An e-commerce manager is an indispensable profile for achieving online sales goals and continuing to grow. But how do you recognize a good e-commerce manager? We researched it and present you with the 7 must-have skills of an e-commerce manager.
Determining the skills of an e-commerce manager is not simple. Moreover, the job description varies from company to company. It is nowhere clearly defined. In some companies, this person is responsible for organizing and developing marketing plans for websites and leading a digital marketing team. In other companies, he/she is responsible for all digital campaigns and partnerships. Additionally, the e-commerce department often falls under marketing, as you can infer from the tasks mentioned above.
However, we notice that these profiles, regardless of their specific role, have a lot in common. We researched what the ideal skills of an e-commerce manager are:
1. Commercial and sales driven
Almost all good e-commerce managers we spoke to possess one common trait: they all work hard to achieve more online sales. Being commercial is therefore an indispensable trait for this profile. Rightly so, because achieving online revenue is generally important for the stakeholders of the webshop. By creating more revenue through this online channel, stakeholders wish to recoup their investments in the (long) term and help the entire company grow.
2. Broad knowledge
Thorough knowledge in various online channels, IT, and sales is important. These skills help to determine the right strategy and to adjust it where necessary. Knowledge can be acquired through books, workshops, and seminars. Experience also plays a major role in having the necessary knowledge. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of implementation or channel must be known. An e-commerce manager with broad knowledge can make or break a project. Generally, you are not looking for a specialist in one area, but a generalist who knows a bit about all related domains and can thus lead your team and take appropriate actions.
3. Eager to learn
Interest in e-commerce: that’s what it’s all about. The passion must be there to learn everything about achieving business goals, such as increasing online revenue, and discovering the latest digital opportunities. Moreover, there must also be curiosity to try new things. Lifelong learning is a certainty in the world of e-commerce sales.
4. Leadership
An e-commerce manager leads a team of various talents. Additionally, he/she has insight into which digital profiles are actually needed to get the work done. This way, an e-commerce manager knows exactly what to look for in a SEA specialist or a copywriter. There is sufficient knowledge to make these talents work together and achieve the best results.
5. Visionary
As a good leader, an e-commerce manager must help outline and radiate the vision of the online activities to the team and the organization. An e-commerce manager is a visionary with a mission who knows how to execute a digital transformation. This person navigates the company, its e-commerce, and team through the changing digital landscape.
6. Digital strategist
A digital strategy is important to succeed in e-commerce. The online world can be very competitive. Some competitors go far by starting a price war, setting up ads with their own brand, spamming, or even reporting your website to an authorized body after discovering (legal) errors.
7. Communicative
A master in communication. Whether it’s explaining the latest e-commerce results to stakeholders or telling a team which campaigns are good and bad; an e-commerce manager can explain everything clearly. Communication is also important to get all digital solutions as expected. This way, he/she can talk smoothly with IT professionals, stakeholders, and online marketers to achieve the desired results. Communication is always important. Clear. Precise. In the right context. Only in this way can any team work well. So can your e-commerce team.
