E-commerce manager: who he is and what his role is in online commerce
The e-commerce manager is the person who is responsible for managing online sales, whether the business is only present online or also for offline activities. An e-commerce manager performs various activities, including being able to propose new products and services on the market, and must also be able to manage the entire sales process, from the drafting of the product sheet and the listing of the product on the online site to the ordering and shipping of the product.
What does it mean to manage an e-commerce?
Managing an e-commerce means managing several activities at the same time, but it also means having multidisciplinary knowledge and a lot of experience. Managing an e-commerce does not only involve managing sales, but also many other aspects such as organising logistics and managing the warehouse. Warehouse management is an essential element of running a business, whether online or offline. The e-commerce manager must first think about whether he needs a physical warehouse or not.
What does an e-commerce manager do?
The e-commerce manager is one of the new professions that have emerged with the progress of the digital economy. This profession has grown with the development of e-commerce. His task although it seems simple is very complex as he has to make an in-depth analysis of the market and find the right strategy to implement. This profile must have a good knowledge of strategic marketing, but also have basic knowledge of SEO techniques. The e-commerce manager must mainly deal with:
- Managing the entire online sales process.
- Finding the right strategy to sell your product online.
- Managing product sheets or any online catalogues.
- Analysing customer information.
The e-commerce manager must constantly stay up-to-date on changes and innovations in his or her field. Another main element is that an e-commerce manager must also be able to adapt to changes in the digital market, which is constantly evolving. An e-commerce manager must have digital skills to be able to manage online sales channels and must be able to analyse the competition in order to position himself well in the market. The e-commerce manager needs to collaborate with the SEO manager as the latter is an expert in analytics tools, can analyse different business performance indicators and optimise online store pages to increase their visibility.
How to become an e-commerce manager
University education is very important for an e-commerce manager here are the recommended studies :
- Bachelor's degree in general economics and try to find an internship as an e-commerce assistant manager.
- Master's degree in Web marketing in which the student can acquire skills related to company development in the digital world.
- Marketing & Sales course to acquire skills in traditional and online sales techniques.
Once the course is finished, it is appropriate to gain work experience as an e-commerce specialist.
What requirements must an online sales manager have?
He must have very high analytical skills in order to be able to measure sales trends and work on performance indicators. he must also possess marketing and communication skills. An e-commerce manager must be able to find a strategy for online marketing campaigns or make the transition from offline to online campaigns. In addition to having knowledge of mobile marketing, social media marketing and e-mail marketing, the e-commerce manager must also be able to coordinate his team.
Is it useful to take a specialised course in eCommerce management?
Having an academic background in eCommerce management is crucial, so that you can use the appropriate strategies and come up with new ideas. Professional experience is important, but combining experience and education is ideal for those who want to develop or create an eCommerce site. Academic training is essential as it allows one to adapt to any e-commerce strategy and to adopt new ones if necessary. The training required for this position is a master 's degree in digital marketing or a master's degree in new technology management.
What tools and instruments must an e-commerce manager know how to use?
An e-commerce manager must first and foremost be able to use all the tools that are needed in sales management and that allow him to keep an eye on the data and statistics on the e-commerce platform such as: the number of visitors and the number of those who have purchased, the number of products purchased, so that he can understand whether the strategy implemented and the marketing campaigns implemented are succeeding. In addition to analytical tools, it is also essential to be familiar with back-office tools and CRM software. Another important element is customer relationship management. Most companies with full or partial online sales use a management system to organise sales, an e-commerce manager must know how to use them perfectly.
What is the salary of an eCommerce management specialist?
The highest salary for the role of E-commerce Manager in Italy is €59,396 per year, while the lowest salary for a junior profile in Italy is €33,291 per year. (source: Glassdoor)
How long does it take to become an expert in the professional management of e-commerce?
There are always new developments in e-commerce, so in order to continue working in this field, one must always stay up-to-date and take courses. Even if it is difficult to become an expert in the field, it is not completely impossible; it takes perseverance and you have to be interested and passionate about your work. As far as time is concerned, there is no definite time, it all depends on one's personal characteristics , one's interest in keeping up to date with the latest news and one's experience.
Are there job offers abroad?
That of e-commerce manager remains a very popular position in Italy, but also abroad, especially in countries where online sales are more developed. If we consider Germany, France and the United Kingdom, there are many job opportunities in the field of digital business and there are many proposals for the post of e-commerce manager. However, one must take into consideration the fact that there is a lot of competition for this type of position abroad, as well as in Italy, but being able to get a job in this field is not at all impossible.
Article translated from Italian