High School

If you are considering becoming an Internet store manager or entrepreneur, there are a number of classes you can take in high school to help prepare you for these careers. Naturally you should take computer science courses to give you a familiarity with using computers and the Web. Business and marketing courses will also be beneficial for you. Also, take mathematics, accounting, or bookkeeping classes because, as an entrepreneur, you will be responsible for your company's finances. Take history classes to learn about economic trends and psychology classes to learn about human behavior. A lot of advertising and product promotion has a psychological element. Finally, take plenty of English classes. These classes will help you develop your communication skills, which will be vital to your work as a store manager or business owner.

Postsecondary Training

Although there are no specific educational requirements for Internet store managers or entrepreneurs, a college education will certainly enhance your skills and chances for success. Like anyone interested in working for or running a traditional business, take plenty of business, economics, and marketing and management classes. Your education should also include accounting or bookkeeping classes. Keep up with computer and Internet developments by taking computer classes. Some schools offer certificates and degrees in e-commerce. Many schools have undergraduate degree programs in business or business administration, but you can also enter this field with other degrees. If you're interested in becoming an online store manager for a large company or in starting your own company, consider earning a master's degree in business administration. Many programs focus on sales and marketing, and others are geared toward the entrepreneur.

Other Education or Training

The American Management Association offers seminars, workshops, and webinars in more than 25 subject areas, including business analysis and quality, human resource management, information technology management, management and supervisory skills, project management, and strategic planning. The National Management Association provides online courses in business, management, and leadership. The Small Business Administration offers a variety of classes and seminars for people interested in starting and running a successful business. Contact these organizations for more information. 

Certification or Licensing

Webprofessionals.org offers the certified e-commerce manager credential to applicants who have at least two years work experience in developing and maintaining e-commerce sites and pass an examination. Sales & Marketing Executives International offers the certified marketing executive, certified sales executive, and other certification credentials. Additionally, professional associations such as the Institute for the Certification of Computing Professionals and the Institute of Certified Professional Managers offer voluntary management-related certifications to industry professionals. These designations are helpful in proving your abilities to an employer. The more certifications you have, the more you have to offer. 

Licenses may be required for running a business, depending on the type of business. Since requirements vary, you will need to check with local and state agencies for regulations in your area.

Most employers look for online sales managers who have at least two to five years of experience. A manager has a high level of responsibility and may also supervise or manage other sales people or staff managers, so they should be experienced in both digital marketing and sales as well as in supervising others. Most managers start out in other sales-related positions before being promoted to managers. They may work in a store as a sales person or as part of a digital marketing team.

There are fewer manager positions than in other industries, so opportunities may not be as easy to find and there is a lot of competition for them.

Internet entrepreneurs and store managers must have the desire and initiative to keep up on new technology and business trends. Because they must deal with many different people in various lines of work, they need to be flexible problem solvers and have strong communication skills. Creativity and insight into new and different ways of doing business are qualities that are essential for an entrepreneur to be successful. In addition, because the Internet and e-commerce are relatively new and the future of Internet businesses is uncertain, those who enter the field are generally risk-takers and eager to be on the cutting edge of commerce and technology.