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7 Critical Skills needed To Run an E-commerce Business Successfully

The term “e-commerce” is used to describe transactions conducted over the internet. Many interact with e-commerce businesses on a daily basis either by purchasing physical goods, digital goods, or subscribing to online services.

Some example of e-commerce businesses include:

  • Shutterstock – A website that allows businesses and individuals to buy high stock quality images for personal or commercial use.
  • 99 Designs – a website that allows you to purchase design services over the internet. Logo and web designs are examples of these design services.
  • Jumia – A pan-African e-commerce platform/website, that allows you to purchase goods and services.
  • Amazon – World’s largest ecommerce portal for everything you could ever think of in your home and offices.

E-commerce businesses can either operate purely online such as that of Jumia, which do not have physical stores, allow shoppers to buy their goods online, and have them delivered. There are numerous benefits of running an e-commerce business. With so many areas of operation to manage at once while running an e-commerce platform, There are some specific critical skills that e-commerce business owners need to develop in order to be successful. They include;

Critical Skills For Running a Successful E-Commerce Business7 Critical Skills For Running a Successful E-Commerce Business

1. Critical Thinking

Being able to think critically is essential for running an e-commerce operation. Successful e-commerce business owners can look at all of the different elements and decide how to act in order to meet business and customer needs.

2. Problem-Solving skills

As an e-commerce business owner, you need to have the ability to solve problems quickly and efficiently, with an impact on everyday operations. You’ll need to do this using creativity to find innovative new ways to do things. You will also need to be resourceful. If you can look beyond your own available skills and materials then you’ll be able to find new ways to approach challenges and meet your business goals.

3. Leadership

There is a need for strong leadership skills to drive the success of your business. This involves being able to effectively motivate your team and to improve their productivity, communicate clearly with your suppliers and customers, and make important leadership decisions.

4. Emotional Intelligence

This deals with the ability to understand that the people you interact with, both in person and in the online world, are humans with feelings. Emotional intelligence allows you to apply empathy, listen to others, and think about your response before you speak or act. This critical skill helps you to boost your employee retention, improve productivity and also increase profitability.

5. Communication

An e-commerce business owner is likely to always interact with customers via e-mail or social media. Having a strong written communication skill is necessary in order for you to excel in the online space. Occasionally, you could write a personalized email to specially greet and appreciate your customers. You could as well offer them a special discount code for their next purchase – this helps build trust and confidence in your customers.

6. Perseverance

This can be defined as an act of self-control, and having the attributes needed to stick, despite failures and set back, is of high importance. There are many situations in running an online shopping business that requires perseverance and grit to achieve success. They range from technology malfunctions to Google changing its search engine optimization practices and driving traffic to your site. Being able to persevere despite these setbacks will carry you through to eventual success.

7. Continuous learning

Show me a man who has achieved virtually, if not, everything in his life, and I will show you a man who had sold himself to consistent personal development. As a business owner, you must study continuously, around your schedule, with a flexible online delivery that allows you to complete a specific course via e-learning at a specific time.

I strongly believe these critical skills will set you up for success if you are operating an online commerce portal, but it doesn’t stop there. Just like I’ve said earlier on, consistent personal development will help you to grow more in strength and wisdom of improving your business on a regular basis.

If you have additional critical skills for entrepreneurs to get ahead in their chosen career, please share them below.

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