Do you know what an eCommerce virtual assistant does for an eCommerce business? This article will discuss how helpful an eCommerce virtual assistant can be for your business.
An eCommerce business can be rewarding; however, it demands much courage and time from the owner. However, there is a way to manage your online store more efficiently and cost-effectively by using this method. In particular, those just starting, such as startups or small businesses, should read this article.
What is an eCommerce virtual assistant?
An eCommerce virtual assistant is a professional who can perform various tasks to help manage and operate an online store. These tasks include product research, inventory management, customer service, marketing and advertising, and order fulfillment. The virtual assistant works remotely and via the internet to complete their tasks.
Entrepreneur secrets
Those already in business for a few years will understand how much time you need to invest. Therefore, from handling the shipping orders, keeping the inventory and product listing up to date, checking customer reviews, doing your PR, managing your social media sites, managing promotions, and much more − the list sometimes seems endless.
However, all these manual tasks can distract you from what you should be doing – building your brand and producing or selecting great products people want to buy. More so, if your attention wanders, the strategic aspects of your company can start to slide. Anyway, be honest; you will work harder, impacting your family relationships and overall wellness.
Successful entrepreneurs know the secret that you cannot do it alone. Indeed, you need to get help. Therefore, the intelligent choice is to hire an eCommerce virtual assistant. Consequently, this is someone working remotely, handling all the admin work for you, offering you more time to address the strategic aspects of your business.
A virtual eCommerce assistant can be sourced through an agency, or you can look for a freelancer. Therefore, eCommerce assistants work contractually: they are paid only for the work done and nothing more. Moreover, businesses can save a great deal by hiring such part-time staff.
Want to know what tasks can be assigned to a virtual eCommerce assistant?
Therefore, here is a list of nine tasks that can be delegated to a virtual eCommerce assistant.
Seven functions that you can allocate to an online virtual assistant
1. Order processing
Your online assistant can handle all order processing. As such, order processing facets comprise:
- Producing, printing, then bearing shipping labels;
- Managing the shipment process;
- Organizing invoices;
- Transferring customer invoices to shipping companies or the facility.
2. Customer service and account management
It’s well-known – you will have more business with happy clients. Furthermore, your clients will spread the news about how great you are through word-of-mouth marketing. However, customer service can rob you of your time. An online eCommerce assistant with excellent communication skills can perform the following tasks for you:
- Deal with all customer queries, either telephonically, via email, or through your social media channels;
- Gather all the feedback and send it to be addressed by the correct department;
- Set up automated responses for standard responses, keeping the messages updated;
- Aid your clients through the buying process;
- Analyze your client’s feedback to uncover fake reviews damaging your brand and online reputation. They will, therefore, ensure that you maintain a high-quality rating status;
- Keep your customers happy. The result is that satisfied customers will give you more business. In addition, as the customer service process can demand much time, a virtual eCommerce assistant with good communication skills can perform all account-management aspects.
3. Refunds, returns, as well as exchange management
Your eCommerce virtual assistants will be able to deal with returns. In addition, they will inform clients of your return policy. Furthermore, they will assist clients, making the return or exchange process smooth.
4. Inventory management
Your associate can also be tasked to control your inventory. This is vital for an effective eCommerce business – the online stock must be updated. Also, any products marked as sold out are, in fact, a potential loss. Also, the assistant can deal with your suppliers to ensure sufficient stock is supplied.
5. Examine your online store performance and research your competitors
Your internet marketing virtual assistant can task the following online store data:
- revenue generated
- conversion tracking
- daily website visitor numbers
- average order value
- customer retention figures.
Ultimately, this performance report is significant for your strategic thinking: it will indicate areas that can be improved.
That said, your virtual assistant can also research your competitors. Also, if you have insights into how and what your competitors are doing, you will be better positioned to stay ahead of them. Competitor research gives you that advantage.
6. Manage your digital marketing
An essential part of your marketing strategy or the potential success of your business is your digital marketing. Therefore, digital marketing is demanding on time, and there are many tricks only skilled eCommerce whiz kids will know. As such, your assistant will be adept at managing the campaign and analyzing the outcomes of each campaign.
As eCommerce virtual assistants are skilled with SEO guidelines, they can update your website and ensure search engine optimization. Furthermore, this will mean that more people can find your website.
The SEO techniques will be keeping the blog section current and arranging with guest bloggers or influencers to add fresh content to your site. Also, your aide can help with keyword research, optimize internal links, add more quality black links, ensure no broken links, conduct PPC campaigns, and ensure your website perfectly reflects your brand.
7. Brand manager
Your online aide can also act as your brand manager. Plus, your assistant will ensure that your brand is presented consistently across all platforms, from social media to website to printed content such as inserts for your orders, fully aligned with the business brand identity. As such, this is why larger companies are so successful – they maintain a solid brand identity. Therefore, your company’s values and mission are transferred with each message or mere sighting of your logo.
You could outsource the top tasks to an eCommerce virtual assistant.
You may have an eCommerce business. Whether it is already established and you want to upscale or yet a startup, contact us at Aristo Sourcing by booking a free discovery call. We have worked with various companies to make them successful by outsourcing their talent to virtual assistants.
More so, in this highly competitive market, time could mean you are falling behind and putting your company at risk for failure. Do not let that happen – we can supply the perfect online virtual assistant to match your needs. Meanwhile, you will have more time for complex strategic thinking, which will direct your business and brand to new levels of success.