Your 2025 Guide to Landing High-Growth Ecommerce Jobs

Ecommerce is hiring.

The industry hit $6.42 trillion in global sales in 2025 and shows no signs of stopping. While other sectors face economic headwinds, ecommerce continues its double-digit growth — creating thousands of jobs every quarter.

The opportunity is massive.

Sixty-two percent of ecommerce businesses plan to hire within the next six months — making 2025 one of the strongest hiring years in the industry's history.

Whether you're launching your career or pivoting from another field, ecommerce offers stability, growth, and skills that protect your future.

Discover How to Master Personalisation in the Age of AI

Users expect personalised and user-friendly websites more than ever. Learn how you can give them the experience they want.

View the Report

The forces fuelling explosive growth

Global ecommerce will grow at 7.8% annually through 2027, reaching $8 trillion — outpacing traditional retail. In the U.S. alone, ecommerce sales grew 74.6% faster than total retail sales from 2024 Q1 to 2025 Q1.

What makes this growth sustainable? Three factors:

1. Mobile commerce dominance

Mobile accounts for 59% of ecommerce sales — $4.01 trillion in 2025.

Consumers shop everywhere. On public transit. In bed. During lunch breaks. This behaviour drives demand for mobile-first designers, UX specialists, and conversion optimisers.

2. Emerging market expansion

The Philippines' ecommerce market grew 24.1% in 2023, making it the fastest-growing globally. Countries like India, Thailand and Malaysia are experiencing similar booms.

Companies need professionals who understand cross-border commerce, international logistics and localised marketing.

3. Social commerce explosion

73% of U.S. shoppers discover products on social media. Platforms like TikTok Shop and Instagram Shopping blur the line between content and commerce.

Businesses need social media managers, content creators and paid social specialists who can convert scrollers into buyers.

AI creates more opportunities than it eliminates

The opportunity is clear: Wages are growing twice as fast in industries with high AI exposure compared to those with the least.

AI isn't replacing ecommerce professionals. It's elevating them.

46% of skills in a typical U.S. job posting are poised for hybrid transformation by AI. Human oversight remains essential while AI handles routine tasks.

Entry-level analysts use AI to prepare datasets. Marketing coordinators use generative AI to create first draughts. Product managers use AI-powered tools to analyse customer feedback at scale.

The winners? Professionals who combine domain expertise with AI literacy.

New roles emerging

The U.S. posted over 35,000 AI-related job openings in Q1 2025, with roles like AI/ML Engineer, Prompt Engineer and Data Scientist commanding premium salaries.

Ecommerce companies need people who can implement AI chatbots, optimise recommendation engines, and create personalised shopping experiences.

Bottom line: 133 million new jobs could emerge globally by 2025, many in AI-adjacent fields. Learning to work alongside AI — not compete with it — positions you for long-term career growth.

Multiple career paths, one industry

Source: Zip Recruiter, *Glassdoor, **Mike Palm

Ecommerce offers four distinct career tracks.

Whether you're creative, analytical, technical or operations-focused, there's a fit:

Creative roles build brand experiences. Content writers craft product descriptions and marketing copy. UX/UI designers optimise customer journeys. Social media managers turn followers into customers.

Analytical roles drive decisions with data. Data analysts identify trends. Market researchers understand customer behaviour. Conversion rate optimisers improve every touchpoint.

Technical roles power the infrastructure. Web developers build platforms. Integration specialists connect systems. Cybersecurity analysts protect customer data.

Operations roles keep business moving. Product managers coordinate launches. Supply chain coordinators manage logistics. Customer service leads solve problems at scale.

Each step builds on previous experience while expanding responsibilities and compensation.

Skills that matter most in 2025

Ecommerce jobs build career-proof competencies.

Unlike narrow, industry-specific roles, ecommerce positions require skills that travel across sectors and continents.

Technical skills.

Data literacy drives every ecommerce role. Learn to interpret conversion rates, analyse customer behaviour, and make data-driven decisions. These analytical skills apply everywhere — from healthcare to finance to manufacturing.

