in Canada. These sources could help you in starting business, its management, support, introduction the business culture in Canada and others.
Refugees Business Organisations: Some organisations such as the Immigrant Access Fund, the Immigration Services Society of BC and the Business Development Bank of Canada could provide you guidance and even it could offer financial option as well.
Government Resources: Canada Government has online sources which could help people start their business, this included the business plan, marketing, financial issues, financial administration and guidelines.
Workshops and Trainings: Most organisations such as Futurpreneur Canada, Toronto Business Development Centre and YMCA offered workshops for entrepreneurs, they also provide daily training programs as well.
Networking: The formation of a strong Network was vital for every business, through networking greater partnership and guidance is created and possible consumers could have easy access. Some activities such as joining other organisations, participating in networking events and establishing contact with relevant entrepreneur could be effective.
Canadian Business Culture: Canadian business culture maybe different with Afghanistan, understanding local business culture, art, buying and selling methods, knowing the consumer demands and their tendency could be a key point for success.
Overcoming challenges:
Although, there are opportunities available for Afghans around online business but there are considerable challenges as well existing. Some general challenges are the language issue, lack of knowledge about Canada business laws, financial insurance issues and creating business network in a new country.
These challenges could be overcome by adopting proper strategies and choosing proper sources. The language issue could be resolved through French and English language courses which are free or inexpensive for refugees. Canada government and other orgnaisation often created workshop about Canada laws from which Afghan refugees could also get advantage. It also offered support to entrepreneurs particularly to refugee entrepreneurs. Creating network is a time-consuming process but by participating in events, attending other organisations events and creating friendship could be helpful.
Final thoughts:
There are many online business opportunities for Afghans in Canada ranging from selling products in Amazon or purchasing shares in dropshipping and crypto currencies, there is greater opportunity of growth and success in all these businesses.
Understanding market condition in Canada, getting full advantage of available resources and fully utilising your strength and skills could lay a strong foundation for online business. It is pertinent to ensure continued education and getting accustomed to different environment in online business, try to be always interested and flexible and take yourself to the next levels of success.
Promotion strategy, marketing, and social media outlets:
The online business promotion in Canada was linked with you marketing strategy. In this regard the understanding of audience, value proposition and marketing channels to which your customer have greater access was important.
Social Media Marketin: Social media platforms such as facebook, Instegram, Twitter, Linkdin had vital role for the audience. These platforms could be decent options in the area of marketing.
Text Marketing: Valuable text such as blogs, posts, videos and graphics could help you attract customers. Effective text marketing helped increase website SEO and customers could also easily have access to your product and get information. These types of resources could help ensure you market strategy.
E-mail Marketing: Creating e-mail list and sending them marketing items, this could help you audience to be engaged and in addition promote you customers’ loyalty.
Understanding E-Commerce Law: For newcomers the word law is a little frightening, but still understanding online business laws was vital for legal online business in Canada, following laws are included in this regard.
Deprivation Law: The Canadian law called PIPEDA introduced basic rules and regulations that how should be personal law managed during online business.
Online Business Protection Rules (CRTC): Rules regarding online business messages and business e-mails text are introduced in this section.
Consumers Protection Law: Consumers of each province have their protection laws such as contract justice, rejection, repayment, consumer complaints; important thing is the understanding of provincial laws so that obstacles in the way of business activities are removed.
Creating successful business plan:
Careful and effective planning set the foundation for successful business. The plan included the business targets, financial targets, complete understanding of the market. Creating a detail plan can not only help you in being focused but it could be helpful during financial insurance as well because the lender know that you have strong understanding of the business.
Available Opportunities in Online: With the development of digital economy a large number of opportunities had been introduced in online business, being an Afghan refugee and businessperson, your experiences and skills could help you.
Online Services: In web-designing, digital marketing, online teaching, and other areas online services are expanding. Using your skills and taking start from minimum budget could play vital role in your success.
With the social media and streaming platforms such as YouTube, Twitch promotion there is increase in the demand, if you have skill in video making, podcasting, graphic designing and text writing you could get continued income from these platforms. Some platforms such as Patreon and OnlyFans could generate direct income for text creators.
Outcome:
We can say that online business in Canada could generate several opportunities for Afghan refugees. The online business field and widespread in Canada and there are greater opportunities in moving ahead with online business though which an online business could be successfully launched. Some elements such as stability and hard work can ensure your success in online business.
References:
1. Statistics Canada. (2021). Retail e-commerce, November 2021. Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/220111/dq220111a-eng.htm
2. Government of Canada. (2021). Starting a business. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/start.html
3. Amazon Services. (2021). Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA). Retrieved from https://sell.amazon.ca/programs/fulfilled-by-amazon.html
4. Shopify. (2021). What is Dropshipping? Retrieved from https://www.shopify.ca/blog/what-is-dropshipping
5. Cointelegraph. (2021). Cryptocurrency Trading. Retrieved from https://cointelegraph.com/bitcoin-for-beginners/what-is-cryptocurrency-trading
6. Immigrant Access Fund. (2021). Micro Loans For Skilled Immigrants. Retrieved from https://www.iafcanada.org/
7. Business Development Bank of Canada. (2021). Support for entrepreneurs impacted by the coronavirus COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.bdc.ca/en/pages/special-support.aspx?special-initiative=covid19
8. Canada Revenue Agency. (2021). Register your business. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/start/register-with-gov/register-sole-prop-partner-corp.html
9. Futurpreneur Canada. (2021). Get Started Program. Retrieved from https://www.futurpreneur.ca/en/get-started/
10. Hootsuite. (2021). Social Media Advertising 101: How to Get the Most Out of Your Ad Budget. Retrieved from https://blog.hootsuite.com/social-media-advertising/
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