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13-1199.06 · Task explorer

Online Merchants: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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.

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This source lists 34 tasks, including 24 marked Core and 10 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 07/2014.

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34 tasks shown

Core · Task 15718 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Fill customer orders by packaging sold items and documentation for direct shipping or by transferring orders to manufacturers or third-party distributors.

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Core · Task 15731 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Receive and process payments from customers, using electronic transaction services.

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Core · Task 15710 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Create, manage, or automate orders or invoices, using order management or invoicing software.

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Core · Task 15709 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Deliver e-mail confirmation of completed transactions and shipment.

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Core · Task 15728 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Correspond with online customers via electronic mail, telephone, or other electronic messaging to address questions or complaints about products, policies, or shipping methods.

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Core · Task 15733 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Purchase new or used items from online or physical sources for resale via retail or auction Web site.

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Core · Task 15707 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Determine and set product prices.

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Core · Task 15730 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Calculate purchase subtotals, taxes, and shipping costs for submission to customers.

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Core · Task 15734 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Compose descriptions of merchandise for posting to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.

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Core · Task 15729 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Compose images of products, using video or still cameras, lighting equipment, props, or photo or video editing software.

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Core · Task 15703 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Upload digital media, such as photos, video, or scanned images to online storefront, auction sites, or other shopping Web sites.

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Core · Task 15735 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Calculate revenue, sales, and expenses, using financial accounting or spreadsheet software.

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Core · Task 15714 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Cancel orders based on customer requests or inventory or delivery problems.

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Core · Task 15732 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Prepare or organize online storefront marketing material, including product descriptions or subject lines, optimizing content to search engine criteria.

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Core · Task 15704 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Order or purchase merchandise to maintain optimal inventory levels.

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Core · Task 15726 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Determine location for product listings to maximize exposure to online traffic.

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Core · Task 15711 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Create or maintain database of customer accounts.

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Core · Task 15717 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Promote products in online communities through weblog or discussion-forum postings, e-mail marketing programs, or online advertising.

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Core · Task 15713 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Collaborate with search engine shopping specialists to place marketing content in desired online locations.

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Core · Task 15721 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Investigate products or markets to determine areas for opportunity or viability for merchandising specific products, using online or offline sources.

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Core · Task 15705 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Maintain inventory of shipping supplies, such as boxes, labels, tape, bubble wrap, loose packing materials, or tape guns.

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Core · Task 15719 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Measure and analyze Web site usage data to maximize search engine returns or refine customer interfaces.

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Core · Task 15725 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Develop or revise business plans for online business, emphasizing factors such as product line, pricing, inventory, or marketing strategy.

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Core · Task 15708 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Disclose merchant information and terms and policies of transactions in online or offline materials.

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Supplemental · Task 15727 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Design customer interface of online storefront, using web programming or e-commerce software.

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Supplemental · Task 15716 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Select and purchase technical web services, such as web hosting services, online merchant accounts, shopping cart software, payment gateway software, or spyware.

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Supplemental · Task 15715 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Transfer digital media, such as music, video, or software, to customers via the Internet.

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Supplemental · Task 15724 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Devise, select, or purchase domain name and web address.

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Supplemental · Task 15722 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Initiate online auctions through auction hosting sites or auction management software.

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Supplemental · Task 15723 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Implement security practices to preserve assets, minimize liabilities, or ensure customer privacy, using parallel servers, hardware redundancy, fail-safe technology, information encryption, or firewalls.

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Supplemental · Task 15720 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Investigate sources, such as auctions, estate sales, liquidators, wholesalers, or trade shows for new items, used items, or collectibles.

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Supplemental · Task 15702 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Participate in online forums or conferences to stay abreast of online retailing trends, techniques, or security threats.

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Supplemental · Task 15706 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Integrate online retailing strategy with physical or catalogue retailing operations.

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Supplemental · Task 15712 · 07/2014 · Incumbent

Create or distribute offline promotional material, such as brochures, pamphlets, business cards, stationary, or signage.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.