Why You Should Consider Working in Ecommerce

Why You Should Consider Working in Ecommerce

You’ve probably heard a lot about ecommerce in the media as of late. E Articles are published about this booming industry every day. Some of the pieces focus on the changing market landscape, which makes shopping easier for consumers; while others prefer to discuss the disrupting affects associated with ecommerce.

The latter tend to be alarmist, flouting terms such as “retail apocalypse.”

But what exactly is ecommerce? When divorced from all the rhetoric and media madness, ecommerce is defined as the exchange of merchandise over the internet. Money (and data) are transferred electronically, while products are shipped physically.

But what if you want to work in ecommerce?

Are there opportunities here?

As a matter of fact, yes.

Let’s take a look at why you should consider working in ecommerce.

Ecommerce Allows You to Be Your Own Boss

One of the best aspects of ecommerce is it’s an easy way for fledgling entrepreneurs to get their start. Thanks to ecommerce platform providers like Shopify or e-store hosts like Etsy, people can start selling quickly and easily.

Because these platforms and hosts provide payment processing, a web presence, security features, tracking tools and the like, there is little to worry about beyond what you sell. How nice!

Best of all though, ecommerce empowers you to sell your products, your way.

Ecommerce Offers a Variety of Job Opportunities

Even if you don’t want to start your own store, there are careers in ecommerce that might better match your professional goals.

Customer service is a good example. Ecommerce stores cannot manage customer disagreements face to face. This creates a need for skilled communicators capable of solving customer issues with email, social media, chat, or on the phone.

Other positions include marketing managers, social media gurus, market research analysts, web administrators, graphic artists and brand designers. There is a wide variety of opportunities to get into ecommerce, regardless of your skill set.

Ecommerce Helps You Develop a Diverse Skill Set

Another reason to consider working in ecommerce is it provides opportunities to develop a broad range of skills. This isn’t always the case in other fields of endeavor, especially with large established companies. One day you might be posting memes to social media; the next you’re crafting a marketing email.

This helps develop your skills in multiple areas, and enhances your understanding of how the business operates from top to bottom. Then, should you ever decide to seek a position elsewhere, you can wow interviewers with the breadth of your experience.

The Ecommerce Market Is Booming

There is one more reason you should consider working in ecommerce – the market is booming. According to The Next Scoop, “ecommerce is growing at an unprecedented rate all over the world.” Emerging markets in India and China are solid drivers of ecommerce. Given it’s a borderless business, this presents you with more customers than you could ever reach otherwise.

Meanwhile, in the United States, consumers are well enamored with the ability of ecommerce to deliver products right to their homes. This trend has accelerated as mobile usage has gone up. Ecommerce sales in the United States hit $1.3 trillion in 2014. Statistica estimates the market will be worth $4.8 trillion by 2021.

To summarize, there are a number of powerful reasons why you should consider working in ecommerce. Among them, the market is booming, the work is diverse, the prospects are exciting and it’s a relatively easy way to go into business for yourself.