Digital marketing mastery opens doors across industries. Ecommerce professionals understand SEO, paid advertising, email campaigns, and social media strategy. Companies across sectors need this expertise.

Technical fluency increases your value. Work with platforms like BigCommerce, Shopify, HubSpot and others, which offer free and paid online training. Learn about APIs, integrations, design and workflows. These certifications make you valuable in an increasingly digital business landscape.

Retailers increasingly demand problem-solving, AI literacy and customer experience. Soft skills remain essential as technology evolves.

Soft skills.

Customer psychology transcends industries. Ecommerce teaches you to anticipate pain points, design frictionless experiences, and build loyalty programmes that retain customers. These insights about human behaviour apply universally.

Adaptability becomes second nature. Ecommerce moves fast and stays unpredictable. Whether you work in a customer-facing or backroom role, no two days are alike. Being able to pivot is essential.

Entry-level jobs in ecommerce

The job market has evolved. Traditional roles remain essential, but new positions reflect how AI, data analytics and omnichannel selling have transformed online retail.

Ecommerce specialist.

What you'll do: Manage product listings, assist with order processing, support customer enquiries, and perform inventory cheques. Coordinate between marketing, fulfilment, and customer service teams.

What you'll learn: This role offers exposure to multiple aspects of online retail. Platform management, basic digital marketing and operations — skills that transfer across the industry.

Typical salary: $37,000 - $75,000

Customer service representative.

Customer service representatives remain the backbone of ecommerce operations, with many offering remote work.

What you'll do: Handle orders, answer queries, process refunds, and resolve issues via phone, email, and live chat. At smaller companies, assist with email marketing or social media management during quieter periods.

Typical salary: $35,000 - $50,000

Digital marketing assistant.

Marketing roles are seeing increased demand, with analytics and sales becoming central focuses.

What you'll do: Track market trends, monitor campaign performance, and support content creation. Work with social media, email campaigns, PPC advertising, and SEO — gaining practical experience in channels that drive ecommerce revenue.

Typical salary: $45,000 - $70,000

Product listing specialist.

What you'll do: Optimise how products appear across ecommerce platforms. Maintain product listings, write descriptions, select images and categorise products.

What you'll learn: Strong product listings directly impact search rankings and conversion rates. SEO principles, ecommerce marketplace algorithms, and how customers search for products online.

Typical salary: $36,000 - $40,000

Data analyst.

Data analysts use customer data to identify trends and improve decision-making. Roles are often available remotely.

What you'll do: Analyse customer behaviour, track sales performance, and provide insights that shape marketing strategies. This role requires comfort with numbers and analytical tools.

Typical salary: $55,000 - $75,000

Warehouse and fulfilment coordinator.

What you'll do: Ensure orders get picked, packed and shipped on time. Manage inventory levels, coordinate with shipping carriers, and optimise warehouse operations.

Industry trend: Fulfilment centres increasingly hire year-round rather than seasonally, with companies like Amazon leading in permanent roles.

Typical salary: $37,000 - $44,000

Junior web developer.

Web development roles pay higher salaries than other entry-level ecommerce positions.

What you'll do: Build and maintain ecommerce websites, ensuring speed, security and usability. Work with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce.

In demand: Developers with knowledge of JavaScript, Java, Python, Ruby and Linux.

Typical salary:  $60,000 - $85,000

Social media coordinator.

Social commerce continues growing as consumers discover products through social platforms.

What you'll do: Manage brand presence, create content, engage with customers and track performance. Work across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other channels where ecommerce increasingly happens.

Skills needed: Combines creativity with data analysis.

Typical salary:  $42,000 - $69,000

SEO content writer.

Search engines drive ecommerce traffic.

What you'll do: Optimise website content to improve search rankings. Write product descriptions, category pages, blog posts and landing pages.

What you'll learn: Understanding of keywords, meta-tags, backlinks, and adapting to algorithm changes.

