How to become an e-commerce analyst

Is becoming an e-commerce analyst right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do e-commerce analysts do?

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How to become an E-commerce Analyst

To become an e-commerce analyst, you can follow these general steps:

  • Obtain a Relevant Education: A bachelor's degree in fields such as business administration, marketing, economics, statistics, mathematics, or computer science can provide a strong foundation for a career as an e-commerce analyst. Consider pursuing coursework or certifications related to e-commerce, digital marketing, data analysis, and statistics to gain specialized knowledge and skills.
  • Gain Experience: Seek internships, part-time positions, or entry-level roles in e-commerce, digital marketing, or analytics to gain hands-on experience in the field. Look for opportunities to work with e-commerce platforms, digital marketing campaigns, and data analysis tools to develop practical skills and understanding of e-commerce operations.
  • Develop Analytical Skills: E-commerce analysts need strong analytical skills to interpret data, identify trends, and derive actionable insights. Practice working with data analysis tools such as Microsoft Excel, Google Analytics, SQL, Python, or R to analyze e-commerce data and generate reports.
  • Learn E-commerce Platforms: Familiarize yourself with popular e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Magento, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce. Understand how these platforms function, including product catalog management, order processing, payment gateways, and customer relationship management (CRM) features.
  • Stay Updated on Industry Trends: Keep abreast of developments in the e-commerce industry, including emerging technologies, consumer behavior trends, and market dynamics. Follow industry publications, blogs, and forums, and consider joining professional associations or networking groups related to e-commerce and digital marketing.
  • Showcase Your Skills: Build a strong resume and online professional presence highlighting your education, experience, and relevant skills. Create a portfolio showcasing your data analysis projects, reports, and insights related to e-commerce, and consider obtaining certifications or completing additional coursework to demonstrate your expertise.
  • Apply for Jobs: Search for e-commerce analyst positions on job boards, company websites, and professional networking sites. Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant skills and experiences, and prepare for interviews by practicing common interview questions and showcasing your analytical abilities.

Certifications
There are several certifications that can help e-commerce analysts enhance their skills and credibility in the field:

  • Google Analytics Individual Qualification (GAIQ): This certification demonstrates proficiency in using Google Analytics to analyze website traffic and performance, track e-commerce metrics, and generate insights to optimize online marketing campaigns.
  • HubSpot E-commerce Marketing Certification: Offered by HubSpot, this certification covers topics such as e-commerce strategy, inbound marketing, content marketing, and email marketing specific to e-commerce businesses.
  • Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) E-commerce Specialist Certification: This certification program covers essential e-commerce concepts, strategies, and techniques, including online marketplaces, digital storefronts, payment processing, and customer experience optimization.
  • SAS Certified Big Data Professional: This certification validates skills in analyzing large datasets, extracting insights, and making data-driven decisions using SAS software, which is commonly used in e-commerce analytics.
  • Microsoft Certified: Data Analyst Associate: Offered by Microsoft, this certification demonstrates proficiency in data analysis, visualization, and reporting using Microsoft Power BI, SQL Server, and Excel, which are valuable tools for e-commerce analysts.
  • Certified Analytics Professional (CAP): While not specific to e-commerce, the CAP certification is widely recognized in the field of analytics and demonstrates expertise in analytics concepts, methodologies, and tools, which are applicable to e-commerce analytics.
  • E-commerce University by Shopify: Shopify offers a variety of free and paid courses through their E-commerce University platform, covering topics such as e-commerce analytics, conversion optimization, and online store management.