Are you considering outsourcing virtual assistant tasks in your e-commerce business? Outsourcing can be a great way to reclaim your time without sacrificing work quality, customer service, and order fulfillment.

However, finding the right outsourcing agency can be a daunting task for e-commerce business owners. In this article, we’ll cover the top ten outsourcing agencies. We evaluated each agency based on price, features, and scalability.

Remote CoWorker took the top seat because of its fleet of services, scalability potential, trusted brand reputation, and reasonable price. Read on to learn more about the advantages of virtual assistant outsourcing and beneficial tools to streamline your processes.

Top 10 Agencies

#1: Remote CoWorker

Pros

·  English-fluent VAs and multilingual support 

·  They only hire top 2% of applicants

·  Affordable hourly rates

Cons

·  Not designed for one-time tasks
.           They do not accept everyone to become a client

#2: FreeUp

Pros

·  Hourly plans

·  Worldwide VAs

·  Vetted VAs

Cons

·  Not for specialized industries

·  No 24/7 service

·  Time zone differences

#3: Time Etc

Pros

·  US-based VAs

·  Unused hours roll over to the next month

·  VAs have soft skills and technical skills

Cons

·  Hourly rates can get expensive

·  No industry specialization

·  Not designed for one-time projects

#4: MyTasker

Pros

·  Flexible payment options, like monthly or pay-as-you-go

·  IT and accounting experts

·  24/7 service

Cons

·  No Spanish-speaking VAs

·  Setup services limited to India

·  Unused hours can’t be rolled over

#5: Virtual Assist USA

Pros

·  VAs with experience in specialized industries

·  US-based VAs

·  Trained backup VAs

Cons

·  Hourly rates can get expensive

·  US-based only

·  No individual VA selection

#6: Upwork

Pros

·  Great for project-based work

·  Ability to choose your VA

·  Wide range of freelancers

Cons

·  Hard to find agencies, mostly freelancers

·  Most freelancers work short-term

·  Business disruptions when switching VAs

#7: Magic

Pros

·  Integrated AI technology

·  24/7 availability

·  Affordable hourly rates

Cons

·  Missing a personalized feel

·  Higher business disruptions due to technical issues

·  Data security concerns

#8: Wing

Pros

·  Part-time and full-time VAs

·  Customizable packages

·  Specialized roles

Cons

·  Limited offerings for specialized industries

·  VAs need training

·  Not designed for complex tasks

#9: Fancy Hands

Pros

·  Designed for scalability

·  No long-term commitment

·  Wide range of offerings

Cons

·  Pricing can be expensive

·  Limited control over task execution

·  Communication barriers

#10: Prialto

Pros

·  Global presence

·  Built-in communication tools

·  Strong reputation

Cons

·  Expensive plans

·  Time zone differences

·  Language barriers

The Benefits of Virtual Assistant Outsourcing for E-Commerce Businesses

Virtual assistant outsourcing brings countless benefits to your e-commerce business. Let’s explore some of these advantages in more detail. 

Added Cost Savings

Unlike an in-house employee, virtual assistants are considered independent contractors, meaning your business isn’t on the hook for payroll taxes or benefits, like paid time off. Similarly, virtual assistants often have a lower hourly rate compared to an in-house employee. You can find a qualified VA for less than $20 an hour. On the contrary, it might cost you $25 or more an hour to hire an in-house employee.

Since e-commerce businesses often operate remotely, you also don’t have to worry about overhead costs with a VA. You won’t need to rent an office or send them a laptop. Your VA comes fully equipped with the necessary tools.

Increased Productivity

Hiring an outsourced virtual assistant can also lead to drastic improvements in productivity. From tasks being completed on time to taking a proactive approach to e-commerce management, a virtual assistant might be your secret weapon.

Increased productivity can also trickle down into your personal schedule, with a VA helping you time block meetings and eliminate mundane tasks from your daily routine.

Streamlined Operations

One of the main responsibilities of a virtual assistant is to streamline operations. They can work as an extension of your team, facilitating the movement of information and delegating tasks to the necessary people. For example, if your virtual assistant notices you are running low on inventory, they will alert the inventory manager to place another order before products run out.

Better Customer Service

Customer service is a non-negotiable component of running a successful e-commerce business. From handling unhappy customers to answering questions and ensuring your brand image stays pristine, virtual assistants infuse efficiency into your entire customer service function.

For example, you might hire a virtual assistant to handle your customer service function. Instead of customers waiting a full day for a response, they have an answer in minutes, leading to higher conversion rates and increased sales.

Improved Cash Flow

A hidden benefit of VAs is improved cash flow. Cash flow is the backbone of e-commerce businesses. After all, it’s very difficult to reorder inventory if you have no cash. Your outsourced VA can manage your accounting function, helping you achieve optimal cash levels.

For example, your VA might set aside time each month to follow up on outstanding payments or negotiate vendor agreements to unlock discounts. These tasks have a direct impact on your bottom-line profitability.

Tools to Improve Efficiency in Outsourcing Workflows

Before you can hire an outsourced virtual assistant, it’s important to have the right tools and resources in place to improve efficiency. There are three main tools your organization needs: communication platforms, project management tools, and automation resources. In many cases, your outsourcing agency may already provide these items. Nevertheless, here’s why you need these tools and some recommended platforms.

Communication Platforms

Communication platforms ensure your virtual assistant has direct access to you and your team. Platforms like Slack, Zoom, and WhatsApp allow you to communicate with your VA by text message, email, and video calls.

Project Management Tools

Project management tools help your team stay focused on important tasks. Platforms like Trello, Asana, and ClickUp are great options for overall project management.

Automation Resources

Automation resources are indispensable for e-commerce businesses, especially with high levels of online transactions. Consider using platforms like Shopify, OpenCart, and WooCommerce that integrate with your accounting software and other programs to reduce operational silos.

Summary

Are you ready to hire a VA from an outsourcing agency? From lowered costs and higher sales to streamlined operations and better customer service, an outsourced VA might be the missing link in your e-commerce business.