Typical salary: $49,000 - $79,000

Next steps for a newbie:

• Take online courses in digital marketing or data analysis

• Learn ecommerce platforms through free trials (Shopify, WooCommerce)

• Build a portfolio project (even a mock online store) that demonstrates skills

• Consider certifications in Google Analytics or Facebook Ads

70% of ecommerce companies use internships to hire new talent. Pursue internship opportunities.

Experienced-level ecommerce jobs

Entry-level positions provide a foundation, but ecommerce offers substantial career growth for professionals with experience. Here are roles that typically require 3-5+ years of experience and relevant background.

UX/UI designer.

User experience designers shape how customers interact with ecommerce platforms. They determine navigation structure, checkout flows, mobile responsiveness and overall site usability.

Real-world application: Analyse customer behaviour data to identify friction points in the shopping journey. Redesign a product page after discovering that 60% of users abandon their carts at the shipping information stage. Conduct A/B tests, create wireframes, and collaborate with developers to implement design changes.

Typical salary: $82,000 - $150,000

Community manager.

What you'll do: Build loyal followings by engaging directly with customers on social platforms, forums, and review sites. Respond to comments and messages, moderate discussions, organise online events, and turn satisfied customers into vocal brand advocates.

Skills needed: Social media expertise combined with customer service and project management.

Example: Host Instagram Live Q&As with dermatologists, feature customer photos in social posts, and create exclusive product launches for loyal members.

Typical salary: $47,000 - $80,000

Ecommerce developer.

Developers build and maintain the technical infrastructure of online stores.

Frontend developers create the visible site — product pages, shopping carts, checkout flows.

Backend developers handle databases, inventory management systems, payment processing and order fulfilment logic.

Example project: Integrate augmented reality tools so customers can visualise products in their homes, connect the site to warehouse management systems for real-time inventory updates, and optimise page load speeds to reduce cart abandonment.

Typical salary: $57,000 - $127,000

IT support specialist.

What you'll do: Maintain the technology infrastructure that keeps ecommerce running. Troubleshoot software issues, manage warehouse scanning equipment, maintain point-of-sale systems, oversee network security and ensure employees can access critical systems.

Daily reality: When the inventory management system crashes during a flash sale, fix it. When warehouse workers report barcode scanners malfunctioning, diagnose and repair them. Handle routine maintenance like software updates and password resets.

Typical salary:  $56,000 - $94,000

Business analyst.

What you'll do: Track key metrics like conversion rates, average order value, customer acquisition costs and cart abandonment rates. Identify patterns in sales data, forecast demand pricing, assess marketing campaign performance, and present findings to leadership.

Impact example: Discover that mobile users abandon carts at twice the rate of desktop users, prompting a mobile checkout redesign. Analyse customer behaviour to reveal that free shipping increases order values by 40%, justifying the cost.

Typical salary: $66,000 - $157,000

Graphic designer.

What you'll do: This job type involves creating visual content for product listings, marketing campaigns, social media, email newsletters, and website banners. Design product images, infographics, seasonal promotions and brand assets.

Daily tasks: Photograph products, edit images to match brand aesthetics, design lifestyle graphics showing items in styled rooms, and create seasonal email headers promoting holiday sales.

Typical salary:  $50,000 - $82,000

Management-level ecommerce jobs

As ecommerce operations grow, companies need experienced leaders to coordinate teams and strategy. Here are the most common management roles.

Supply chain manager.

Responsibilities: Oversee inventory, vendor relationships, warehousing, shipping, and returns. Coordinate between suppliers, fulfilment centres and logistics partners to ensure products arrive on time and at the right cost.

Real-world challenges: Negotiate contracts with overseas manufacturers, track shipping containers, manage warehouse staff, forecast seasonal inventory needs, and implement software to reduce fulfilment errors. Respond to supply disruptions and find alternative suppliers when needed.

Typical salary:  $80,000 - $192,000

Ecommerce operations manager.

What you'll do: Coordinate the day-to-day technical functions that keep an online store running. Oversee website maintenance, platform updates, site performance, order processing systems, and integration between different software tools.

