What Do Online Merchants Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Online Merchants conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records. They also fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.

Other tasks include:

• Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.
• Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.
• Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.
• Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.
• Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.
• Design customer interface of online storefront, using web programming or e-commerce software.

We asked Online Merchants how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Online Merchants calculate purchase subtotals, taxes, and shipping costs for submission to customers. They order or purchase merchandise to maintain optimal inventory levels.

A typical day for an Online Merchant will also include:

• Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.
• Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.
• Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.
• Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.
• Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.

We asked some Online Merchants a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Online Merchants also maintain inventory of shipping supplies, such as boxes, labels, tape, bubble wrap, loose packing materials, or tape guns. They may also measure and analyze Web site usage data to maximize search engine returns or refine customer interfaces.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Online Merchants Participate in online forums or conferences to stay abreast of online retailing trends, techniques, or security threats. They might also Transfer digital media, such as music, video, or software, to customers via the Internet.

In addition, they Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Calculate revenue, sales, and expenses, using financial accounting or spreadsheet software.

To some Online Merchants, it is also their responsibility to Cancel orders based on customer requests or inventory or delivery problems.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Online Merchant, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

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