Is Ecommerce A Good Career Path (2024) - Yes, But Why?

One huge technological contribution to the world of business is e-commerce. Globalization means retailers are no longer limited to their local geographical area: they are reaching more customers and creating more connections online. In this blog, we explore the new careers being created by the huge growth in e-commerce. We also examine the skills needed to excel in e-commerce careers, including the benefits of choosing a BBA in E-Commerce or an MBA in E-Commerce specialization.

E-commerce explained

Simply speaking, e-commerce is the buying or selling of commodities and products over digital platforms. You can also transfer data or funds with e-commerce. In e-commerce, the primary digital platform used is the Internet.

E-commerce transactions usually take the form of:

• Business-to-business (B2B)

• Business-to-consumer (B2C)

• Consumer-to-consumer

• Consumer-to-business

According to a recent Gartner survey of digital commerce businesses, 61% of respondents were engaged in both B2C and B2B digital commerce.

The B2C business model based on e-commerce is thriving, especially since the start of the COVID 19 pandemic. So, if you are wondering how to become a Shopee seller, or how to become a seller on Lazada, a grounding in e-commerce will stand you in good stead!

Why work in ecommerce?

If you are thinking about a career in ecommerce, the first thing is to decide whether it is the right industry for you. There are a variety of job opportunities in e-commerce, each requiring specific skills and offering particular paths for progression. In addition to the specifics of each role, some overarching features of the e-commerce sector make it an attractive one to join.

E-commerce is continuously growing

We all know it: e-commerce is changing the way we do business. More and more people turn to e-commerce because of its convenience to both the customer and the business. ecommerce sales equaled 4.2 trillion US dollars worldwide in 2020, 18% of the world’s total retail sales. In the US, online shopping and selling are well established, with Amazon being the leading online marketplace.

The rise in e-commerce sales parallels the continuing popularity of mobile smartphones. In 2021 alone, almost 70% of all e-commerce website visits worldwide are made through smartphones. This number will still rise due to the rapid adoption of mobile devices, especially in parts of the world that lack other digital infrastructure. However, no matter the device used, e-commerce sales are projected to grow further this year by 16.8%.

A job in e-commerce helps you grow

Compared to traditional selling, e-commerce accelerates your professional growth through constant testing and real-time feedback. The e-commerce industry is fast paced, meaning that the work you do needs to keep up.

The use of digital platforms naturally integrates with data analytics, giving you real-time feedback from customers. This allows you to evaluate your business tactics, change your approach if needs be, put new strategies into place, and monitor the effect on the customer experience.

This cycle of feedback, testing, evaluation, and analysis helps you learn more about your business and its customers in a short amount of time. In e-commerce, the business is not the only one that experiences growth: you grow as well.

An e-commerce job makes you think like a manager

Having a job in e-commerce means you are not simply tied down to your workload. You get to experience different aspects of the company such as:

• Product marketing

• Supply chain management

• Pricing and profit management

• Up-selling

• Cross-selling

• Customer acquisition

• Customer support

Managers usually take responsibility for handling these aspects of the business. Learning how to manage these areas of e-commerce gives you fundamental management experience, and skills that are transferrable to other industries.

E-commerce puts you in the customers' shoes

Brand Experience and Customer Experience are two key highlights of a good retailer. Successful e-commerce companies look at their business through the customers’ eyes. They analyze customer shopping habits, as well as customer feedback to gain insight into how customers feel and think. This perspective helps you become a better marketer and, in turn, increases your company’s sales.

Looking To Pursue A Career In Ecom?

Discover how you can acquire the most in-demand skills with our free report, and open the doors to a successful career. Download the free report today!

Looking to potentially take your career even further? Consider how an Online BBA or Online MBA can help you develop these skills and increase your earning potential.

We specifically have an MBA with specialization in Ecommerce for those wanting to launch their career in ecommerce.

Is Ecommerce a good career path to pursue in 2024?

Ecommerce is a great career path to pursue in 2024. With the rapid growth of online shopping, ecommerce is becoming increasingly important and lucrative. Companies are investing heavily in digital marketing and ecommerce platforms, creating plenty of opportunities for those with the right skillset.

According to Ibis World, "the number of people employed in the E-Commerce & Online Auctions industry in the US increased 14.4% on average over the five years between 2018 and 2023."

Ecommerce professionals can expect to have a wide range of responsibilities, from developing websites to managing customer service and analytics. Additionally, there are many different career paths within ecommerce, such as web development, digital marketing, product management, and more. With the right qualifications and experience, you can find yourself in a highly sought-after role that offers competitive salaries and job security.