Example responsibilities: Ensure the site stays live during high-traffic periods, coordinate with developers to fix checkout bugs, implement new shipping software, manage platform migrations, and maintain integrations between the website, inventory system and email marketing tools.

Typical salary: $41,000 - $118,000

Digital marketing manager.

Responsibilities: Oversee online promotional strategies across channels, including SEO, paid advertising, email campaigns, social media and content marketing. Manage budgets, coordinate with creative teams, analyse campaign performance and optimise conversion rates.

Daily work: Run Google Ads campaigns, A/B test email subject lines, coordinate influencer partnerships, track customer acquisition costs, and adjust budgets based on which channels drive the most profitable sales.

Typical salary: $58,000 - $96,000

Customer experience manager.

What you'll do: Lead initiatives to improve satisfaction across all touchpoints. Analyse customer feedback, reduce friction in the buying process, manage support teams, track metrics like Net Promoter Score, and coordinate improvements between departments.

Impact activities: Review support tickets to identify recurring issues, implement live chat to reduce wait times, train customer service representatives on handling refunds, and work with the product team to simplify the cancellation process after noticing complaints.

Typical salary: $41,000 - $149,000

Director of ecommerce.

Responsibilities: Lead overall online sales strategy and operations. Set revenue targets, approve major initiatives, manage department budgets, hire senior team members, report to C-suite executives and coordinate between marketing, operations, technology and finance teams.

Strategic decisions: Develop the annual ecommerce roadmap, decide whether to expand to international markets, approve the marketing budget allocation, evaluate platform migration options, and present quarterly performance reports to the CEO.

Typical salary: $121,000 - $258,000

The contradictory ecommerce job market

Ecommerce hiring patterns look confusing right now.

Broad hiring data shows retail and tech companies pulling back. Layoffs are climbing. Job postings grow more slowly. Application pools swell—giving employers more leverage.

But specialist roles tell a different storey.

Companies urgently need digital marketing experts, analytics professionals, UX designers, logistics specialists, and AI-focused talent. Demand for these skills remains strong. Qualified candidates maintain bargaining power.

Generalist hiring has softened — especially at large retailers and legacy tech teams — while employers fiercely compete for scarce, high-value ecommerce expertise.

Two opposing forces create this split:

Macro pressure drives in one direction. Slower growth, cost-cutting, and automation fuel layoffs. Larger applicant pools favour employers. Hiring becomes slower and more selective.

Rapid technology change pulls the opposite way. AI, analytics, and fulfilment automation create urgent needs. Revenue-driving ecommerce skills remain scarce. Technology-focused roles command higher pay and candidate leverage.

Employer behaviours reflect this tension. Poor communication and "ghosting" candidates happen frequently—even for in-demand positions. High application volumes make companies more selective.

The result? A market that favours employers overall, but still rewards narrowly skilled ecommerce professionals.

Ready to find your ecommerce role? Here's where to look

1. Get a referral.

Referrals unlock the hidden job market.

71% of job seekers now find positions through referrals, making your network your most powerful asset.

Employers trust recommendations from current employees. The hiring process moves faster. Your application already has an advocate before you walk through the door.

Reach out to contacts already working in ecommerce. That conversation could lead directly to your next opportunity.

2. Expand your network strategically.

No connections at your target company? Start building relationships six to twelve months before you need them.

Effective networking happens through:

• Volunteering in your desired industry

• Attending ecommerce conferences and virtual events

• Joining professional groups on LinkedIn

• Engaging in hobbies that introduce you to diverse professionals

Companies increasingly value referrals and personal recommendations from trusted sources. Each new connection expands your potential opportunities exponentially.

3. Build your ecommerce presence.

Looking for senior-level positions? Employers expect proven expertise.

Create evidence of your authority:

• Write educational blog content

• Speak at industry conferences

• Share insights on LinkedIn

• Contribute to ecommerce discussions

This strategy takes time. Start now. Your digital footprint becomes your 24/7 interview.

