How to hire an online retailer

How to hire an online retailer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step online retailer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an online retailer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new online retailer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your online retailer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find an online retailer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An online retailer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, online retailers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of online retailers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Online Retailer	Description	Hourly rate
   Online Retailer		$22-50
   E-Commerce Merchant	Selling online is thriving as people are getting more knowledgeable of the works of the internet. E-commerce merchants are one of the many who use the internet for their business... Show more	$6-37

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Photography
   • Market Research
   • Ebay Store
   • Retail Business
   • Product Description
   • Search Engine Optimization
   • Web Design
   • Customer Orders
   • Customer Inquiries
   • Retail Store
   • E-Commerce
   • Product Research
   • Facebook

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and report KPIs to senior-level management to provide update on delivery against goals.
   • Manage online marketing collateral including AdWords, email, banner creative, blogs, twitter, etc.
   • Assist with packaging and shipping products to both national and international customers and suppliers / manufacturers.
   • Maintain good relationships with manufacturers and suppliers.
   • Create e-commerce website by using Shopify platform.
   • Ship items via USPS daily and follow up with shipment tracking.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your online retailer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An online retailer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, online retailers' average salary in hawaii is 38% less than in pennsylvania.
   • Seniority. Entry-level online retailers 55% less than senior-level online retailers.
   • Certifications. An online retailer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an online retailer's salary.

   Average online retailer salary

   $70,921yearly

   $34.10 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level online retailer salary

   $47,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

4. Writing an online retailer job description

   A good online retailer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of an online retailer job description:

   Online retailer job description example

   Allied Universal , North America's leading security and facility services company, provides rewarding careers that give you a sense of purpose. While working in a dynamic, diverse and inclusive workplace, you will be part of a team that fuels a culture that will reflect in our communities and customers we serve. We offer medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, 401K, employee assistance programs, company discounts, perks and more for all full-time positions!
   $18 / hourly
   
   As a Retail Security Officer, you will serve and safeguard clients in a range of industries such as Commercial Real Estate, Healthcare, Education, Government and more.
   
   Responsibilities:
   
   * Provide customer service to our clients by carrying out safety and security procedures, site-specific policies and when appropriate, emergency response activities
   * Respond to incidents and critical situations in a calm, problem solving manner
   * Conduct regular and random patrols around the business and perimeter. Working environments and conditions may vary by client site.
   
   Minimum Requirements:
   
   * Be at least 18 years of age for unarmed roles; 21+ years of age for armed roles
   * Possess a high school diploma or equivalent, or 5 years of verifiable experience
   * As a condition of employment, applicants will be subject to a background investigation in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Allied Universal will consider qualified applications with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable laws.
   * As a condition of employment, applicants will be subject to a drug screen to the extent permitted by law.
   * Licensing requirements are subject to state and/or local laws and regulations and may be required prior to employment.
   * A valid driver's license will be required for driving positions only
   
   Perks and Benefits:
   
   * Health insurance and 401k plans for full-time positions
   * Flexible part time and full-time schedules that fit with your personal life goals
   * Ongoing paid training programs and career growth opportunities
   * Employee discounts through our perks program to your favorite restaurants, entertainment venues and much more…
   
   Allied Universal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or relationship/association with a protected veteran, or any other basis or characteristic protected by law. For more information: www.aus.com
   
   If you have any questions regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion, have difficulty using the online system and require an alternate method to apply, or require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment and/or employment process, please contact our local Human Resources department. To find an office near you, please visit: www.aus.com/offices.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right online retailer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your online retailer job on Zippia to find and recruit online retailer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting online retailers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new online retailer

   Once you've found the online retailer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new online retailer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an online retailer?