E-commerce businesses run smoothly on consumer interests. Customer demands also vary with the evolving market. So, it is possible that most e-commerce operators may not be able to align with their consumer’s requirements to a large extent.

The growth of the e-commerce industry is a huge online marketing network that mainly targets its consumers to fulfill their needs and handle their grievances. However, the in-house staff may be incapable of managing all the e-commerce functions expertly.

Here, outsourcing comes into the picture. E-commerce outsourcing is the best strategy to

  • Streamline marketing operations,
  • Increase efficiency,
  • Build work processes, 
  • Include worldwide talented resources, skills, etc.

Outsourcing allows flexibility in handling the e-commerce functions and uplifts the quality and standards of services.

Now, you may be wondering what e-commerce functions may be outsourced by you.

This blog provides you with a list of some of the very crucial e-commerce functions that you can outsource to strengthen your business model.

First, let’s know about E-commerce outsourcing.

E-Commerce Outsourcing: Know About It

The delegation of the primary 1, operations, or functions to a third party outside the company to access expertise and quality resources is known as E-commerce outsourcing.

Some of the major e-commerce tasks include:-

  • Product linking,
  • Website maintenance,
  • Customer management, etc.

Mainly, two reasons can be considered for e-commerce outsourcing:-

  1. What functions can be outsourced by you?
  2. Which of the following tasks could be best to outsource than to keep in-house? 

Here, we will deal with the first question in detail.

Now, let’s specify the major e-commerce functions that you can outsource.

What E-commerce you can outsource?

Let’s start with some of the very basic e-commerce functions that you may outsource.

There can be various additional e-commerce functions also that meet your particular business necessities.

It is significant to move through your procedure patterns to identify them.

E-commerce source and IT technology

It is one of the most important e-commerce functions, as technological expertise is a must for designing, developing, and managing websites.

It also includes administering solutions and support systems, etc.

Outsourcing your e-commerce management to a SaaS provider will be effective only if you have provided your in-house resources to perform all these tasks, and move with the latest advancements.

You may also consult a specialized provider to seek advice for other different solutions, such as plugins and integrations. This will help you save a majority of your money and time.

Marketing

e-Commerce Business that adopt data-driven marketing are more likely to have an advantage over the competition and increase profitability.

Although you may be able to perform several operations of fundamental marketing yourself, various other functions need specific skills and a lot of time to execute.

You can be good at outsourcing similar functions, specifically if your business is new and you have restricted in-house resources. 

It must be kept in mind that professionals can perform the same task more efficiently and more rapidly. With this, you can save and even make more money for your future.

There are some of the developing and the famous marketing areas that you may outsource:-

Social media management

To perform this task, you must have a deep curiosity and interest in social media, and a systematic monthly timetable.

Regular vigilance of the outcomes and time to answer instantly to customers joining on social media are also essential in social media management.

If you are handling this on your own, Hootsuite is the best application to make the scheduling of your social media much less time-consuming.

Search engine optimization or Search engine marketing: Performing this task needs high technical skills and expertise, along with knowledge and a good understanding of appropriate tools.

Pay-per-click

Advertisements released through PPC, reflected, or printed are generally a major segment of the marketing campaigns with a starting and finishing. 

Specifically, when you are beginning, these are particularly nice to outsource. So, you are charged money only when the campaigns are in force.

E-mail marketing

Avail a professional’s advice to perform this task expertly. Afterward, automate the platform to the best of your ability by combining your e-commerce domain with e-mail marketing software, such as ContactPigeon.

Advertising: A deep analysis of the way to display products may bring a huge variation in conversion rates and complete orders.

Brand management

Regularly observe how your brand is being rated in the market with the help of hearing software, for eg., SocialMention. A public relations expert may help you handle your reputation regularly or only during a challenge.

Graphic designing and artistry

An innovative designer may make your product’s branding and promotional resources make a positive impact.

An independent contractor or your web development company must be able to perform the related task for you.

Market investigation: Performing this task in an aligned manner needs an analytical eye, a broad understanding of research methodologies, and exposure to a majority of data precisely.

Content curation

Content is essential for your website and marketing resource to attract consumers in the long run.