4. Partner with recruiters.

Recruiters work to get you hired. They guide you through every step, from resume refinement to interview prep.

The hidden advantage: Recruiters connect you with positions not publicly advertised. Some companies fill vacancies exclusively through recruitment agencies.

5. Master the major job boards.

When full-time, part-time and freelance roles get posted, they appear on these platforms. Each offers distinct advantages.

Indeed.

Indeed is the biggest and most popular job board worldwide. Its AI-powered search helps you find specific roles in your location.

Upload your resume using ATS-friendly templates. Set up job alerts. Indeed hosts over 350 million monthly active job seekers, giving you access to massive opportunity pools.

Free to use. Employers can sponsor posts for increased visibility.

LinkedIn.

LinkedIn is the world's most popular social network for professionals. It excels at professional networking and senior-level positions.

Beyond job listings, LinkedIn offers industry insights and professional development. Use industry-specific keywords to increase your visibility to recruiters.

Set up job alerts. Connect with hiring managers directly. Your profile becomes your living resume.

ZipRecruiter.

ZipRecruiter uses AI algorithms to match candidates with relevant openings and distributes postings to over 100 job boards.

The platform simplifies your search with smart recommendations. Mobile-friendly design lets you browse and apply anywhere.

Access to a database of 45 million resumes means serious employer engagement.

Specialised ecommerce job boards.

Industry-specific boards filter out irrelevant postings. Every listing relates directly to ecommerce roles.

Ecomportal focuses exclusively on DTC and online retail positions. Browse jobs in digital marketing, engineering, operations, and more from top direct-to-consumer brands. New positions are posted daily.

Ecommerce.jobs specialises in broader ecommerce roles. The platform connects fast-growing brands, apps, and agencies with talent across product management, engineering, marketing, and operations.

You spend less time sorting. More time applying to positions that match your skills and interests.

6. Apply directly on the company's career pages.

Skip the middleman. Visit the careers pages of companies that interest you.

Many ecommerce businesses post openings on their own websites before listing them on job boards. You'll find positions that haven't hit the wider market yet, giving you a competitive advantage.

Target companies whose products, culture, or mission resonate with you. Research their technology stack, read their blog and follow their social media. When you apply directly, reference specific projects or initiatives that caught your attention.

Looking to work at a platform company? Explore careers at BigCommerce, Feedonomics, and other ecommerce technology providers. These roles offer exposure to hundreds of merchants and cutting-edge commerce challenges.

Direct applications also signal genuine interest. You took time to find them specifically rather than mass-applying through job boards.

The sobering reality of today's job search.

The average job search now spans about five months. Hiring timelines have stretched to around 50 days for companies to finalise offers.

Remote work changed everything. You're competing with candidates globally, not just locally and on-site.

72% of job seekers report that job hunting negatively affects their mental health. Stay persistent. Use multiple strategies simultaneously. Your unique combination of skills and experience sets you apart.

Consider upskilling in relevant technologies to strengthen your candidacy. 81% of account managers now rank AI-related skills among their top priorities.

The competitive advantage of starting now

Timing matters.

The ecommerce professionals who thrive in 2030 will be those who started building expertise in 2025. Here's why:

AI skills compound. 70% of consumers would use AI agents to purchase flights, and 65% would book hotels through AI. Understanding how to design, implement and optimise these systems now gives you a five-year head start over future competitors.

Platform expertise accumulates. Mastering platforms like BigCommerce, understanding composable commerce, and knowing how to integrate ERPs with ecommerce systems — these capabilities take years to develop. Start now.

Network effects multiply. Every colleague you work with, every project you ship, and every conference you attend builds professional capital that opens doors throughout your career.

Industry knowledge deepens. Worldwide ecommerce sales will grow 8.6% by the end of 2025. Watching this growth firsthand — understanding what works, what fails, and why — creates institutional knowledge that becomes more valuable over time.

The final word

Ecommerce jobs offer something rare: stability in a growing industry with transferable skills that protect your career. 

