Online Merchants
High68.87%
Found in Industries:
Salary Range
Low (10th %)$44,370
Median$79,590
High (90th %)$140,300
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Conduct retail activities of businesses operating exclusively online. May perform duties such as preparing business strategies, buying merchandise, managing inventory, implementing marketing activities, fulfilling and shipping online orders, and balancing financial records.
The automation risk for the occupation "Online Merchants" is currently estimated at 68.9%, which is marginally below the base risk of 69.9%. This high risk reflects the nature of many tasks within the role that are repetitive, rules-based, and suitable for delegation to machines or software. For instance, one of the top automatable tasks involves filling customer orders, which includes packaging items and handling documentation for shipping or transferring to third parties. Processes such as order fulfillment and payment processing are already seeing widespread automation through electronic transaction services and logistics platforms. Similarly, creating, managing, or automating orders and invoices through software is a standard practice, given the reliability and efficiency benefits offered by automation in these areas. However, not all elements of the online merchant’s work are equally susceptible to automation. Among the most automation-resistant tasks are those requiring a degree of creativity, judgement, or nuanced human interaction. Developing offline promotional material such as brochures and signage demands a creative touch and adaptability to specific marketing contexts—skills not easily replicated by machines. Integrating online retailing strategies with physical or catalogue retailing operations also requires strategic decision-making and coordination across various channels. Additionally, staying current with online retailing trends by participating in forums or conferences involves not just knowledge acquisition but active engagement, networking, and critical thinking, making it less amenable to automation. The bottleneck skills that secure parts of this occupation from automation are primarily centered around originality, with skill levels measured at 2.8% and 2.9%. These low percentages highlight the limited amount of the job that depends on truly creative tasks—not enough to drastically reduce the overall automation risk, but significant in protecting certain aspects of the role. Originality is especially important in tasks involving marketing materials and strategy, where personalized and innovative approaches make a notable difference in business outcomes. As long as online merchants are responsible for brand voice, unique promotional efforts, and strategic integration across sales channels, complete automation will be difficult to achieve. Thus, while large segments of the job can be automated, those components rooted in creative and strategic thinking remain essential human domains for the foreseeable future.
Filter by Automatable Status
Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.
Partially Automatable
Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.
Automatable
Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.
Automatable
Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.
Automatable
Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.
Partially Automatable
Determine and set product prices.
Partially Automatable
Calculate purchase subtotals, taxes, and shipping costs for submission to customers.
Automatable
Compose descriptions of merchandise for posting to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.
Automatable
Compose images of products, using video or still cameras, lighting equipment, props, or photo or video editing software.
Partially Automatable
Upload digital media, such as photos, video, or scanned images to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.
Automatable
Calculate revenue, sales, and expenses, using financial accounting or spreadsheet software.
Automatable
Cancel orders based on customer requests or inventory or delivery problems.
Automatable
Prepare or organize online storefront marketing material, including product descriptions or subject lines, optimizing content to search engine criteria.
Automatable
Order or purchase merchandise to maintain optimal inventory levels.
Automatable
Determine location for product listings to maximize exposure to online traffic.
Partially Automatable
Create or maintain database of customer accounts.
Automatable
Promote products in online communities through weblog or discussion-forum postings, e-mail marketing programs, or online advertising.
Partially Automatable
Collaborate with search engine shopping specialists to place marketing content in desired online locations.
Partially Automatable
Maintain inventory of shipping supplies, such as boxes, labels, tape, bubble wrap, loose packing materials, or tape guns.
Partially Automatable
Measure and analyze Web site usage data to maximize search engine returns or refine customer interfaces.
Partially Automatable
Develop or revise business plans for online business, emphasizing factors such as product line, pricing, inventory, or marketing strategy.
Partially Automatable
Disclose merchant information and terms and policies of transactions in online or offline materials.
Automatable
Design customer interface of online storefront, using web programming or e-commerce software.
Partially Automatable
Select and purchase technical web services, such as web hosting services, online merchant accounts, shopping cart software, payment gateway software, or spyware.
Partially Automatable
Transfer digital media, such as music, video, or software, to customers via the Internet.
Automatable
Devise, select, or purchase domain name and web address.
Partially Automatable
Initiate online auctions through auction hosting sites or auction management software.
Automatable
Investigate sources, such as auctions, estate sales, liquidators, wholesalers, or trade shows for new items, used items, or collectibles.
Partially Automatable
Participate in online forums or conferences to stay abreast of online retailing trends, techniques, or security threats.
Partially Automatable
Integrate online retailing strategy with physical or catalogue retailing operations.
