E-Commerce Course Outline

Course Contents / Lesson Plan

Course Title: E Commerce

Duration: 3 Months

 

Trainer Name
Author Name
Course Title E Commerce
Objectives and Expectations Employable skills and hands-on practice in E Commerce

This is a special course designed to address unemployment in the youth. The course aims to achieve the above objective through hands on practical training delivery by a team of dedicated professionals having rich market/work experience. This course is therefore not just for developing a theoretical understanding/back ground of the trainees. Contrary to that, it is primarily aimed at equipping the trainees to perform commercially in a market space in independent capacity or as a member of a team.

The course therefore is designed to impart not only technical skills but also soft skills (i.e. interpersonal/communication skills; personal grooming of the trainees etc.) as well as entrepreneurial skills (i.e. marketing skills; free lancing etc.). The course also seeks to inculcate work ethics to foster better citizenship in general and improve the image of Pakistani work force in particular.

Main Expectations:

In short, the course under reference should be delivered by professional instructors in such a robust hands-on manner that the trainees are comfortably able to employ their skills for earning money (through wage/self-employment) at its conclusion.

This course thus clearly goes beyond the domain of the traditional training practices in vogue and underscores an expectation that a market-centric approach will be adopted as the main driving force while delivering it. The instructors should therefore be experienced enough to be able to identify the training needs for the possible market roles available out there. Moreover, they should also know the strengths and weaknesses of each trainee to prepare them for such market roles during/after the training.

 

MODULES

 

Schedu led

Weeks

 Module Title Days Hours Learning Units Home Assignment
Week 1 Overview of E Commerce Day 1 Hour 1 Overview of the ecommerce industry ( Pakistan Vs Global )
Hour 2 Advantages and disadvantages of ecommerce
Hour 3

and 4

 Types of ecommerce businesses
Popular ecommerce business models
Overview of the ecommerce technology stack
Day 2 Hour 1 Define e commerce marketplace. Features and benefits of different ecommerce platforms ( local vs global )  

·         Task 1 Details may be seen at Annexure-I
Hour 2 Choosing the right ecommerce platform for your business
Integration of third party services with ecommerce platforms
Hour 3 &

4

 Define the importance of payment gateways ( local and global )
Exploring ecommerce software tools and services.

 

Day 3 Hour 1 &

2

 Define the importance of shipment/courier management gateways
Hour 3 &

4

 Define the importance of inventory, pricing and tax management
Day 4 Hour 1 &

2

 Define Marketing mix – 4 Ps and 4 Cs

(4Ps-Product, Price, Place, Promotion)

(4Cs – Customer, Cost, Convenience, Communication)
Hour 3 &

4

 Define SWOT analysis

(Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)
Day 5 Hour 1 to

4

 Define dropshipping, affiliate and MLM business models.

 

Week 2 Setup, design and customize DARAZ seller account Day 1 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to DARAZ as an e-commerce platform.

Overview of the benefits of becoming a seller on DARAZ.
Step-by-step guidance on creating a seller account on DARAZ.
Explanation of the account verification process and required documentation.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical walkthrough: Create DARAZ seller account.
Guidance and support for account verification and document submission.
 

·         Task 3 Details may be seen at Annexure-I
Day 2 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to the seller dashboard’s interface and functionalities.
Overview of various sections and tools available to sellers.
Hour 3 & 4 Detailed exploration of order management features within the dashboard.
Understanding seller performance metrics and their importance.
Hands-on practice: Navigating through the seller dashboard.
Engage in exercises to

 

manage mock orders and review performance metrics.
Day 3 Hour 1 & 2 Guidelines for creating effective product listings on DARAZ.
Best practices for product titles, descriptions, and images.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical demonstration: How to optimize product details, pricing, and inventory management.
Interactive activity: Create sample product listings on the account.
Review and feedback on the product listings created during the session.
Day 4 Hour 1 & 2 Exploring options for customizing the seller’s storefront on DARAZ.
Guidance on personalizing the storefront to reflect brand identity.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical demonstration: Adding banners, logos, and visual elements for a professional look.
Hands-on activity: Work on customizing the seller storefronts.
Troubleshooting and assistance provided as

 

needed.
Day 5 Hour 1 Overview of marketing tools available to sellers on DARAZ.

Explanation of promotional campaigns, discounts, and sponsored products.
Hour 2 Strategies for providing excellent customer service on DARAZ.

Handling inquiries and managing orders effectively.
Hour 3 & 4 Role-playing exercise: Engage in simulated customer service scenarios.