The $6.42 trillion industry needs professionals at every level. Start with entry-level roles, build your technical and soft skills, and position yourself in an AI-enhanced field where human expertise remains essential.

Your next step? Choose one platform to learn this week. Sign up for a free Shopify or BigCommerce trial, explore Google Analytics, or take a digital marketing course. Small actions compound into career momentum. 

Ready to start? Explore BigCommerce resources.

FAQs about ecommerce jobs

What are the pros and cons of hybrid ecommerce roles compared to fully remote ones?

Hybrid roles offer a balance, combining the flexibility of remote work with the benefits of in-person collaboration.

Pros of hybrid.

• Enhanced collaboration: Face-to-face interactions can foster stronger team bonds, quicker brainstorming, and more effective problem-solving for complex projects.

• Clearer communication: In-person meetings can reduce misunderstandings that sometimes arise from purely text-based or virtual communication.

• Mentorship opportunities: Easier for new employees to learn from experienced colleagues through direct observation and informal interactions.

• Work-life separation: A dedicated office space can help some individuals mentally separate work from home life.

Cons of hybrid.

• Commute time/cost: Requires time and money spent on commuting on designated office days.

• Less location flexibility: While offering some remote days, it still limits where an employee can live compared to a fully remote setup.

• Potential for inequality: If not managed well, remote employees might feel excluded from decisions or informal networking that happens in the office.

Pros of fully remote.

• Maximum flexibility: Employees can work from anywhere, allowing for greater personal freedom and eliminating commute stress.

• Wider talent pool: Companies can hire the best talent regardless of geographic location.

• Cost savings (for employees): No commuting costs, less spent on work attire, and potential for lower living costs by residing in less expensive areas.

Cons of fully remote.

• Isolation: Some individuals may miss social interaction and team camaraderie.

• Communication challenges: Requires deliberate effort to maintain clear communication and ensure everyone feels connected.

• Difficulty separating work/life: The lines between personal and professional life can blur when working from home constantly.

• Technical reliance: Heavily dependant on reliable internet, an appropriate home office setup, and virtual collaboration tools.

How are AI and data-driven insights changing traditional ecommerce job functions?

AI and data are fundamentally transforming nearly every ecommerce role, shifting the focus from manual execution to strategic oversight, analysis and optimisation.

Automation of routine tasks.

AI tools automate repetitive tasks like generating first drafts of product descriptions, basic customer service enquiries (chatbots), initial data compilation, and even some email marketing segmentation. This frees human employees to focus on higher-value activities.

Enhanced personalisation.

AI-driven recommendation engines and data analytics allow for highly personalised shopping experiences, product suggestions and targeted marketing campaigns. Marketers and product managers spend more time analysing customer segments and refining AI models rather than manually segmenting.

Predictive analytics.

Data analysts use AI to forecast demand, predict trends, and identify potential supply chain disruptions, allowing for more proactive decision-making in inventory management and logistics.

Improved customer experience.

AI powers sophisticated chatbots for instant support and sentiment analysis tools that help customer experience managers understand and address customer pain points at scale.

New skill demands.

Jobs increasingly require "AI literacy" – the ability to work with AI tools, prompt them effectively, interpret their outputs, and oversee their performance. Roles like Prompt Engineer are emerging, and even traditional roles now need data interpretation skills.

Strategic focus.

Instead of executing every task manually, professionals are becoming strategists, data interpreters and AI supervisors. A digital marketing manager might focus on refining AI bidding strategies for ads rather than manually adjusting bids.

Are there defined career ladders in ecommerce, or are paths more flexible across departments?

While there are some defined career ladders in specific areas, ecommerce generally offers more flexible and cross-functional career paths compared to many traditional industries.

Defined ladders (within specialities).

You can often find clear progression within specific departments:

• Marketing: Digital Marketing Assistant → Digital Marketing Specialist → Digital / Ecommerce Manager → Marketing Director

• Development: Junior Web Developer → Web Developer → Senior Web Developer → Lead Developer

• Operations: Fulfilment Coordinator → Operations Specialist → Category Manager → Operations Manager → Director of Operations

Cross-functional flexibility.

