“Clicking Through Challenges: An Exploration of the Lived Experiences of

Online Sellers in the Municipality of Pototan”

Honey P. Sevilla

Christian Dave C. Adorio

Ivy Joy P. Palec

Sharmel L. Florida

Kisha Ann L. Porras

Joshua Ronel L. Dalen

Kirk Matthew Guanco

Raph Corneta

Jay M S. Parcon

Nic Aiessa P. Herida

Rationale of the Study

In recent years, the internet and social media platforms have provided a

new avenue for individuals to engage in e-commerce, specifically as online

sellers. With the increasing demand for online shopping, more and more people

have started to sell products online to supplement their income or as full-time

jobs. However, despite the growing number of online sellers, there needs to be

more research on their lived experiences.

When shopping online, electronic commerce, also known as e-commerce,

is simply the buying and selling of goods and services over the Internet.

However, when selling products directly to consumers, the term is frequently

used to describe a seller's efforts (Golden Haven, 2021). Online selling is the

best way to start a business with little or no money. You can sell your products

without opening a physical store, which saves you money. No monthly rent, utility

bills, or other expenses are associated with opening a physical store. Sometimes

you only have to buy your products once a buyer confirms that they want to buy

that specific product you are selling (June, 2018).

The Municipality of Pototan is home to most online sellers, particularly

during this pandemic. Due to the pandemic's severe restrictions, online shopping

has increased, and entrepreneurs have embraced the internet trend even more

(Arreola, 2020). Lorenciana (2021) added that, as a result of the COVID-19

pandemic, many businesses are shifting to online sales. Online selling is

prevalent in Pototan, particularly among young people. As online selling grows in

popularity, it captures the attention of the youth. These young people are being
raised in an electronic-filled society with an online and socially networked world;

they are becoming addicted to mobile phones and services (Ravichandran et al.,

2018).

Due to the Internet's popularity and the rapid development of e-commerce,

more consumers are willing to buy products online (Ou, 2015). Selling directly

online expands your reach. Your profits are no longer limited by the number of

customers who can physically visit your brick and mortar location when you have

an online store. You can sell across towns, states, and even borders, eliminating

all geographical constraints. Your online store also allows you to cater to

customers who prefer to browse and buy at times when retail locations are

typically closed. Both the buyer and the retailer can save time by reducing phone

calls about availability, specifications, hours of operation, and other information

that can be found on company and product pages (Draper, 2022).

An online business, like any other business, faces numerous challenges.

According to Nagaraj (2018), problems in online selling include a lack of

shopping experience, a delay in delivery, warranty issues, delivering incorrect

products, delivering damaged goods, a lack of security, a lack of feel and touch,

a hidden cost, digital payment failures, additional charges, quality issues, a lack

of after-sales service, and a failure to receive the product. Another issue that

online sellers face is bogus buyers. Many bogus buyers undervalue online

sellers' abilities and claim that running an online business is not a real job

(Austria, 2020). Bogus buyers underestimate online sellers. After all, they believe

they can even fool them because they do not consider online selling a legitimate
job. Furthermore, these are just a few examples of the difficulties and problems

online sellers encounter in the Philippines (Cruz et al., 2022).

Furthermore, as e-commerce continues to grow and evolve, it is essential

to identify the factors influencing the success and sustainability of online selling.

By exploring the experiences of online sellers, this research can shed light on the

strategies and practices that can contribute to the success of online businesses.

Overall, this research will help us better understand the diverse life

experiences of online sellers in the Municipality of Pototan and the daily

challenges they face as entrepreneurs.

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