In short, pursuing an ecommerce career in 2024 is a great choice for those looking for a rewarding and exciting career path.

Types of ecommerce jobs to consider

There are various types of ecommerce jobs available, ranging from marketing and sales roles to technical positions. 

Some of the common job titles in the ecommerce industry include digital marketing manager, ecommerce manager, online merchandiser, customer service representative, web developer, and data analyst. These roles entail different responsibilities such as managing online marketing campaigns, optimizing the user experience on ecommerce websites, and analyzing customer data to improve sales and retention. 

Overall, the ecommerce industry offers a wide range of job opportunities for individuals with diverse skills and interests. 

Careers in e-commerce

Like any other business, e-commerce offers a wide variety of jobs to boost your career. Here are some of the job roles you can apply for in e-commerce.

Entry-level jobs in e-commerce

Establishing a career in e-commerce means that you may have to start with an entry-level job to gain valuable work experience and work your way up. Here are some entry-level jobs to start your e-commerce career.

SEO Content Writer

Successful e-commerce companies know how to maximize their resources. One way to market their business without spending extra money is through having SEO-optimized content on their website. Having content that is search engine optimized increases website traffic and exposure to the e-commerce brand.

• Job Description: An SEO content writer must create SEO-optimized material. This can be in the form of product descriptions or blog posts for the e-commerce website. You can write search engine optimized content from scratch, or update older content to boost website traffic.

• Job Requirements: To be an SEO content writer, you must possess verbal and written communication skills. You also must be knowledgeable in SEO, as well as familiar with content management tools, keyword management tools, and Google analytics.

Customer Service Representative

Customer satisfaction is crucial in e-commerce businesses. It is what makes or breaks them, so it is important that customers have someone they can turn to whenever they have inquiries, complaints, or problems.

• Job Description: The customer service representatives, or CSR, are in constant communication with customers and clients. They answer inquiries, respond to complaints, and solve problems that arise through regular communication via email or social media messages. CSRs also must follow up with customers on their orders and purchases. They make sure that clients are satisfied and that they had a great customer experience.

• Job Requirements: A great customer service representative must have excellent verbal or written communications skills. They must also be quick to respond and well organized.

Order Clerks

A successful e-commerce brand relies on a high level of organization surrounding purchases and sales orders. As well as improving the customer’s experience, with reduced waiting times and fewer errors, an order clerk brings benefits to the business by making online selling more efficient.

• Job Description: An order clerk processes customer information such as name, address, and contact number. They are responsible for handling customer orders, communicating with customers concerning their shipment details, and performing order follow-ups.

• Job Requirements: Order clerks don’t need complicated credentials. Most e-commerce companies require them to have at least a high school diploma. On top of that, they must be highly organized, great communicators, and familiar with basic software such as MS Office and Excel.

Senior jobs in e-commerce

As the number of e-commerce businesses worldwide increases, the demand for experienced professionals and individuals also grows. You can boost your already established career with the help of e-commerce. Here are some jobs for the experienced salesperson.

Business Analyst

Business analysts are crucial for every business and even more so for e-commerce businesses.

• Job Description: A business analyst gathers and tracks data on the business and analyzes it. This is used to form insights on how the business can increase its profit and sales. Important aspects of an e-commerce business analyst’s job include forecasting, financial modeling, and insight reporting.

• Job Requirements: A business analyst must look at numbers, analyze them, and report and advise on them. Therefore, it is important to have good knowledge about market trends and the market itself. A business analyst usually has a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Management, Business Studies, or even IT. Plus, they should be familiar with using applications such as Excel.

Web Developer

An e-commerce business won’t exist without its digital platform. This means web developers are crucial in building a successful e-commerce brand.

• Job Description: A web developer designs and creates the website for the e-commerce business. They also make sure that the e-commerce website is working and is bug-free. If ever the website is not running, a web developer is also in charge of troubleshooting.

• Job Requirements: A web developer usually needs a Bachelor’s diploma in Web development or a related field. In addition, web developers should have knowledge in programming and web design, as well as applications like JavaScript and CSS. It is also ideal for a web developer to be a team player and a person who can work well under stress.

These are only a few careers available in the e-commerce sector. While the roles have different responsibilities, they also make use of a diverse range of skills.

Skills needed for a career in ecommerce

If you think a career in the e-commerce job market is for you, it is important to understand the skills e-commerce companies look for in a candidate.

