Join the Movement, Grab Our Unique Offer and Support Ukraine Today!
Table of Contents
There is no overstating how important eCommerce is. It's the lifeblood of any business, and it can make or break a company. In order to stay competitive in the world of eCommerce, you need to find ways to outsource your eCommerce needs. There are many different types of outsourcing that you can do, but there are some things you should look for when choosing an eCommerce outsourcing provider.
In this article, we will look at the current state of eCommerce and how eCommerce outsourcing can help you get where you want to be with your online store. We'll also take a close look at what you need to consider before making a decision on whether or not to go down the path of eCommerce outsourcing.
What Is Ecommerce?
Ecommerce is the process of selling goods or services through the Internet. The term "eCommerce" was first used by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos back in 1995. Since then, it has become one of the most popular forms of commerce.
Studies show that eCommerce sales will make up 22% of global retail revenue by 2023. And, by 2040, it is projected that nearly 95% of all global purchases will be made online.
The growth of eCommerce is due to several factors. First, people have access to more information than ever before thanks to the internet. Second, technology continues to improve which makes shopping easier and faster. Third, people are becoming increasingly comfortable buying online. This is especially true in the post-COVID pandemic world.
What Is eCommerce Outsourcing?
eCommerce outsourcing is when a business hires a third party to handle eCommerce operations for them. Operations that are commonly outsourced include building and maintaining websites, content marketing, fulfillment, IT services, and customer support.
Technical, support, and marketing-related communication are some of the most common operations that can be serviced by a third party. This includes email, social media, phone, and live chat support. Some outsourcing companies provide omnichannel support. Omnichannel support streamlines the customer support experience across all inbound channels making for an optimized customer experience.
Business Process Outsourcing or BPO is another avenue of eCommerce outsourcing. BPO is when a business uses outside resources to perform tasks that they would normally do internally. These tasks could range from accounting to HR to legal.
Depending on the needs of a company eCommerce outsourcing has the capacity to boost revenue, increase customers, reduce workloads, and improve scalability.
Outsourcing should not be confused with automation. Automation is the use of software to perform tasks automatically without human intervention. Whereas, outsourcing involves hiring someone else to complete work allowing you to focus on your strengths and other business needs.
Why Should You Outsource Your eCommerce Needs?
Outsourcing eCommerce allows businesses to focus on their core competencies while letting someone else handle the nitty-gritty details of running an eCommerce website. When you outsource your eCommerce work, you can save money, time, and resources. You can also avoid having to hire additional staff to manage these functions. There are many reasons why businesses should consider outsourcing their eCommerce needs. Here are just a few:
Increased Revenue - If you're struggling to keep pace with the competition, you might want to think about outsourcing your eCommerce needs. By outsourcing your eCommerce needs, you can focus on other aspects of your business like growing your brand and improving your products.
Reduced Workload - When you outsource your eCommerce operations, you can free up time so you can spend it on other areas of your business.
Improved Scalability - As your business grows, you may need to hire additional employees to handle new responsibilities. However, if you've already hired those employees, they could be working on projects that don't require as much skill as yours does. By outsourcing your eCommerce needs, you can save money by letting others do the work instead.
Leverage Expertise- Outsourcing provides you with the opportunity to work with experts on a given task. These experts can help you understand how to leverage certain technologies or processes that would otherwise take you months to learn or to train others to do.
How Does Ecommerce Outsourcing Work?
There are a few different ways that eCommerce outsourcing can work. The most common way is for the business to hire an outsourcing company to complete all or some of their eCommerce operations.
Every business is different and will need a different level of outsourcing. However, there are some general steps that you can expect when outsourcing your eCommerce operations:
1. The eCommerce outsourcing provider will assess your business and your needs.
2. They will then create a plan for how they can help you meet your goals.
3. This plan will include things like customer support channels, website design, marketing, order fulfillment, and more depending on what operations are being outsourced.
4. You will need to approve the plan before work begins.
5. Work will begin on your website or eCommerce store.
6. The eCommerce company will continue to work with you throughout the project in order to make sure that everything is going smoothly and according to plan.
Choosing an Ecommerce Outsourcing Company
The first step in finding the right eCommerce outsourcing company is to determine exactly what you need from them. Do you need assistance with customer support, IT, web design, SEO, social media management, content creation, product development, fulfillment, or any other aspect of your online presence? Once you have determined what services you need, it's important to find a reputable company that can provide exactly what you need.
Here are the most important things to consider when searching for an eCommerce outsourcing company:
Affordability and Value
If your primary concern in looking for outsourcing is saving money, do not be tempted to simply look for the cheapest provider. Instead, you should prioritize value for your investment. It's best to choose a service provider who offers a wide variety of services at affordable prices. Some providers offer only limited services, which means that you'll pay more for less. Others offer a large number of services but charge high rates. Make sure that you get a good deal on quality services without paying too much for them.
Quality of Work
Another thing to think about is the quality of work provided by each potential outsourcing company. If you're planning on hiring someone else to perform tasks such as IT, customer support, or HR you want to ensure that their work meets industry standards.
Reputation
It's also important to check out the reputation of the company you're considering hiring. his includes things like how long they've been in business, how many clients they've worked with, and what types of reviews they've received. If possible, ask people who have worked with them in the past about their experience. Also, read reviews on sites such as Google, Yelp, and Angie's List. Finally, look into the Better Business Bureau and consumer protection agencies for complaints filed against the company.
By doing your research, you can avoid working with a company that has a poor track record or doesn't have the experience you need.
Expertise and Training
When choosing an eCommerce outsourcing company, it's important to know whether they specialize in your industry or if they are just starting up. If they don't have extensive knowledge in your field, it may be difficult for them to provide the kind of expertise that you need. On the other hand, if they've been around for a while, they probably already have the skills necessary to help you succeed.
Availability
You should also make sure that the eCommerce outsourcing company has enough time available to dedicate to your project. Many companies are able to handle multiple projects simultaneously, but some require a long lead-time before they can start working with your business.
Skill
Finally, you want to ensure that the eCommerce outsourcing provider has the skill set needed to complete your project successfully. A skilled team will be able to quickly adapt to changes in your business and deliver results quickly. They will also be able to identify potential problems early on so that they can be addressed before they become major issues.
Thinking of Outsourcing for Your eCommerce Business?
In conclusion, eCommerce outsourcing is a great way to save time and increase profits. However, it's important to carefully research your options before making a decision. The tips above will help you narrow down your search and find the perfect partner for your needs.
Helpware is providing expert BPO and omnichannel customer support outsourcing across numerous industries. If you are considering outsourcing for your eCommerce business, contact the professionals at Helpware to discover what outsourcing can do for your business.