Review and discussion of effective marketing strategies on DARAZ.
Week 3 Explore and manage Amazon seller account (with Pakistani ID ) Day 1 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to Amazon as an e-commerce platform.

Overview of the benefits of becoming a seller on Amazon.

Understanding the different types of seller accounts on

  

 

 

 

·         Task 3 Details may be seen at Annexure-I
Amazon.
Requirements and
guidelines for Pakistani ID
holders to create an
Amazon seller account.

 

Hour 3 & 4 Practical demonstration: Step-by-step process on setting up an Amazon seller account with a Pakistani ID.
Explanation of the verification process and necessary documentation.
Day 2 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to the Amazon Seller Central dashboard and its functionalities.
Overview of different sections and tools available to sellers.
Hour 3 & 4 Understanding order management features within the Seller Central.
Exploring seller performance metrics and their significance.
Hands-on practice: Navigate through the Seller Central dashboard.
Exercises to manage mock orders and review performance metrics.
Day 3 Hour 1 & 2 Guidelines for creating compelling product listings on Amazon.
Best practices for product titles, descriptions, and images.
Practical demonstration: Optimizing product details, pricing, and inventory management.

 

Hour 3 & 4 Interactive activity: Create sample product listings using the Amazon seller accounts.
Review and feedback on the created product listings.
Day 4 Hour 1 & 2 Exploring options for customizing the Amazon seller storefront.
Guidance on branding and personalizing the storefront to reflect the brand identity.
Practical demonstration: Adding logos, banners, and visual elements for a professional storefront.
Hour 3 & 4 Exploring options for customizing the Amazon seller storefront.
Guidance on branding and personalizing the storefront to reflect the brand identity.
Day 5 Hour 1 & 2 Overview of marketing tools available to Amazon sellers.
Explanation of promotional campaigns, discounts, and sponsored products.
Hour 3 & 4 Strategies for providing excellent customer service on Amazon.
Handling inquiries and managing orders effectively.
Role-playing exercise: Engage in simulated customer service scenarios.
Review and discussion of effective marketing

 

strategies on Amazon.
Week 4 Setup, Design and Customize Shopify Store Day 1 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to Shopify as an e-commerce platform.

Understanding the benefits of using Shopify for online stores.
Step-by-step process on setting up a Shopify account.
Explanation of account settings and preferences.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical walkthrough: Create a Shopify store.
Guidance on domain setup, store naming, and basic configurations.  

 

·         Task 4 Details may be seen at Annexure-I
Day 2 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to the Shopify admin dashboard and its functionalities.
Overview of different sections and tools available for store management.
Exploring product management features within Shopify.
Understanding collections, variants, and inventory management.
Hour 3 & 4 Hands-on practice: Navigate through the Shopify dashboard.
Exercises to add products, create collections, and manage inventory.

 

Day 3 Hour 1 & 2 Exploring Shopify’s themes and customization options.
Understanding the basics of theme selection and installation.
Practical demonstration: Customizing themes, layouts, and colors.
Adding and arranging sections for a personalized storefront.
Hour 3 & 4 Hands-on activity: Work on customizing the Shopify store themes.
Troubleshooting and assistance provided as needed.
Day 4 Hour 1 & 2 Guidelines for creating compelling product listings on Shopify.
Best practices for product titles, descriptions, and images.
Practical demonstration: Optimizing product details, pricing, and SEO.
Hour 3 & 4 Interactive activity: Create sample product listings in their Shopify stores.
Review and feedback on the created product listings.
Day 5 Hour 1 & 2 Overview of marketing tools available on Shopify.
Exploring apps for marketing, sales, and customer engagement.

 

Hour 3 & 4 Strategies for driving traffic and sales using Shopify marketing features.

Understanding discount codes, promotions, and email marketing.

Practical application: Explore and install relevant apps for their stores.

Discussion on effective marketing strategies and app integration.
Week 5 Setup, design and customize WooCommerce store Day 1 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to WooCommerce as an e- commerce platform.

Understanding the advantages of using WooCommerce for online stores
Step-by-step process on setting up a WooCommerce store.
Explanation of account creation, installation, and initial configurations..  

 

·         Task 5 Details may be seen at Annexure-I
Hour 3 & 4 Practical walkthrough: Create their WooCommerce stores.
Guidance on domain setup, store naming, and basic settings.
Day 2 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to the WooCommerce admin dashboard and its functionalities.
Overview of different sections and tools available for store management.