Data Analytics

A degree in data analytics can make you very valuable to an e-commerce business. The data collected forms the basis of decision-making in every aspect of the business. However, this huge amount of data needs processing before it can be used to inform decisions. This is where data analytics comes in.

Analyzing data can help investigate issues, solve problems, and identify new avenues for e-commerce businesses to explore. It can also help in forecasting sales as well as marketing and pricing decisions.

In an era where businesses heavily rely on data to make decisions, the ability to interpret and make insights from the available data is a valuable skill.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

What’s the use of your well-crafted content if it’s not raking in website traffic? One key to increasing sales is through search engine optimization or SEO. SEO helps search engines find and catalog the content of your website and list your pages on their results list. This gives your company more exposure, more visits and, ultimately, more revenue.

The skill of SEO combines data analytics, copywriting, content marketing, and A/B testing to produce content that ranks and boosts engagement to your website. For e-commerce businesses, this organic form of advertising is essential for success.

Design and Creativity

Since e-commerce businesses operate without a physical store, they rely heavily on the appearance of their website and social media. It is important that e-commerce websites are visually appealing, but they should also be easy to navigate.

You can also showcase your creativity and design skills through advertisements, that should be striking and informative. You must highlight the important things about the business and use designs that will catch the eye of your potential customer.

Marketing and Advertising

Advertising and marketing strategies are essential ways to build a successful e-commerce business. The process of marketing your products and services requires planning and resources.

Companies working in e-commerce must think of ways to make advertisements stand out. They also need to market their products outside of the traditional newspaper and magazine ads. These innovations led to the rise of digital marketing, particularly social media marketing and email marketing.

In order to have a successful career in e-commerce, you must equip yourself with the most up-to-date marketing and advertising skills through a modern Digital Marketing Degree.

How to start your ecommerce career

Starting a career in ecommerce can be an exciting and fulfilling journey.

If you are looking to start your own ecommerce business, you will need to come up with a unique product or service, conduct market research, create a strong brand, build a user-friendly website, and implement effective marketing strategies to reach your target audience.

If you are interested in working for an existing ecommerce brand, there are a few key steps to take. First, do your research and identify companies that align with your interests and values. Then, network with professionals in the industry and seek out internship or entry-level positions to gain experience and knowledge. You can also consider pursuing relevant education or certifications to enhance your qualifications.

Once you land a job with an existing ecommerce brand, be open to learning and taking on new challenges, and actively seek opportunities for growth and advancement within the company. With determination, hard work, and a passion for ecommerce, you can carve out a successful career in this fast-growing industry. 

Progressing your e-commerce career

E-commerce is a highly complex and fast-moving industry. To progress in your career, you’ll need strong technical skills such as digital strategy, supply chain management and digital transformation.  However, to reach more senior roles, you’ll also need to master soft skills like creativity, communication and customer-centric thinking.

Adding a modern skills-focused degree to your CV is an effective way to acquire these soft skills while also developing your technical understanding. You can even specialize in programs that hone vital E-commerce skills like project management and digital analytics. Nexford University offers a BBA in Supply Chain Management and an MBA in E-commerce, which are both specially catered for your career.

FAQs  

What are the highest paying ecommerce jobs?

The highest paying ecommerce jobs are typically those that require a high level of technical expertise and experience. For example, an ecommerce product manager is responsible for managing the entire product range of the business, handling product optimization and development, alongside fixing any issues which arise. Individuals filling this role earn, on average around $90,338 per year. Other high paying ecommerce roles include project manager, digital marketing manager, operations manager, director of ecommerce, etc.

Do you need a bachelor's degree for an eCommerce job?

Having a bachelor's degree is not always necessary for an eCommerce job. Depending on the company and the position, some employers may prefer candidates with a degree, while others may be more interested in experience or skills. For example, if you are applying for a customer service role, having a degree may not be as important as having excellent communication and problem-solving skills. On the other hand, if you are applying for a managerial role, then having a degree could be beneficial. Ultimately, it depends on the company and the job requirements. It is important to research each job opportunity thoroughly to determine what qualifications are needed before applying.

Looking To Pursue A Career In Ecom?

Discover how you can acquire the most in-demand skills with our free report, and open the doors to a successful career. Download the free report today!

Looking to potentially take your career even further? Consider how an Online BBA Degree or Online MBA Degree can help you develop these skills and increase your earning potential.

We specifically have an MBA with specialization in Ecommerce for those wanting to launch their career in ecommerce. Learn, upskill, and stay relevant to the e-commerce job market with Nexford University.