Daily tasks/Routine activities

1. Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.

2. Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.

3. Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.

4. Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.

5. Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.

6. Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.

7. Determine and set product prices.

8. Calculate purchase subtotals, taxes, and shipping costs for submission to customers.

9. Compose descriptions of merchandise for posting to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.

10. Compose images of products, using video or still cameras, lighting equipment, props, or photo or video editing software.

11. Upload digital media, such as photos, video, or scanned images to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.

12. Calculate revenue, sales, and expenses, using financial accounting or spreadsheet software.

13. Cancel orders based on customer requests or inventory or delivery problems.

14. Prepare or organize online storefront marketing material, including product descriptions or subject lines, optimizing content to search engine criteria.

Key knowledge areas

The following key knowledge areas help  an Online merchant execute his duties  better.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English 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 modeling, 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.

Skills

The following skills aid an Online merchant carry out his or her duties with ease ;.

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 behavior.

Abilities

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 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.