 

Exploring product management features within WooCommerce.
Understanding product types, categories, and inventory management.
Hour 3 & 4 Hands-on practice: Navigate through the WooCommerce dashboard.
Exercises to add products, create categories, and manage inventory.
Day 3 Hour 1 & 2 Exploring WooCommerce themes and customization options.
Understanding the basics of theme selection and installation.
Practical demonstration: Customizing themes, layouts, and colors.
Adding and arranging elements for a personalized storefront.
Hour 3 & 4 Hands-on activity: Work on customizing the WooCommerce store themes.
Troubleshooting and assistance provided as needed.
Day 4 Hour 1 & 2 Guidelines for creating effective product listings on WooCommerce.
Best practices for product titles, descriptions, and images.
Practical demonstration: Optimizing product details, pricing, and SEO.

 

Hour 3 & 4 Interactive activity: Create sample product listings in their WooCommerce stores.
Review and feedback on the created product listings
Day 5 Hour 1 & 2 Overview of marketing tools available in WooCommerce.
Exploring extensions for marketing, sales, and customer engagement.
Strategies for driving traffic and sales using WooCommerce marketing features.
Understanding discounts, promotions, and email marketing.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical application: Explore and install relevant extensions for their stores.
Discussion on effective marketing strategies and extension/plugins integration.
Week 6 Manage product hunting, sourcing, listing and marketing for local e Commerce Day 1 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to local e- commerce and its significance in the market.

Understanding the basics of product hunting and its role in local e-commerce.

Exploring different sourcing

  

 

 

 

·         Task 6 Details may be seen at Annexure-I
methods for local e-
commerce products.
Overview of identifying
market trends and
consumer demands.

 

Hour 3 & 4 Case studies and examples: Successful product hunting stories in local e-commerce.
Introduction to tools and resources for product research and trend analysis.
Day 2 Hour 1 & 2 Understanding the importance of market research in product hunting.
Exploring various market research techniques for local e-commerce.
Analyzing consumer behavior and preferences in the local market.
Strategies for identifying profitable niches and target audiences.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical exercises: Conducting market research and analyzing consumer behavior.
Group discussions on findings and potential product opportunities.
Day 3 Hour 1 & 2 Techniques for identifying potential product opportunities in local e- commerce.
Factors to consider when selecting products for the local market.
Criteria for evaluating product viability and profitability.
Analyzing competition and assessing product differentiation strategies.

 

Hour 3 & 4 Group activities: Work on identifying and selecting potential products.
Presentation and discussion of chosen products with rationale.
Day 4 Hour 1 & 2 Understanding the process of sourcing suppliers for local e-commerce.
Exploring different channels and negotiations for product acquisition.
Evaluating supplier reliability, quality, and shipping considerations.
Strategies for building strong relationships with local suppliers.
Hour 3 & 4 Role-playing exercises: Simulate supplier negotiations and agreements.
Discussion and feedback on negotiation strategies and supplier sourcing.
Day 5 Hour 1 & 2 Importance of product testing and validation before launch.
Strategies for conducting product tests and gathering feedback.
Planning a successful product launch for local e- commerce.
Overview of marketing tactics and promotional strategies.

 

Hour 3 & 4 Practical application: Create launch and marketing plans for their chosen products.

Group discussions and feedback on launch strategies and marketing plans.
Week 7 Manage operations and logistics for local e Commerce Day 1 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to operations and logistics management in local e-commerce.

Understanding the importance of efficient operations for successful e- commerce.
Overview of logistics processes and supply chain management in local e-commerce.
Exploring different components of operations: inventory, fulfillment, and shipping.  

 

 

·         Task 7 Details may be seen at Annexure-I
Hour 3 & 4 Case studies and examples: Successful operations and logistics strategies in local e- commerce.
Introduction to tools and software for managing e- commerce operations.
Day 2 Hour 1 & 2 Importance of effective inventory management in local e-commerce.
Understanding stock control techniques and inventory optimization.
Exploring inventory management systems and their functionalities.
Strategies for categorizing

 

and organizing inventory for efficient management.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical exercises: Work on inventory management scenarios.
Group discussions on best practices and solutions for inventory challenges.
Day 3 Hour 1 & 2 Overview of order fulfillment processes in local e-commerce.
Understanding picking, packing, and shipping strategies.
Exploring shipping options and logistics partners for local e-commerce.
Evaluating cost-effective and reliable shipping solutions.
Hour 3 & 4 Simulation exercises: Simulate order fulfillment and shipping scenarios.
Discussion and feedback on strategies to streamline fulfillment and shipping.
Day 4 Hour 1 & 2 Importance of excellent customer service in local e- commerce.
Strategies for managing customer inquiries and concerns effectively.
Handling returns and exchanges in e-commerce operations.
Developing policies and procedures for returns

 

management.
Hour 3 & 4 Role-playing exercises: Participants engage in simulated customer service scenarios.

