Over a third of small businesses currently outsource some operations, and this trend is expected to continue. Outsourcing involves obtaining products or services from outside providers, allowing small businesses to enhance efficiency without significantly expanding their full-time teams.
Accounting outsourcing is common, as skilled accountants can efficiently manage processes and compliance standards for multiple businesses, saving costs.
IT management outsourcing is a significant industry, with a global market for outsourced IT services reaching $85.6 billion.
Marketing outsourcing enables quick business growth by having outside firms handle tasks like ad design, content creation, and social media posting.
Sales tasks, especially sales calls and funnel setup, can be outsourced to skilled professionals to increase business.
Administrative tasks can be outsourced to virtual assistants, providing cost-effective solutions for inbox management, scheduling, and social media posting.
Customer service strategies for online or phone-based businesses can be outsourced to call centers or chat services, requiring clear processes and instructions.
Manufacturing outsourcing is cost-effective for small businesses, and domestic partners can be found to avoid offshore processes.
Shipping and logistics - you can use 3rd parties do your manufacturing, shipping and handling of your products directly to customers. This is a popular option for ecommerce sellers that want to really focus on the online and marketing aspects of their business.
Outsourcing research tasks to a specialized firm is a valuable strategy for businesses seeking insights into their customers or industry before launching new products or entering new markets. This approach saves time and provides access to additional resources, enhancing the quality of gathered information.
Human resources outsourcing covers hiring, onboarding, and team management tasks, commonly involving recruiting services for qualified candidates, and options for training, benefits administration, payroll, and time and attendance issues.