What does a beginner e-commerce VA actually do?
Usually product listings, order follow-up, customer support replies, store admin cleanup, simple inventory updates, and other operational tasks that help a seller stay consistent.
Is this better than starting as a general VA?
It can be if you want a clearer niche from the beginning. E-commerce VA work is still support work, but it gives you a more specific market and more specific tasks to package.
Do I need to own a store to start?
No. You need enough understanding of how store support works to build one sample workflow or useful proof piece. You do not need to be a store owner yourself.
What should I offer first?
Start with one narrow store task such as listing support, inbox support, order update support, or backend admin cleanup. That makes the offer easier to explain and easier for a seller to test.