Online business in Bangladesh is booming at the moment. Online shopping enables a buyer to order a product or service through the Internet. A Google Trends show that “online shopping” is the fourth most-searched phrase in Bangladesh.
Aside from the popular online shops, there are a few hundred little-known online shops in Dhaka and other big cities. Small-sized online vendors use different techniques to increase their reach through facebook so that people can see their products whenever they open their facebook page.
The most amazing result that stemmed from online shopping is that women are seen to be more interested in online businesses as it is hassle-free and does not require large capital or physical shops. Electronic commerce and facebook commerce are certainly an avenue for women empowerment in Bangladesh that deserves due credit.
When this correspondent asked Sanjida Haseen, the owner of online page Aleya, she spoke about her journey with the online business, she said: “At the very beginning I really did not know much about the online business itself, but slowly as time passed, I got a hang of the whole thing.”
Sanjida further said: “I started watching YouTube videos and learned the tricks of running an online business. I started talking to customers’ regularly on facebook pages and told them about the variety of products, especially clothes, that they will be able to buy from my page at a lesser price.”
Slowly and steadily she presently has a clientele of more than 3000.
Sanjida is now planning on exporting clothes as well. After six years of business, she started her own boutique shop where she is planning to export clothes to developed countries like the USA, UK, and France.
Though Sanjida is a little bit disappointed, as she feels that most of the time she does not get due credit from the society, as she is never recognized as an entrepreneur but as a person who does a little bit (tuk tak) of work on Facebook.
When asked, the entrepreneur said: “If this business was done by a man then probably he would have gotten more credit for his work, but then again I am fighting each and every moment to be a successful entrepreneur and an asset for my country. I am now happy that I can contribute a significant amount of money to my family.”
Mother of two daughters, Sanjida despite all the bindings from society has become a role model for her daughters and her family.
On the other hand, Zunayra Hossain owner of the page Zaanaya said: “I am disappointed with online business, customers doubt us every moment. They think that going to markets and seeing the product practically gives them a sense of satisfaction and authenticity.”
Zunayra added that she never got funding from any place. She tried her luck at different banks but she came back empty-handed.
With all the issues put forth by society, these two women and thousands of women who are doing online business are hell-bent on changing the norms and rules of society each and every day. While most come out as successful some even feel the pain of being beaten as society is really fast to criticize them at every step.
