Build Your Digital Commerce Skills from the Ground Up
Most people think they need a business degree to understand online retail. That's not true. We've taught folks from all backgrounds—retail workers, warehouse managers, even teachers looking for a career shift—how digital commerce actually works. Not theory. Real skills you can use right away.
What You'll Actually Learn
We break everything into three main phases. Each one builds on the last, but you can take breaks between them if life gets busy. That's normal, and we've built our schedule around that reality.
Digital Storefronts and Customer Behavior
You'll start by understanding how online stores actually function. Not the glamorous marketing stuff—the nuts and bolts. How products get listed, how search works, what makes someone click "buy" versus leaving the site.
- Product catalog management and inventory basics
- Reading customer data without getting overwhelmed
- Payment processing and security fundamentals
- Mobile shopping behavior patterns
Operations and Problem-Solving
Here's where it gets practical. Things go wrong in online retail every single day. Shipments get delayed. Websites crash. Customers get frustrated. This phase teaches you how to handle those situations without panicking.
- Order fulfillment workflows and logistics coordination
- Customer service strategies that actually work
- Basic troubleshooting for common platform issues
- Managing vendor relationships and supply chains
Strategy and Growth Thinking
Once you understand the foundation, we explore growth opportunities. This isn't about promising you'll become a millionaire—it's about recognizing patterns, testing ideas carefully, and making informed decisions based on data rather than hunches.
- Market research without expensive tools
- Testing product ideas on a limited budget
- Understanding seasonal trends and planning ahead
- Building partnerships with complementary businesses
How the Program Unfolds Over Time
Months 1-2
Orientation and Foundation Building
We start slow on purpose. You'll get comfortable with the terminology, explore different types of online businesses, and figure out which areas interest you most. Some students already know they want to focus on fashion retail, others discover a passion for B2B sales they didn't expect.
Months 3-5
Hands-On Practice Sessions
This is when you'll work with actual platforms and tools. We use sandbox environments so you can experiment without breaking anything. You'll set up test stores, process mock orders, and handle simulated customer complaints. It feels a bit silly at first, but students consistently tell us this practice made them confident for real situations.
Months 6-8
Project Work and Collaboration
You'll team up with other students to tackle realistic scenarios. Maybe you're launching a seasonal promotion, or figuring out how to handle a supplier who consistently ships late. These projects mirror the messy reality of commerce operations, where there's rarely one perfect solution.
Months 9-12
Capstone and Transition Planning
The final stretch focuses on pulling everything together. You'll complete a capstone project that demonstrates your skills, and we'll work with you on next steps—whether that's job searching, starting your own small venture, or taking on more responsibility in your current role. Our instructors stay connected with graduates, so you're not on your own after completion.