Partially Automatable
Implement security practices to preserve assets, minimize liabilities, or ensure customer privacy, using parallel servers, hardware redundancy, fail-safe technology, information encryption, or firewalls.
Partially Automatable
Create or distribute offline promotional material, such as brochures, pamphlets, business cards, stationary, or signage.
Partially Automatable
Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.
Partially Automatable
Investigate products or markets to determine areas for opportunity or viability for merchandising specific products, using online or offline sources.
Partially Automatable
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningLearning StrategiesMonitoringComplex Problem SolvingOperations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceSystems AnalysisManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingSpeakingMathematicsScienceCritical ThinkingActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessCoordinationPersuasionNegotiationInstructingService OrientationOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignEquipment SelectionInstallationProgrammingOperation and ControlTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingSystems EvaluationTime ManagementManagement of Financial ResourcesManagement of Material Resources
Arm-Hand SteadinessAuditory AttentionCategory FlexibilityControl PrecisionDeductive ReasoningDepth PerceptionDynamic FlexibilityDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthExtent FlexibilityFar VisionFinger DexterityFlexibility of ClosureFluency of IdeasGlare SensitivityGross Body CoordinationGross Body EquilibriumHearing SensitivityInductive ReasoningInformation OrderingManual DexterityMathematical ReasoningMemorizationMultilimb CoordinationNear VisionNight VisionNumber FacilityOral ComprehensionOral ExpressionOriginalityPerceptual SpeedPeripheral VisionProblem SensitivityRate ControlReaction TimeResponse OrientationSelective AttentionSound LocalizationSpatial OrientationSpeech ClaritySpeech RecognitionSpeed of ClosureSpeed of Limb MovementStaminaStatic StrengthTime SharingTrunk StrengthVisual Color DiscriminationVisualizationWrist-Finger SpeedWritten ComprehensionWritten Expression
AdministrativeEconomics and AccountingSales and MarketingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesProduction and ProcessingFood ProductionComputers and ElectronicsEngineering and TechnologyDesignMechanicalMathematicsPhysicsChemistryForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyBiologyPsychologySociology and AnthropologyGeographyMedicine and DentistryFine ArtsPhilosophy and TheologyLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsEnglish LanguageEducation and TrainingTransportationTherapy and CounselingPublic Safety and SecurityCommunications and MediaAdministration and ManagementBuilding and Construction
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsGetting InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsAnalyzing Data or InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeHandling and Moving ObjectsControlling Machines and ProcessesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentWorking with ComputersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersSelling or Influencing OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming General Physical Activities
Microsoft DynamicsFacebookApple macOSGoogle AdsGoogle AnalyticsIBM DominoIBM InfoSphere DataStageAdobe DreamweaverDrupalInventory tracking softwareApache SolrJamBoardLAMP StackC#Enterprise JavaBeansIBM WebSphereLinuxIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft .NET FrameworkFinancial accounting softwareAJAXApache StrutsjQueryBing AdsIBM Digital AnalyticsBing for Power BIBlogging softwareCCBillGoogle CheckoutMagento AnalyticsMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WordPHPWeb browser softwareStructured query language SQLNetSuite ERPTax softwareYouTubeTwitterWordPressMySQLOracle JavaServer Pages JSPMicrosoft Visual StudioOracle JavaScreencast-O-MaticMobile application softwareMyCommerce RegNowPayPalProPay payment processing softwareSearch engine optimization SEO softwareShipment processing softwareShopify softwareSnorasson Holdings CCNowSquareMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WindowsAdobe PhotoshopFacebookApple macOSAdobe DreamweaverDrupalApache SolrC#Enterprise JavaBeansDynamic hypertext markup language DHTMLAJAXApache StrutsBing for Power BIBlogging softwareCCBillContent management systems CMSe-check softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft WordPHPWeb browser softwareGoogle AdsGoogle AnalyticsIBM DominoMicrosoft AccessStructured query language SQLMicrosoft SQL ServerMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WindowsNetSuite ERPTax softwareYouTubeInventory tracking softwareJavaScriptTwitterWebtrends softwareWordPressJamBoardMySQLHypertext markup language HTMLIBM WebSphereMicrosoft DynamicsLinuxMicrosoft .NET FrameworkMicrosoft Visual StudioOracle JavaFinancial accounting softwareScreencast-O-MaticjQueryGoogle CheckoutMagento AnalyticsMyCommerce RegNowPayPalSearch engine optimization SEO softwareShipment processing softwareShopify softwareSnorasson Holdings CCNowSquareIntuit QuickBoooks PaymentsPayPal ZettleSearch engine marketing SEM softwareExtensible hypertext markup language XHTMLExtensible markup language XMLMicrosoft AccessRelational database management softwareRelational database management softwareAdobe PhotoshopMicrosoft SQL ServerHypertext markup language HTMLJavaScriptWebtrends softwareDynamic hypertext markup language DHTMLLAMP StackBing AdsIBM Digital AnalyticsMobile application softwareProPay payment processing softwareContent management systems CMSe-check softwareIntuit QuickBoooks PaymentsPayPal ZettleSearch engine marketing SEM softwareSearch engine results pages SERP softwareSearch engine results pages SERP softwareIBM InfoSphere DataStageExtensible hypertext markup language XHTMLOracle JavaServer Pages JSPExtensible markup language XMLIntuit QuickBooksMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPoint
Advertising and Promotions Managers
Medium42.51%
Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.
