How E-Commerce Businesses Can Save 40% by Hiring Virtual Assistants

In today’s competitive e-commerce environment, which is very tough, businesses are always trying out methods to cut costs and improve operational efficiency. Running an online store puts out many moving parts from order fulfillment to running customer support and managing inventory. While these elements are key to the business’ success they also may prove to be very large and expensive when handled in house. But we have a solution that may reduce operational costs by as much as 40% that is to outsource to a virtual assistant.

In this post we will look at how virtual assistants can improve your e-commerce operations, reduce costs, and at the same time increase productivity. Also, we will go over the best ways to hire a virtual assistant for e-commerce, the cost of hiring a virtual assistant in India and much more. If you are thinking of how to hire a virtual assistant for small business, this is a perfect guide for you.

Why E-Commerce Businesses Should Hire Virtual Assistants

Running a successful e-commerce business is a full time job which also includes a variety of important tasks. These tasks though are very much the same day in and day out and take up a lot of your time which in turn takes away from big picture goals and growth. That’s why many business owners opt to hire a virtual assistant to outsource routine functions and in turn buy back that valuable time.

One of the best solutions is to outsource to virtual assistants for your e-commerce store. Virtual assistants which are remote workers can take over what is at hand which in turn allows your team to focus on more strategic elements that will grow the business.

By hiring a virtual assistant for hire, which is a pay as you go model you can see a large drop in the costs of full-time employees which includes salary, benefits and office space. This flexible team can take on a variety of tasks such as:

Customer service
Order processing and inventory updates
Product research and listings
Social media management and digital marketing

With a virtual assistant you have access to the expertise that you require without the full time staff expense. This turn may present large-scale cost reduction and also increase your business’s productivity. We get that at the beginning you may be on the fence which is why we have put together a full guide on how to hire a virtual assistant for you.

How Hiring a Virtual Assistant Can Save 40% in Costs

E-commerce companies are seeing an increase in labor costs, overheads and also the issue of scale in operations. We see that hiring virtual assistants is a solution for this issue. Here’s how hiring a virtual assistant for hire can save your business up to 40% in costs:

1. Lower Labor Costs

When you hire a virtual assistant for ecommerce, you are avoiding large-scale employee costs. We pay VAs by the hour or for each project which in turn means we only pay for what is delivered. Also, you don’t have to deal with long-term salary issues, benefits, health insurance or retirement packages which makes this a very cost-effective solution.

2. No Additional Overhead

Full-time employees need office space and equipment as well as other resources which puts a large strain on the budget. But with virtual assistants for hire that work from home we do not have to provide that which in turn means we do not have to buy that outright. That which we save in operational costs can then be put back into the business.

3. Increased Efficiency and Productivity

When you outsource routine tasks to a virtual assistant your in-house team can put their focus toward growing product lines, improving customer service, or developing growth strategies. This improved concentration and focus on what we do best may in turn see an increase in revenue and at the same time we may see cost reduction.

4. Scalable Solutions

The ability to scale your team is a great benefit of virtual assistant employees. We see that VAs provide flexibility which in turn allows you to increase your VA team during peak seasons (for example holiday sales) and reduce that number when business slows down. This also helps in the management of operational costs away from those of permanent staff. For a more in-depth look at the benefits and signs that it is time to work with a virtual assistant check out the post on signs to partner with virtual assistant companies.

What Tasks Can Virtual Assistants Handle for Your E-Commerce Business?

Hiring a virtual assistant for hire can give your business a major boost by taking over many critical tasks. Here are some of the key responsibilities that VAs can handle for your e-commerce business:

1. Customer Support

Customer support is the foundation of any e-commerce business. A VA may handle customer queries, process returns, resolve issues, and see to it that your customers have the best experience. This in turn allows you to put your energy into growing sales and developing your brand without ignoring your customers’ needs.

2. Product Research & Listings

Virtual tools at your disposal for research of hot products, analysis of the competition, and creation of optimized product listings on Amazon, Shopify and Etsy. We see to it that your product catalog is always current and that your listings are put forward for better search visibility and sales.

