15 Rules to Follow to Become an Ecommerce Expert and Be Successful

Justin Woll Ecommerce Expert

SEO Expert. Web Expert. Marketing Expert. Sales Expert. The term “expert” is thrown around so much that it almost tends to lose its meaning.

Although when it comes to opening an online store, you truly need to be an eCommerce expert.

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines expert as “one with the special skill or knowledge representing mastery of a particular subject.”

To run a successful eCommerce store, you need to have a mastery of everything eCommerce, from marketing to understanding fulfillment. While it’s common for eCommerce entrepreneurs to outsource work or delegate tasks to hired specialists when you own your own business, you at least need to have a working understanding of everything. Not only will that make it so you don’t have to rely on this outside support, but also it transforms you into a more independent business owner.

So let’s wait no further and dive into the top 15 rules to follow for becoming an eCommerce expert.

Learning the skills to become an Ecommerce Expert

1 Think like a customer

To be an eCommerce expert in selling products, you need to understand the customer you’re trying to reach. What do YOU as the customer want to buy? HOW do you want to buy it? What’s going to make you want this product? Your customers are your bread and butter that will make your business succeed or flop. Center it around them! 

2 Map out a customer’s journey

Once you’ve started to embody who your ideal customer is and know what they want, you need to understand their journey. What steps do they take from seeing your product in advertising to the email they receive after the purchase? This will help you know how to cater to them along the way and what potential pain points or snags they will hit.

Learning how to become an SEO Expert

3 Learn SEO

SEO or Search Engine Optimization is how your advertising will get found. You can have the most beautiful and efficient website in the world, but if no one sees it, what’s the point? As an eCommerce expert, having at least a basic understanding of SEO will play out through advertising, product descriptions, website content, all of it!

4 Build on your email marketing strategy

With all that social media brings to the marketing table, some may consider email marketing a thing of the past. However, email marketing still stands as one of the highest ROI (Return on Investment) forms of advertising! Strong email marketing not only helps to increase leads but also is excellent for maintaining high retention rates.

5 Understand how to utilize analytics

A smart eCommerce expert knows that testing and numbers are everything. What’s the use of throwing thousands of dollars into Facebook ads that aren’t converting into sales? Using the different analyzing tools such as Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, open email rates, and Instagram Insights (just to name a few!) can give you crucial data as to if campaigns are working or not. This is important for testing because if one strategy doesn’t work, time to try another one!

Checking ecommerce sales from your mobile

6 Pick up some basic marketing and sales

At the root of your flashy eCommerce website and products are sales. While you don’t need to be an expert in this area by any means, it’s good to have a working knowledge of the basics. You will want to understand margins and conversions to ensure your business is profitable and how to get your product off the {virtual} shelves, at least in the beginning.

Ecommerce store main page

7 Improve your website technical skills

eCommerce is also known as electronic commerce, i.e., everything is done electronically. A website is essentially your storefront. There are plenty of eCommerce platforms that make it easy to set up an online store such as Woocommerce and Shopify, just to name a few. While it’s relatively easy to find a web designer who can build you an excellent website, as an eCommerce expert, it’s essential to have at least a basic understanding of how it works.

8 Work on your copywriting abilities

How quickly can you sell your product to someone? In 100 words or less? Is it catchy? Does it draw in emotion?

eCommerce copywriting is unique in style and perspective, but who better to write descriptions of products they are trying to build a business from? YOU, YOU ECOMMERCE EXPERT!

While this task can also be outsourced, not being completely clueless about writing about your products and business will benefit you in the long run.

Ecommerce stock ready to be shipped

9 Understand distribution networks

It’s one thing to know what you want to sell and how you will obtain it, but do you have a firm grasp of how it’s getting to your customers? Understanding the distribution networks completes the circle of your full knowledge of your customer’s journey.

Plus, if someone says they never got your product, you’ll know exactly where to start!

10 Emphasize your eCommerce product research

Any eCommerce expert can attest, product research is key to running a profitable online store. It’s not just about knowing what you want to sell but also understanding if there’s a demand, whether the product is trending, etc. eCommerce product research is the backbone to selling successfully.

11 Talk with a real eCommerce expert

This may be through finding a good eCommerce mentor or merely asking to chat with an eCommerce business owner who you admire. Either way, knowledge is power, and talking with someone who has already found success in the eCommerce industry is always a great resource.

12 Stay relevant

In the world of online marketing and eCommerce, every day is a new day. The algorithms are constantly changing, trends move on, technology advances, etc. To be a real eCommerce expert, you need to stay updated on what the situation is every day.

For example, if your store still doesn’t have its own Facebook page, it’s DEFINITELY time to catch up with the rest of the world.

13 Enroll in an eCommerce course

This rule should be a given. An eCommerce course provides a strong base to launch your eCommerce business off of. While many of these courses come with high price tags, the invaluable information that comes from them is part of your investment in yourself and your business.

Many eCommerce courses come filled with information and tools to get you started on the right foot in your eCommerce journey so that you aren’t wasting time trying to catch up. Plus, these courses are typically led by an experienced eCommerce expert who has already gone through every step that you’re facing and can provide their personal experience in support.

14 Have patience

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and you aren’t going to make six figures overnight, let’s be real. You also aren’t going to become an eCommerce expert on your second day on the job. It’s a process that will take determination, effort, and time. Many entrepreneurs fall victim to losing their patience in the first year and thus ending their eCommerce dreams. 

Let’s be honest, though, eCommerce isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t ready to put in the hours and work that it takes to run a successful online store, then we are so sorry you’ve read this blog this far, but we hope it was educational, at least! 

Although if you’ve made it this far learning what it takes to become an eCommerce expert, we think you are in it for the long run.

15 Don’t just stop at one sale

Your first sale will be one to remember. The first time that you see a profit is a whole exciting next step! Though don’t just stop there.

Many business owners lose crucial sales because they don’t work to retain returning customers. If you only focus on getting one sale out of every customer and then stop there, you will ultimately quickly run out of leads. 

Instead, focus on the retention aspect of your business almost just as much as the lead conversions. If you have enough products to intrigue more sales from the same customer, in the end, you will build a fanbase that will continue providing sales for years to come!

Receiving your ecommerce purchase

Conclusion

It takes time, practice, and experience to become an eCommerce expert. As with many things in life, nothing comes easy – especially not opening your first online store.

Though if you have the grit and determination, you will 100% find success in the eCommerce industry and have a profitable business for years to come. Even more so if you follow some of these fifteen rules to guide you!

When you are ready to become a real eCommerce expert, enrolling in Justin Woll’s BeyondSixFigures 6-Month Mastermind Experience is one of the most substantial steps you can take. Through lessons, videos, and mentorship, he shares a wealth of knowledge for his students to launch and maintain successful eCommerce businesses.

What’s holding you back from finding professional success as an eCommerce expert?

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