By Admin 
An online store isn’t just about selling products. There are many different tasks you will need to handle. You might find yourself managing a pile of returns, double-checking inventory levels to ensure you can meet demand, or answering customer questions late into the night. These tasks cannot be ignored.
Fortunately, you don’t need to complete all of these tasks on your own. In fact, you can partner with external organizations. Outsourcing offers numerous benefits, including expert advice and faster results. In this post, you will learn three key areas that e-commerce stores can outsource.
Logistics and Order Fulfillment
One aspects of business to outsource is logistics and order fulfillment. Outsourcing fulfillment to a third-party logistics company, or a 3PL, offers a business several benefits. As they will typically store your products in their warehouses, their staff are quick to pick, pack, and prepare the product for shipment once an online order is received. This is made possible through integrating warehouse software with your e-commerce store. Such a connection streamlines the fulfillment process.
A significant benefit of partnering with a 3PL is the ability to extend your reach. If you manage shipping invoice, then you (or your team) will need to figure out shipping rates and times. International shipping can be even more complex. Thankfully, by outsourcing, you can unlock a wider market, as most fulfillment companies will have a network to handle shipping locally, regionally, and beyond.
However, there are numerous facts about outsourcing to a 3PL you should be aware of. For one, you will need to find a logistics and fulfillment partner that meets your needs, as not all 3PLs are made equal. You must consider if the 3PL can handle returns, has warehouses close to your customers, and offers high-quality software integration before finalizing your decision.
Digital Marketing
Another area to consider outsourcing is digital marketing. Forming an in-house digital marketing team can be tricky, particularly if none of your current hires have the required expertise. If you choose to employ other staff, then you should be prepared to use resources and time doing so. This can be a lot if you find yourself juggling various tasks like product development and website maintenance.
Digital marketing does require a level of skill that not all business owners and employees have. Outsourcing to a full-service marketing agency can provide solid marketing experience. They will be up to date on the latest in the industry, from search engine optimization to artificial intelligence-driven content. You will not have to spend time learning or investing in this yourself, instead you will have an external team to do that.
If you find your business is struggling to maintain consistent marketing efforts due to a lack of time and/or resources, then partnering with a digital marketing specialist is advised.
Customer Service
Finally, customer service can also be outsourced. E-commerce stores usually face high volumes of customer inquiries, particularly during peak seasons or promotional periods. Managing these interactions in-house quickly becomes overwhelming, and it takes focus away from other critical areas of the business. By outsourcing customer service, you will ensure your customers receive timely and professional support without hiring and training an internal team.
External providers of customer service often offer multiple channels of communication, such as email, live chat, phone, and social media support. This allows your customers to reach out in the way that is most convenient for them. Many providers operate 24/7, too, guaranteeing issues are handled promptly regardless of time zones. If you sell internationally, then this is very valuable.
To conclude, an e-commerce store can outsource numerous areas to enhance its operations. Your business will reap the benefits, particularly if logistics and order fulfillment, digital marketing, and customer service are the areas you choose to outsource.