Outsourcing Ecommerce and associated tasks is a complicated business practice that has many different definitions and comes in various forms.
One thing is certain: it is one of the most effective ways for small Ecommerce businesses to cut costs and become more efficient, which are two things that you need if you want to stay competitive.
What is Ecommerce Outsourcing?
Ecommerce outsourcing is the practice of using third-party companies, products and services to create goods and provide services.
The term “outsourcing” typically refers to the tasks usually performed by in-house staff. With an Ecommerce business, these tasks can include things like writing product descriptions, handling support tickets, website development, technical support, marketing, and sometimes even handing the complete responsibility of Ecommerce to a third party.
Why Do Companies Choose to Outsource Work?
Outsourcing saves businesses’ money. As an Ecommerce business, you can save money by outsourcing accounting, web development, technical support, administration, marketing and even shipping tasks to third parties. This gives you the opportunity to spend that money on other things, such as benefits for current employees, additional employees, better offices, more offices, marketing campaigns and more.
The Benefits of Outsourcing
1. Saves Money
With outsourcing, you can allocate certain tasks you and your employees don’t have the time or skill for now without needing to cut costs in other parts of your business.
2. Saves Time
When you as the business owner are able to outsource tasks, you’re able to focus more of your time on customer research, development, outreach and other things that’ll help grow your brand’s influence. When your employees are able to save on time, they’ll be much more efficient with the tasks they were originally hired to do. You’ll see a boost in productivity and morale all around, which will eventually turn into more sales and satisfied customers.
3. Choose from a Larger Selection of Candidates
When you outsource, you’re able to open your search to a wider selection of candidates from all around the world. You’ll be able to grow your store’s sales and marketing potential with candidates experienced in SEO marketing, advertising, blogging, technical development and more.
4. Start Projects Quicker
Outsourcing cuts right through the clutter and gives you immediate access to qualified candidates and agencies. You can get to work on your new project at a much more efficient rate, all while spending less.
5. Build Staff Members’ Individual Skills
If you have employees work directly with outsourced labor, you may be able to have them learn and develop the skills you typically need to outsource. This can be done with onsite and offsite contractors but is most effective with onsite workers who can teach employees new skills first hand.
6. Enjoy a More Flexible Hiring Process
As for seasonal work, the holidays are always busy time for retailers due to Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Festivals. You’ll receive more sales than you normally do, but this revenue boost is always coupled with more products to package and ship as well as more support requests to handle. Outsourcing Ecommerce tasks may allow you to hire seasonal workers to cover the holiday rush with the money saved.
7. Less Red Tape
One of the advantages of Ecommerce outsourcing is that you can up staff and down staff without any associated red tape and paperwork, this allows you to manage the ups and downs of your business year with greater speed and flexibility.
Most businesses engage in some form of outsourcing, without even realizing it and certainly, for most businesses, the benefits of outsourcing Ecommerce tasks, by far, outweigh the negatives. Still, you need to examine your business closely and decide whether or not it’s the right move for you. You should also consider your outsourcing partner carefully and focus on using trusted outsource partners.