One of ecommerce's biggest advantages is the ability to pivot between departments. The core skills (data literacy, digital marketing, customer understanding, adaptability) are highly transferable.

• An SEO Content Writer might transition to a Product Listing Specialist, then move into a broader Product Management role

• A Customer Service Representative could leverage their customer insights to become a UX/UI Designer or a Community Manager

• A Data Analyst might move into Marketing Analytics or Supply Chain Optimisation

Emerging roles.

The rapid evolution of ecommerce, especially with AI, means new roles constantly emerge, often blurring traditional departmental lines and creating novel progression opportunities.

Entrepreneurial paths.

Many ecommerce professionals eventually start their own online businesses, leveraging their broad understanding of the ecosystem.

This flexibility makes ecommerce an attractive field for those who enjoy learning new skills and exploring different facets of a business.

What common interview questions should I expect for an ecommerce marketing position?

Ecommerce marketing roles often look for a blend of analytical skills, creativity, technical understanding and results. Here are common questions, categorised by the skills they assess:

Behavioural/experience questions.

1. "Tell me about a successful ecommerce marketing campaign you've managed or contributed to. What was your role, what were the results, and what did you learn?"

2. "Describe a time you used data to make a marketing decision. What was the problem, how did you analyse the data, and what was the outcome?"

3. "How do you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and changes in digital marketing and ecommerce?"

4. "Tell me about a time an ecommerce marketing campaign didn't go as planned. What happened, and how did you adapt?"

5. "How do you prioritise multiple marketing initiatives when faced with tight deadlines and limited resources?"

Technical/skills-based questions.

1. "Explain the difference between SEO and SEM, and how they contribute to an ecommerce strategy."

2. "Which key performance indicators (KPIs) do you consider most important for measuring the success of an ecommerce marketing campaign, and why?"

3. "How would you approach optimising product pages for better conversion rates?"

4. "What experience do you have with [specific marketing tools: Google Analytics, Shopify, a particular email marketing platform, PPC platforms like Google Ads/Facebook Ads]?"

5. "How do you approach A/B testing in your marketing efforts?"

6. "Describe your experience with social commerce. What platforms do you find most effective for product discovery and sales?"

7. "How would you use generative AI tools to assist in an ecommerce marketing strategy?"

Strategic/situational questions.

1. "If you were launching a new product in a competitive niche, what would be your initial marketing strategy?"

2. "How would you segment an email list for a new promotional campaign?"

3. "Our conversion rate on mobile is lower than on desktop. How would you investigate and address this?"

4. "What's your philosophy on customer lifetime value (CLV) and how would you incorporate it into a marketing strategy?"

How can someone transition from retail to an ecommerce role?

Transitioning from traditional retail to ecommerce is a common and highly viable path, as many core skills are transferable. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify transferable skills.

• Customer service: Your experience handling customer enquiries, returns, and complaints is directly applicable to ecommerce customer service, community management, and customer experience roles

• Sales acumen: Understanding customer needs, product features, and closing sales translates to digital marketing, product descriptions, and conversion optimisation

• Inventory management: Experience with stock counts, merchandising, and loss prevention is valuable for product listing specialists, warehouse coordinators, and supply chain roles

• Team leadership: If you managed a team, these leadership, training, and operational skills are relevant for team lead or junior management positions in ecommerce

• Visual merchandising: Your eye for product presentation can be applied to UX/UI design or graphic design for product pages

2. Upskill in digital areas.

• Learn ecommerce platforms: Familiarise yourself with platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce. Many offer free trials and tutorials

• Digital marketing basics: Take online courses (Coursera, Udemy, Google Digital Garage) in SEO, PPC, social media marketing, and email marketing

• Data literacy: Learn the basics of Google Analytics. Understand conversion rates, traffic sources, and customer behaviour metrics