Discussion and feedback on handling returns and providing quality service.
Day 5 Hour 1 & 2 Strategies for optimizing operations and logistics in local e-commerce.

Importance of performance analysis and metrics tracking.

Utilizing data and analytics for operations improvement.

Identifying key performance indicators (KPIs) for e-commerce logistics.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical application: Analyze sample data and identify areas for improvement.

Group discussions on implementing optimizations based on analysis results.
Week 8 Manage Digital Marketing for local e Commerce Day 1 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to digital marketing and its importance in local e- commerce.

Overview of key digital

  

·         Task 8 Details may be seen at

Annexure-I
marketing channels and
strategies.
Understanding the local e-
commerce market and

 

target audience.
Importance of customer segmentation and targeting in digital marketing.
Hour 3 & 4 Case studies and examples: Successful digital marketing campaigns in local e- commerce.
Introduction to tools and platforms for digital marketing in the local market.
Day 2 Hour 1 & 2 Overview of social media platforms and their role in local e-commerce.
Strategies for effective social media marketing for local businesses.
Creating a social media marketing plan for local e- commerce.
Understanding content creation and engagement strategies.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical exercises: Create sample social media marketing content i-e, text, image and video..
Group discussions and feedback on content quality and engagement strategies.
Day 3 Hour 1 & 2 Importance of SEO in local e-commerce for visibility and traffic.
Basics of keyword research, on-page, and off- page SEO strategies.
Understanding the role of

 

content marketing in local e-commerce.
Strategies for creating valuable and SEO-friendly content.
Hour 3 & 4 Hands-on activity: Work on SEO optimization and content creation exercises.
Review and feedback on implemented SEO strategies and content quality.
Day 4 Hour 1 & 2 Overview of email marketing and its significance in local e- commerce.
Strategies for building and segmenting email lists.
Crafting effective email campaigns for local e- commerce.
Understanding automation and personalization in email marketing.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical application: Create sample email marketing campaigns.
Group discussions and feedback on email content and engagement strategies.
Day 5 Hour 1 & 2 Introduction to paid advertising options for local e-commerce. Creating Business Account on Meta Business Suite and Google Ads
Understanding ad platforms and budgeting strategies.
Analytics and performance

 

tracking in digital marketing.

Identifying key metrics and measuring campaign success.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical exercises: Set up sample paid advertising campaigns.

Group discussions on campaign analysis and optimization based on analytics.
Week 9 Launch an online store with at least 5 winning products Day 1 Hour 1 & 2 Overview of key factors for choosing winning products.

Understanding market trends and consumer demands in e-commerce.
Strategies for identifying potential winning products for an online store.
Hour 3 & 4 Case studies and examples: Explore Successful online stores and their winning product selections.

Introduction to tools and resources for product research and validation.

  

 

 

 

·         Task 9 Details may be seen at Annexure-I
Day 2 Hour 1 & 2 Techniques for researching and validating potential winning products.
Factors to consider for product viability, profitability, and competition.
Exploring tools and methods for analyzing product demand and competition.
Conducting market research and evaluating

 

product opportunities
Hour 3 & 4 Practical exercises: Conduct product research and validation activities.
Group discussions and sharing of findings on selected potential winning products.
Day 3 Hour 1 & 2 Understanding sourcing options and strategies for obtaining selected products.
Exploring different channels and suppliers for product acquisition.
Evaluating supplier reliability, quality, and shipping considerations.
Strategies for establishing strong relationships with product suppliers.
Hour 3 & 4 Role-playing exercises: Participants simulate supplier negotiations and agreements.
Discussion and feedback on negotiation strategies and supplier sourcing.
Day 4 Hour 1 & 2 Step-by-step guidance on setting up an online store platform.
Explanation of account creation, store setup, and configurations
Product listing and inventory management

 

within the online store.
Strategies for effective product descriptions, images, and pricing.
Hour 3 & 4 Hands-on activity:

Participants create listings for selected products in their online stores.
Troubleshooting and assistance provided as needed.
Day 5 Hour 1 & 2 Planning a successful

launch for the online store and selected products.
Overview of marketing tactics and promotional strategies for launch.
Crafting a marketing plan targeting the store’s audience and chosen products.
Identifying channels and methods for reaching potential customers.
Hour 3 & 4 Practical application:

Participants develop a launch and marketing plan for their online store.
Group discussions and feedback on launch strategies and marketing plans.
Week

