EVERYONE talks about online business. They buy and sell items through the internet. It was unheard of a decade ago. Today, it is a trend. After the Covid, many people have turned to online business.They conduct retail activities for businesses operating exclusively online.
They may perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.
What do they do?
They fill customer orders by packaging sold items and providing documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.
- They receive and process payments from customers using electronic transaction services.
- They create, manage, or automate orders or invoices using order management or invoicing software.
- They deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipments.
- They correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.
What technology skills are needed?
- Knowledge of graphics or photo imaging software
- Point-of-sale POS software
- Sales and marketing software
- Web page creation and editing software
- Web platform development software
Occupational Requirements
Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to programme, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
What skills do you need?
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Active listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Persuasion: Persuading others to change their minds or behaviour.
What knowledge do you need?
Knowledge of the structure and content of the language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services.
This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Customer and personal service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods.
This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
What abilities are required?
Written comprehension: The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Oral expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Problem sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
Written Expression: The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
Deductive reasoning: The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Holland’s Code
According to Holland’s Code, online business falls under C and E.
Conventional (C): Work involves following procedures and regulations to organise information or data, typically in a business setting.
Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Enterprising (E): Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations.
Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.
Education
The entry level for online business varies. You can major in any course and still go into online business. Sometimes the brand owner may provide you with basic training.
If you are interested, you can join ODL courses and gain further knowledge. Some people attend seminars and workshops to learn special skills.
Whether you hold a certificate, diploma, or degree, it really doesn’t matter. Many people who have never stepped into a college are doing very well in this field.
For further information:
If you have a career-related question, write to:
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