• AI literacy: Explore how AI tools are used in tasks like content generation or customer support

3. Build a digital portfolio/presence.

• Create a mock store: Even a simple online store on Shopify (using a free trial) to demonstrate product listing, basic design, and marketing concepts

• Content creation: Start a blog or social media page where you discuss ecommerce trends, review online stores, or share insights from your retail experience

• LinkedIn profile: Optimise your LinkedIn profile to highlight transferable skills and any new digital competencies. Follow ecommerce stakeholders and companies

4. Network strategically.

• Connect with ecommerce professionals: Use LinkedIn to find and connect with people working in ecommerce

• Attend virtual events: Participate in webinars, online conferences, and industry meetups related to ecommerce

5. Target entry-level roles.

Start by looking for roles like Ecommerce Specialist, Customer Service Representative (for ecommerce), Product Listing Specialist or Digital Marketing Assistant. These leverage your foundational skills while you gain specific ecommerce experience.

Emphasise your retail experience during interviews, explaining how it provides a unique understanding of the customer journey and product lifecycle.

Which ecommerce platforms or tools should job seekers learn?

Learning relevant platforms and tools is crucial for standing out in the ecommerce job market. The best ones to focus on depend on the type of role you're pursuing, but here's a breakdown of essential categories and specific examples:

1. Ecommerce platforms (core store management).

• Shopify: Popular for small to medium-sized businesses due to its entry-level friendliness. 

• BigCommerce: A strong platform, often favoured by growing businesses and those needing more advanced B2B or multi-channel features

• WooCommerce: A free, open-source plugin for WordPress, popular for those already familiar with WordPress. Offers high customisation

• Magento (Adobe Commerce): A powerful, enterprise-level platform for large businesses with complex needs. More technical to learn

Learning a couple of these, especially Shopify or BigCommerce, demonstrates practical platform management skills.

2. Analytics and reporting tools.

• Google Analytics (GA4): Essential for understanding website traffic, user behaviour, conversion rates, and campaign performance. Absolutely critical for any data-driven role

• Google Search Console: For understanding organic search performance, indexing issues, and keyword rankings

• Shopify/BigCommerce Analytics: Familiarise yourself with the built-in analytics dashboards of your chosen platform

3. Digital marketing tools.

• Google Ads: For managing paid search campaigns (PPC)

• Meta Ads Manager (Facebook/Instagram Ads): For managing paid social media advertising

• Email marketing platforms:

  • Klaviyo: Very popular in ecommerce for advanced segmentation and automation

  • Mailchimp: User-friendly for beginners

  • Constant Contact/Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

• SEO Tools: (Familiarity with concepts is key, but tools help)

  • SEMrush / Ahrefs: Industry-standard for keyword research, competitor analysis, and site audits

  • Moz: Another comprehensive SEO tool

4. Customer experience and support tools.

• Live chat software: (e.g., LiveChat, Tidio, Gorgias)

• Help desk software: (e.g., Zendesk, Freshdesk, Gorgias)

• CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software: (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot) – useful for understanding customer journeys and data

5. Design and content tools (for creative roles).

• Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign): Industry standard for graphic design and image editing

• Canva: User-friendly for creating social media graphics and basic marketing materials

• Copywriting/content generation AI tools: (e.g., ChatGPT, Jasper, Copy.ai) – important for prompt engineering and content creation efficiency

6. Project management and collaboration tools.

• Asana, Trello, Monday.com: For task management and team collaboration

• Slack / Microsoft Teams: For internal communication

7. Developer tools (for technical roles).

• HTML, CSS, JavaScript: Foundational web development languages

• Python, Ruby, Java: Popular backend languages for more complex integrations or custom development

• APIs (Application Programming Interfaces): Understanding how different systems connect

• Version control (Git/GitHub): Essential for collaborative coding

General recommendation: Start with Google Analytics and at least one core ecommerce platform. Then, based on your target role, dive deeper into specific marketing, design, or technical tools. Understanding how AI tools integrate with these platforms will be a major advantage.