We surveyed 1,444 online merchants to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical online merchant. Here are the results.

How much intelligence is required as an online merchant?

Low

High

Working as an online merchant typically doesn’t require the use of high levels of intelligence in daily tasks.

Can I learn to become an online merchant?

Intrinsic Talent

Acquired Talent

A career as an online merchant typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.

Is it easy to get a job as an online merchant?

Easy

Hard

It’s typically difficult to find a job as an online merchant. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for online merchants.

Info

Do online merchants work full-time or part-time?

55% of online merchants work in full-time roles while 45% work part-time.

Is being an online merchant stressful?

Low

High

Online merchants tend not to find their jobs stressful, which likely contributes positively to career satisfaction.

Is being organized important as an online merchant?

Low

High

Organization is not considered a particuarly important part of being an online merchant.

How competitive is the workplace for online merchants?

Low

High

Online merchants see mild competition in their workplace.

Does being an online merchant require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?

Low

High

Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for online merchants.

Are online merchants allowed to express themselves creatively?

Low

High

Online merchants are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.

Do online merchants have control over the direction of their work?

Low

High

Online merchants have high flexibility in the direction of their work, allowing them a lot of freedom in how they accomplish their goals.

Is being an online merchant physically demanding?

Low

High

Work as an online merchants is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.

Are online merchants exposed to a wide variety of work?

Low

High

While sometimes repetitive, online merchants tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.

Does being an online merchant require attention to detail?

Low

High

Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as an online merchant.

Does being a good online merchant require compassion and empathy?

Low

High

The ability to be compassion and empathetic isn't considered fundamental to success as an online merchant.