Before the huge global retail giants like Amazon and eBay, it wasn’t hard for a small eCommerce business that sold products online. But social media and the internet have changed how a business sells products online.
Finding the right products, driving targeted traffic, and retaining customers can be a lot for one business owner, but those things are imperative for a small business.
When small business owners can’t handle all those tasks by themselves anymore, what do they do? They hire an eCommerce virtual assistant!
An eCommerce virtual assistant specializes in helping eCommerce stores run efficiently. It’s a great niche for someone looking to specialize and transition from general virtual assistance!
If you are considering a niche in eCommerce, read on to see what kinds of tasks eCommerce virtual assistants help with!
What Does an eCommerce Virtual Assistant Do?
A virtual assistant does administrative tasks for a small business to run and completes them remotely. These include data entry, calendar management, inbox organizing, and appointment setting.
An eCommerce virtual assistant is the same idea. However, they specialize their skills to help eCommerce businesses run remotely. Some of the things they help with are processing orders, managing product listings, store design, and customer service.
Tasks eCommerce Virtual Assistants Do
Store development, design, and upkeep
The look and functionality of a website are determining factors for a visitor making a first impression. Store and website designs are often sent to a graphic designer. However, after the site is set up, updating and maintaining new pages or updates are things an eCommerce virtual assistant can do.
Processing orders
An eCommerce virtual assistant can help fulfill new orders and manage returns and exchanges. They can also help with managing shipments.
Product sourcing
Finding products that are trending that customers might be interested in and searching for high-selling products a store’s competitors are selling are tasks an E-commerce virtual assistant can help with.
Managing inventories
Knowing how and when to plan out orders for inventory is something an eCommerce VA will help with too. There is a balance between ordering more product before it sells out and ensuring there is not too much product in storage!
Product listing
Product listings with descriptive copy and professional-looking images can go a long way for customers in decision-making. An eCommerce VA can help take professional-looking photos, edit them and add other information like SKU numbers to a product listing.
Create product descriptions
Creating product listings with descriptive and intriguing copy will help conversion rates. However, creative copy takes up a lot of time! A virtual assistant can help write creative descriptions or edit product descriptions for listings.
Bookkeeping
Tracking where money is going, like if employees are paid, or vendors have outstanding invoices, are things an eCommerce VA can help manage and track.
Social media
Social media creating, posting, brainstorming, commenting, and replying to comments take a lot of time! Social media is a great tool to showcase products. So someone needs to keep it updated, and it is something an eCommerce virtual assistant can help run.
Videography
Sometimes a product will sell better with a video of the product rather than a photo. In those instances, an eCommerce virtual assistant can help edit and upload a video to the store website or social media page.
Customer service
An unhappy customer does not come back. An eCommerce VA can help with the shopping experience by providing sales support and answering any questions a potential customer has. Or mitigating issues after a customer has bought the product.
What Skills are Needed for eCommerce Virtual Assistants?
Are you thinking about niching into eCommerce virtual assistance? Some skills you might need to master are organization and strict attention to detail. Updating websites and product listings require an eye for small details to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
Some knowledge of ERP software is going to be helpful for you when helping to run an eCommerce store.
***Bonus tip: if you want to learn more about ERP software, sign up for free tutorials and trials on the company website to learn how to use them before talking with potential clients.
Other skills you might need as an eCommerce virtual assistant are customer service, SEO, copywriting for blogs and product descriptions, and paid ads for Google or Facebook.
How Much Does an eCommerce Virtual Assistant Make?
Pricing ranges anywhere between $25 to $60 for eCommerce virtual assistants. Beginners usually start with rates around $25-$30 per hour.
Then with more intermediate skills, you can charge higher rates between $35-$45 per hour.
As you gain advanced skills, you can confidently charge higher rates from $45-$60 per hour.
How to Start an eCommerce Virtual Assistant Business?
If you want to start an eCommerce-based virtual assistant business, read Jessica Romero’s success story. Where Jessica talks about how she started as a virtual assistant helping Etsy and Shopify store owners manage their stores!
Virtual assistant course
Are you interested in your own freelance journey? But unsure where to start?
Start with the Freelance Crash Course! In the course, you will learn about freelancing and finding paying clients. Plus, score the proven process for landing your first client!
3 Tips for Working with eCommerce Business Owners
Once you start a service-based eCommerce business, you’ll look for eCommerce businesses to work with.
On episode 214 of the Live Free Podcast, Jessica Romero and her long-time client Kim Lewis of lilliedimple.com share how Jess helps Kim with her eCommerce business. Kim shares what she was looking for when she decided to work with Jess.
Plus, they talk tips for working with service providers that will help you create a successful working relationship!
- Communication: determine up front how you will communicate and how often. What will your turn-around time be? Then, create a plan and expectations for the working relationship in the next few weeks and months.
- Follow up: a busy business owner is juggling a million things at once, so they want to work with someone who will follow up before things fall through the cracks.
- Go above and beyond: doing more than you were hired to will impress a business owner by showing you are invested in the success of their business. And increase your value to their business!
Want to hear more about working as an eCommerce virtual assistant? Click this link to listen to the whole episode here!