Marketing Managers
Medium51.50%
Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.
Sales Managers
Medium40.40%
Plan, direct, or coordinate the actual distribution or movement of a product or service to the customer. Coordinate sales distribution by establishing sales territories, quotas, and goals and establish training programs for sales representatives. Analyze sales statistics gathered by staff to determine sales potential and inventory requirements and monitor the preferences of customers.
Purchasing Managers
Medium51.82%
Plan, direct, or coordinate the activities of buyers, purchasing officers, and related workers involved in purchasing materials, products, and services. Includes wholesale or retail trade merchandising managers and procurement managers.
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
Medium55.39%
Buy merchandise or commodities, other than farm products, for resale to consumers at the wholesale or retail level, including both durable and nondurable goods. Analyze past buying trends, sales records, price, and quality of merchandise to determine value and yield. Select, order, and authorize payment for merchandise according to contractual agreements. May conduct meetings with sales personnel and introduce new products. May negotiate contracts. Includes assistant wholesale and retail buyers of nonfarm products.
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
Medium49.25%
Purchase machinery, equipment, tools, parts, supplies, or services necessary for the operation of an establishment. Purchase raw or semifinished materials for manufacturing. May negotiate contracts.
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Medium47.26%
Research conditions in local, regional, national, or online markets. Gather information to determine potential sales of a product or service, or plan a marketing or advertising campaign. May gather information on competitors, prices, sales, and methods of marketing and distribution. May employ search marketing tactics, analyze web metrics, and develop recommendations to increase search engine ranking and visibility to target markets.
Search Marketing Strategists
Medium53.88%
Employ search marketing tactics to increase visibility and engagement with content, products, or services in Internet-enabled devices or interfaces. Examine search query behaviors on general or specialty search engines or other Internet-based content. Analyze research, data, or technology to understand user intent and measure outcomes for ongoing optimization.
Business Intelligence Analysts
Medium52.10%
Produce financial and market intelligence by querying data repositories and generating periodic reports. Devise methods for identifying data patterns and trends in available information sources.
Counter and Rental Clerks
High72.64%
Receive orders, generally in person, for repairs, rentals, and services. May describe available options, compute cost, and accept payment.
Retail Salespersons
Medium52.39%
Sell merchandise, such as furniture, motor vehicles, appliances, or apparel to consumers.
Advertising Sales Agents
Medium59.01%
Sell or solicit advertising space, time, or media in publications, signage, TV, radio, or Internet establishments or public spaces.
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
High72.23%
Buy and sell securities or commodities in investment and trading firms, or provide financial services to businesses and individuals. May advise customers about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, and market conditions.
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
Medium63.33%
Sell services to individuals or businesses. May describe options or resolve client problems.
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
Medium58.11%
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers where technical or scientific knowledge is required in such areas as biology, engineering, chemistry, and electronics, normally obtained from at least 2 years of postsecondary education.
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Medium64.30%
Sell goods for wholesalers or manufacturers to businesses or groups of individuals. Work requires substantial knowledge of items sold.
Telemarketers
High78.30%
Solicit donations or orders for goods or services over the telephone.
Brokerage Clerks
High79.00%
Perform duties related to the purchase, sale, or holding of securities. Duties include writing orders for stock purchases or sales, computing transfer taxes, verifying stock transactions, accepting and delivering securities, tracking stock price fluctuations, computing equity, distributing dividends, and keeping records of daily transactions and holdings.
Customer Service Representatives
High68.30%
Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.
Order Clerks
High80.71%
Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Generally receives orders via mail, phone, fax, or other electronic means. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.