Free course · Lesson 1 of 5
Introduction to E-Commerce
In this lesson you will
- Describe e-commerce models
- Choose a starting platform
E-commerce means selling products or services online rather than only from a physical location. For South Sudanese entrepreneurs, this often starts with WhatsApp/social media selling and can grow into a full online store as the business scales.
- E-commerce models: Selling your own products, reselling/dropshipping, or offering services bookable online.
- Where to start: Most local sellers start with WhatsApp Business and Facebook before investing in a dedicated online store platform.
- What makes online selling different: Customers can't touch or see the product in person, so clear photos, descriptions, and trust-building matter even more.
- Realistic expectations: Online sales take consistent effort to build — treat it as a real, ongoing operation, not a one-time setup.
Practical Skill: Decide which e-commerce model fits your product/service best, and write a short plan for which platform you'll start selling on and why.
=== CHOOSING YOUR E-COMMERCE APPROACH === What am I selling? _____________________________________ Model:[ ] My own products (I make/source them)[ ] Reselling other suppliers' products[ ] A bookable service (e.g. tutoring, design work) Starting platform:[ ] WhatsApp Business + social media (lowest cost, fastest start)[ ] A dedicated online store (Shopify/WooCommerce)[ ] Both together Why this platform fits me: ______________________________________________________________________________________Practice exercise
Ask five people where they buy online, then choose a starting platform for a product and give two reasons.
Key takeaways
- Start where customers already are
- Social commerce is cheap to start
- Trust signals matter online
Free self-study lesson — no certificate. For the full instructor-led program, see registration options.