10

 Create

Freelancing Proficiency on Digital Platforms

 Day 1 Hour 1 to 4 Introduction to

Freelancing on Digital Platforms

Overview of digital freelancing: Explanation of

 ·         Task 10 Details may be seen at Annexure-I

 

various platforms (Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, etc.), types of projects available, and skill requirements.
Understanding the benefits, challenges, and strategies for success in the digital freelancing landscape.
Day 2 Hour 1 to 4 Profile Creation and Optimization
Guide on setting up an effective freelancer profile: Creating a compelling bio, selecting skills, showcasing portfolios, and highlighting expertise.
Optimizing profiles on popular freelancing platforms with relevant keywords and best practices.
Day 3 Hour 1 to 4 Understanding Client Communication and Proposals
Exploring effective client communication: Strategies for professional interaction, understanding client needs, and crafting compelling proposals.
Conducting role plays or mock scenarios to practice effective communication and proposal writing.

 

Day 4 Hour 1 to 4 Project Management and Time Tracking Tools

Introduction to project management tools (Trello, Asana) and time tracking software (Toggl, Harvest).

Practical exercises on managing freelance projects, organizing tasks, and tracking time spent on different projects.
Day 5 Hour 1 to 4 Finances, Contracts, and Building Reputation

Understanding financial aspects: Setting rates, creating contracts, invoicing, and managing payments as a freelancer.

Strategies for building a positive reputation, securing reviews, and handling feedback on digital freelancing platforms.

 

Annexure-I:

  

Tasks for Certificate in E Commerce

 

Task No. Task Description Week
 

 

 

 

1.

 Define E Commerce and differentiate between conventional commerce and e Commerce with describing the e commerce models and their pros and cons. Make a power point presentation and

present in the class.

  

 

E-commerce revolutionizes trade through digital platforms, differing from traditional commerce, and encompasses models like B2C, B2B, C2C, and C2B, each with unique advantages and limitations, as detailed in the presentation

  

 

 

 

Week 1
 

2.

 Create DARAZ seller account and customize the storefront. Establish a DARAZ seller account and personalize the storefront, leveraging customization tools to enhance brand identity and optimize the online shopping experience for customers.  

Week 2
 

3.

 Create AMAZON Seller account with Pakistani details and customize the

storefront.

 Set up an Amazon Seller account using Pakistani details and tailor the storefront, employing customization features to showcase brand identity and enhance the visual appeal for an engaging

shopping interface.

  

Week 3
 

 

4.

 Create Shopify store with free theme.

Customize the theme settings, colors and manage the products & categories.

 Establish a Shopify store using a free theme, personalize theme settings, color schemes, and efficiently handle product and category management for an engaging and organized online shopping experience  

 

Week 4
 

 

 

 

5.

 Create WooCommerce store with free theme.

Customize the theme settings, colors and manage the products & categories.

Demonstrate WooCOmmerce settings.

  

Build a WooCommerce store utilizing a free theme, tailor theme settings and color schemes, effectively oversee product and category management, and demonstrate the setup and configuration of WooCommerce settings for an optimized and user- friendly online shopping environment.

  

 

 

 

Week 5
 

6.

 Manage product hunting, sourcing listing and marketing for the local e commerce. Conduct comprehensive product hunting, sourcing, listing, and implement strategic marketing approaches for local e-commerce, ensuring a successful identification, acquisition, and promotion of products to target local markets effectively.

 

 

 

7.

 Manage fundamental operations and logistics for the local e commerce. Efficiently oversee fundamental operations and logistics for local e-commerce, encompassing inventory management, order fulfillment, shipping strategies, and customer service to ensure seamless and timely delivery of products and exceptional

service to customers.

  

 

Week 6
 

 

8.

 Create a digital marketing campaign on social media and google for the online store. Develop and execute a comprehensive digital marketing campaign leveraging social media and Google platforms to promote the online store, targeting specific audiences through strategic advertisement placements for increased visibility, engagement, and sales.  

 

Week 7
 

 

9.

 Launch at least 5 winning products on local e commerce marketplace ( DARAZ

) and shopify/woocommerce

.

 Initiate the launch of at least five successful products on local e-commerce platforms, including DARAZ, Shopify, or WooCommerce, strategically managing the introduction, listing, and marketing of these products to maximize their impact and sales potential within the marketplace.  

 

Week 8
 

10.

 Create Freelancing Proficiency on Digital Platforms Develop proficiency in digital freelancing by covering profile optimization, client communication, project management tools, financial aspects, and reputation building on popular platforms in a week-long course.  

Week 9

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