Behind the Sales: Hidden Tricks of E-Commerce I Learned as a Teen

Photo by Artem Beliaikin on Unsplash

Recalling some old lessons from working online- Lessons that helped me understand how e-commerce works.

In the 10th class, I started an e-commerce store on a website. It was my first time freelancing.

The store focused on digital goods used to sell subscriptions, games, and related in-game items. I created a list of items and set the prices myself.

I had never worked offline or online before, and this was my first time dealing with customers. I managed everything on my own, with full support from my family.

I set the prices of gigs and noticed something unusual: I could give discounts.

So, what’s with the DISCOUNT thing?

Let’s say I had an item worth $200 and I wanted to add a discount. I could set the original price to $450 and the current price to $200, showing around a 45% discount.

But it didn’t end there. I could set the “before discount” price to whatever I wanted.

But that’s a different matter - how many will be sold is another thing completely.

I could also add my items to a campaign that highlighted discounted prices and limited-time offers.

However, This doesn’t mean the website wasn’t offering real deals, but sometimes the intensity of the ads wasn’t as convincing, but, a tactic.

Does this affect anything or profit?

Running these campaigns is a form of marketing. They show you massive discounts, But that’s not always the case.

They try to influence our subconscious mind: You may end up falling into this psychological trap.

Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash

So, is this all just drama?

Not entirely. But you should have the know-how of e-commerce.

How e-commerce stores operate

How do they launch marketing campaigns?

How do they attract and convert people?

Now I don’t fall for the “ You are the only one” trap when these campaigns pop up on social media.

I also explain to my family that things aren’t always what they seem in the media.

Working-whether offline or online-can teach you life lessons, Unexpectedly, maybe.

It’s all about how you perceive things.

Originally published at https://thinking-block.blogspot.com on May 10, 2025.

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