3. Social Media & Marketing

Social media is a great platform for e-commerce brands, but the management can be very time-intensive. A virtual assistant is able to take over your social media accounts, produce engaging content, schedule posts, answer customers' messages, and also run paid ad campaigns to promote your business.

4. Order Processing & Inventory Management

A virtual assistant does your order tracking, manages inventory, and updates stock levels across many platforms. By shifting to this role you may see reduced error rates, minimized delays, and very efficient order fulfillment. For a full guide on hiring a virtual assistant.

How to Hire a Virtual Assistant for Your E-Commerce Business

Hiring the best virtual assistant for your team is key to getting the most out of this business solution. Here are some steps we recommend for hiring a virtual assistant for ecommerce:

1. Identify Your Needs

Before you hire a virtual assistant, determine what you want to pass off. Do you need help with customer service, inventory management, or digital marketing? Identifying your exact requirements will help you in your search for a VA that has the right skills.

2. Where to Find Virtual Assistants

If you are looking to hire a virtual assistant for your business we have a number of options available. We recommend you check out sites like Upwork and Fiverr and also use a local virtual assistant hiring agency for a more tailored search. Also you will be able to look at candidate profiles, see their ratings and find those with specific e-commerce experience. For an in depth report on how the growth of virtual assistant agencies in India can benefit you read our article on the growth of virtual assistant agencies in India.

3. The Cost of Hiring a Virtual Assistant in India

In India we see that the primary benefit of hiring a virtual assistant is cost. We find the cost of hiring a virtual assistant in India to be much less as compared to what is charged in many Western countries for local hire. At the same time, which is very impressive from a value for money point of view, Indian virtual assistants also bring to the table high skill levels and experience in the fields of e-commerce, customer service and digital marketing.

4. Screen Candidates and Conduct Interviews

Once you have shortlisted your VAs it’s time for the interview. Ask them about their experience with e-commerce platforms, their communication skills, and how they handle tasks. Also, you may give them a test task to see how well they do against what you are looking for.

5. Set Clear Expectations

To make for smooth cooperation, set up what the lines of communication are, the timeframes, and that you have the same expectations. At the start set out your goals, the action items to be completed, and what the results should look like. Clear communication is the key to successful collaboration and higher productivity.

Final Thoughts

Hiring out a virtual assistant for your eCommerce business may see you reduce costs by as much as 40%, also you will see an increase in productivity and will aid in the growth of your business without the need to bring in full-time staff. VAs are also those that cut overhead, manage time which out tasks and in turn improve overall efficiency.

If you are looking to hire virtual assistants for your e-commerce store try out platforms like Upwork and Fiverr or see if there is a virtual assistant hiring agency local to you that can put you in touch with the right talent. With a virtual assistant your business can grow at a faster rate, cut down on costs, and put more energy into what will make your business very successful.

FAQs

Ans. Outfitting your business with a virtual assistant can see your e-commerce operations run more smoothly which in turn will have you focusing on growth and strategy, at the same time as we see reduced operational costs. Also, virtual assistants can take on the bulk of the routine tasks like customer service, order fulfillment, product research, and social media which in large part is what allows for that.

Ans. You may outsource customer service, product listings, order management, social media marketing, and inventory updates to a virtual assistant. Thus your business will run smoothly which in turn gives you time to pay attention to other key areas.

Ans. Outsourcing to a virtual assistant is a more economical option than hiring full-time employees. VAs are charged per project or by the hour which in turn means that what you pay is for what you get. Also, there are no additional expenses like benefits, salaries, or office space which in turn makes this a very flexible and affordable solution.

Ans. Virtual we have that which is also true for short-term and long-term projects. Also, many Virtual Assistants present flexible price options which in turn allows you to use them for single tasks or for a short time which in turn includes product launches or during seasonal order peaks.

Ans. To determine which virtual assistant is right for you, first see what tasks you require help with, and then look for VAs that have experience in those areas. Also, you can use sites like Upwork and Fiverr, or reach out to a local virtual assistant hiring agency which will put you in touch with qualified candidates.