For many fledgling businesses, scaling the company is a huge challenge. Trying to grow is hard when you don’t have the resources to expand as quickly as you would like. Outsourcing is one of the best solutions to this issue.
It enables you to expand the services your business offers and the way you operate rapidly. And you don’t have to create it all in-house. Most small businesses can’t create a new department for each function their company requires.
But you don’t need an IT department, a marketing department, and an HR department. You can outsource all these things. Read this guide to find out how you can make the best choices when you outsource.
Administration
Every business has varying levels of administrative needs. It doesn’t matter whether it’s small or large. Admin tasks can range from managing databases to answering emails. And they can be hugely time-consuming.
If you want to hand this work over to someone else, there are several ways you can do it. Some business owners choose to hire a virtual assistant. They can manage all the administration they don’t have time for.
You can find someone who works independently, or you might turn to a larger company. The most important thing to check is that they can do all of the tasks you require. You should also be confident that they have excellent communication skills. They should be able to respond to you as soon as possible.
IT Services
Having a decent computer system is essential for every business. Your network might only consist of a couple of computers, or it might be much larger. No matter the scale of your IT system, someone needs to care for it.
At some point, you will have to consider hiring someone. They can take care of any issues and help your business develop. Creating an entire IT department is out of reach for many smaller businesses, however.
If you want the same benefits for a lower price, it’s time to look at outsourcing. To choose the right partner, make sure you do your research. Some things to look for include whether they know your industry and good reviews from clients.
Web Design
Some small and medium businesses hire a permanent employee for their website. However, many would rather outsource the task of developing and maintaining their site.
It could save you a lot of money, particularly if your site doesn’t need constant maintenance. Choosing the right developer for your business can be a long process. The best way to start is to look at the websites in their portfolio.
If it’s not what you’re looking for, move on and find someone else. They have to be able to understand your industry. And of course, they need to know about all the technical things, from responsive design to SEO.
SEO
Having a website for your business is essential, but it’s no use to you if you don’t try to get it noticed. Most smaller businesses don’t have a permanent hire to manage search engine optimization.
An outsourced service is usually the better option. The key to finding SEO outsourcing that works for you is to assess their reputation, experience, and price. You have to get a balance between them.
One company might be cheaper, but that won’t help you if they can’t improve the position of your website. Before you start looking for a provider, make sure you brush up on your SEO knowledge. You need to know at least the basics so you can assess vendors properly.
Customer support
Your customers need somewhere they can turn if they have a problem. Some small businesses will start off providing this in-house. However, once you begin to grow, there won’t be time for someone to provide 24/7 support.
Outsourcing your customer support will enable you to provide dedicated service. You need a company that can adapt their services to your business. Consider what sort of customer service you’re looking for too.
Do you need to provide support via telephone? Or do you want to use email, social media or even instant messaging?
Sales
Many companies need an active sales team to reach out to customers. You might want a sales team that works on phones or even goes door to door. Hiring just one salesperson can cost you a lot of money. So outsourcing is often the more practical solution.
You can have an entire sales team at your disposal without having to take on a group of permanent employees. The important thing about outsourcing sales is developing an approach that suits your brand.
Anyone selling your products needs to be knowledgeable about who you are. They need to know how you treat potential customers. It might involve working on a sales script or providing training sessions.
Payroll
Managing payroll for a team of employees can get complicated. However, not every employer has the resources to create a payroll department. If you need someone to take care of paying your employees, it’s another service you can outsource.
You need to make sure that they provide the services you need. But they should also have excellent customer service. You should know that they can resolve problems as quickly as possible.
It’s also a good idea to choose a local company. If you need to pick up checks or other paperwork in an emergency, it’s better if you can drive to their office.
Accounting
Bookkeeping is another financial task you might want to outsource. Unlike payroll, it’s a good idea to outsource accounting in the beginning.
You can move to a permanent hire later. Even a self-employed, individual contractor can benefit from hiring an accountant. You might manage your own finances to an extent, but it’s always a good idea to have a professional on board.
Making accounting mistakes could end up costing you a lot, so it’s best not to risk it. Many business owners find an accountant by asking for recommendations from contacts.
Marketing
Businesses need to market themselves, and it takes a lot of work. Choosing to outsource your marketing will ensure that you can get everything covered. There are many factors you need to consider to master both online and offline marketing.
If you want to find the best marketing company for you, you need to assess their portfolios. You need marketing that suits your brand. If your brand is young and fresh, you don’t want to use a firm that’s used to marketing to a more traditional audience.
An outsourced marketing company can complete a range of tasks. They can range from content creation to securing advertising space.
Social media
Another form of marketing it’s essential to use is social media. If you want your business to have an excellent online reputation, you need to be on social media. But managing your different accounts can be time-consuming.
Ideally, you would need to have a full-time employee dedicated to social media activity. But outsourcing is a more sensible option for many companies.
Hiring a freelancer or a social media agency can help you make sure you stay in touch with your customers. It’s a vital way of forming relationships. So the marketer you choose needs to become familiar with your brand’s voice.
Human relations/recruitment
Hiring staff and managing HR issues can be extremely expensive. Outsourcing is often better value than doing it in-house. Many businesses prefer to have their HR services close by. However, outsourcing can save time and money.
Outsourced HR consultants can deal with a number of issues relating to staff. They can advise you about the law and how best to avoid lawsuits from dissatisfied employees. Outsourcing your recruitment will help you to get the right hires the first time.
If you want to outsource these services, it’s often best to find one firm that can do both tasks. Many offer both HR solutions and recruitment services.
Public relations
If you choose to outsource public relations, you’ll save money while getting a great return. You’ll have a whole agency at your disposal who can go into action when you need them to help you out.
An outsourced agency is often better to help you resolve problems and work on larger projects. They can provide you with a wider range of resources to help you spread the message of your company.
Content creation
Quality content is essential for any modern business for a number of reasons. It’s important for SEO purposes, and it helps to keep your customers engaged. Supplying a steady stream of content in different forms can be a full-time task.
If you can’t afford to do it in-house, outsourcing can get you some excellent work for less. You might decide to find a company that can provide a variety of content. However, you could also look for individuals or firms to deliver written content, graphics and video separately.
Outsourcing a number of different services can save your business a lot of money. It helps you scale up while you have limited funds. If you want to grow your company, consider outsourcing as a useful method.