It is a must for you to have a constant flow of well-researched and well-written content for blogs, newsletters, social media, etc.

Photos: Clear and quality images may drive your sales growth to a large extent, and this can also need professional editing.

Consummation

There are different principles included in consummation. This may involve obtaining new stocks, reserving them, handling the supply, initiating orders, and after that packing and delivering them. 

The more conveniently you can perform this task depends on your resources and logistical proficiency. 

It is also essential to consider the cost influence of contracting out several or all of your consummation necessities. After referring to the indirect costs, like rent of accumulation space, choosing packaging teams, and handling the procedure, it can prove to be beneficial to outsource this domain.

Product data handling services

A 2021 survey indicated that 53% of companies consider logistics their main business challenge.

Operating a successful e-commerce business mandates keeping all your product data in proper alignment regularly. This includes handling stock updates, and product photos, along with creating unique SEO and consumer-friendly product detailings. 

This is the most ideal job to outsource to independent contractors or to operate with the help of a bulk product data entry service.

Leveraging third-party logistics (3PL) providers can reduce overhead costs, improve delivery times through strategically located distribution centres, and manage inventory more efficiently.

Combining your e-commerce domain with your enterprise resource planning system will remove a majority of these manual procedures and, importantly ‘outsourcing’ them to software.

Consumer support

Customer facilitation or assistance is one of the most significant pillars in promoting your sales. Hiring experts in this domain ensures you operate it expertly.

Outsourcing also furthers the job of handling consumer’s daily queries and resolving them.

Contemplate which specific areas of this domain you would prefer to outsource, for eg, live conversation, e-mail, phone, etc. After that take into account alternatives, such as Zendesk.

Now, think about outsourcing this service several times, such as on public offs, and weekends. This will help your customers to remain in your touch 24/7.

Order validation

Validation of an order includes processing, positioning, and tracking orders, and also managing the cancellations, variations, and refunds where essential. 

When you begin your business, you won’t have sufficient orders. A virtual assistant may handle it for you if you are not well-adapted to it or do not want to do it.

With the growth of your company, you may consider increasing your standards to a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) company to oversee all or part of the procedure.

Financial dealings

About 30% of small businesses outsource their accounting and financial functions.

Several aspects of your finances may be managed expertly by you.

As your company becomes bigger and develops rapidly, you can take the help of appropriate software for payroll and accounting.

This will make your task easier.

When you have to make quality financial decisions or adhere to tax compliance, it is best to seek a professional’s advice from the beginning.

Your e-commerce domain may be combined with your finance or accounting system.

Automating a majority of the ordering and billing procedures makes your tasks easier.

This is similar to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) combinations.

Human resources

Most probably, you may do your starting hires on your own, and train them well.

With time, the staff requirements will become more complicated.

For this, you can outsource the recruitment, training, and contractual part of human resources to help you easily handle this task.

Some of the additional e-commerce functions that may be outsourced by businesses include:-

  • Technical project management
  • Sales promotion 
  • Consumer support
  • Digital Marketing
  • Website management
  • Finances and accounting 
  • Bookkeeping
  • Software testing
  • Project development
  • Client-relations building, etc.

Outsourcing is beneficial to e-commerce businesses on a wide scale as it helps them become cost-conscious and stand out from other brands in the market.

Also Read: Top 8 Advantages of Outsourcing E-Commerce Operations

To Wrap up

Outsourcing e-commerce functions makes your marketing operations flexible and increases productivity.

Most e-commerce platforms want to outsource their functions but are not able to do so because of a lack of understanding or because they fear it.

In this blog, we have given a wide list of the e-commerce functions that may be outsourced by businesses to compete in the market and establish brand value.

Our e-commerce professionals at Invedus can help you with outsourcing your primary e-commerce functions as per your business requirements and consumer interests. Our experts place a special focus on quality and top staffing solutions.

You can also hire e-commerce experts from Invedus to manage your specific business operations, functions, or tasks.  

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About Bhaskar

Bhaskar Singh is an experienced legal researcher known for his significant contributions to the development of democratic institutions, environmental awareness, and the criminal justice system. His expertise in research and proficiency in using advanced AI tools empower him to drive meaningful change across various fields.

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