Internet Sales Coordinator: Essential Information
Internet sales coordinators help direct customer traffic for online sales and marketing, and provide customer service. Sales coordinator qualifications vary; however, most employers prefer applicants who have completed high school. Internet sales jobs do not have rigid educational criteria. Most training for these positions takes place on the job.
| Required Education | High school diploma |
| Other Requirements | On-the-job training |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029) | -2% (for customer service representatives)* |
| Average Salary (2020) | $34,710 |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Internet Sales: Job Description for Coordinators
What is Internet sales? Internet sales coordinators provide customer service to make the best Internet sales. As such, these workers need to feel comfortable interacting with customers. It is essential for those in Internet sales jobs to possess strong customer service skills, because one of the major responsibilities of the career is to increase sales. Other duties often involve updating client information in databases and performing customer-related follow-ups.
Coordinators respond to Internet-generated sales leads, qualify customers, and set appointments or follow-ups via e-mail or telephone. These professionals may also document sales calls to update customer information in databases, compile statistics, and work closely with the sales staff to increase sales.
Sales coordinator jobs can include working at a business, or working at Internet sales jobs from home. What is the role of a sales coordinator? The sales coordinator responsibilities include:
- Understanding the thinking and needs of customers.
- Interacting with customers or prospective customers.
- Offering information to customers about products.
- Developing promotions to gain customers.
- Closing sales.
Internet sales coordinators may advance to handle larger volumes of sales or become account executives or sales managers. Account executives are typically assigned to specific customer accounts while sales managers are responsible for a geographic area or product line. Managers may also set sales goals, create budgets, supervise associates, and train new associates.
Work Environment
Internet sales coordinators work in an office setting and often use desktop computers. Coordinators ensure a smooth ordering process by monitoring order traffic, tracking orders, and following up with consumers to assess customer satisfaction. Other responsibilities may include administrative and clerical duties, such as filing documents, preparing reports, and operating office equipment.
Education Requirements for an Internet Sales Coordinator
Internet sales coordinators typically have a high school diploma, although this is not a requirement. The BLS states that although there are no formal requirements for Internet sales coordinators, most employers prefer candidates who have a high school diploma or GED certificate. Applicants typically receive on-the-job Internet sales training. Some employers sponsor training programs that may last up to two years. Newly hired employees may be trained on product knowledge by technical experts or sales engineers. Associates may also be trained on interpersonal and sales skills by reading scripts, role-playing, and attending sales seminars.
Some employers may prefer candidates who have completed two-year associate's or four-year bachelor's degree programs. Students may consider degrees in business, marketing, or an industry-related field. Programs may include course topics such as:
- Consumer behavior
- Business-to-business marketing
- Statistical analysis
Working professionals may enroll in online, night, or weekend courses around their schedules. Students are also encouraged to seek internship opportunities as they may lead to entry-level positions after graduation.
Internet sales coordinators generally receive on-the-job training to help them prepare for their various duties. Individuals with a postsecondary degree in a program such as business or marketing might hold an advantage over other candidates when searching for a job in this field.
Job Outlook and Salary
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities for customer service representatives were estimated to decrease by 2% between 2019 and 2029. The median annual salary earned by such sales representatives was published as $34,710 in September 2020. PayScale.com lists the average hourly pay for Internet Sales Coordinators at $11.79, in February 2021.
