“You can’t wait for customers to come to you. You have to figure out where they are, go there, and bring them back to your store.”

The above quote from Paul Graham, co-founder of startup accelerator Y Combinator, perfectly captures the mindset needed to succeed in today’s marketplace. And right now, customers are clearly online.

Whether they’re browsing for product information, comparing prices, or sealing the deal with a purchase, more and more shoppers are completing their customer journey online. But even if you’re an eCommerce business owner, you know that simply being in the field is not even half the fight.

Running a successful online store requires constant work—from managing listings and fulfilling orders to keeping customers engaged. The dynamic environment demands not just skill, but time and energy. Additionally, it’s unsustainable to do everything alone, which is why you need the right people on your team. Enter: an eCommerce virtual assistant (VA).

Let’s explore what an eCommerce VA does and why every store needs an eCommerce virtual assistant to operate efficiently and reach new milestones.

What is an eCommerce virtual assistant?

An eCommerce virtual assistant (VA) is a type of professional who supports online stores remotely. A Virtual eCommerce VA takes on a wide variety of tasks, from administrative and marketing duties to industry-specific support such as product listing monitoring and order fulfillment. Compared to a general virtual assistant, an eCommerce VA possesses specialized skills to provide seller support on top online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy, ensuring that your store runs smoothly and efficiently.

Ready to scale up with a virtual assistant? Schedule a free consultation call with our team today.

The top signs: Why every store needs an eCommerce virtual assistant

Running an online business on your own can seem manageable at the beginning. However, as you establish your brand and grow your business, you’ll find that a helping hand or two may just be what you need.

• The tasks keep piling on.

As a business owner, you’ll wear many hats. In the beginning, you’ll likely handle everything yourself—from administrative work and marketing to order fulfillment and customer support. But as your business grows, so will your responsibilities. If you find yourself constantly juggling tasks and your to-do list only seems to get longer, it may be time to get some help.

An eCommerce VA can help you by taking some tasks off your plate. This way, you can outsource any tasks that aren’t part of your core responsibilities and focus on the bigger picture.

• Scaling your business seems improbable.

Do you ever feel like you’ve got a grand vision, big dreams for your online store, but the execution just can’t seem to happen? Even when you’ve got a great strategy drawn up, you still need extra hands to start scaling confidently. Whether it’s launching a new product line or trying out new marketing platforms, the right eCommerce virtual assistant can help you execute.

• Your internal team lacks the skills for specialized tasks.

Even when you have an internal team, it’s still possible to need eCommerce VAs. Tasks such as SEO optimization and social media management require specialized expertise. If your team doesn’t have the time or training to handle such tasks, engaging with a skilled VA with a background in the eCommerce field can help you fill the gaps quickly and at a fraction of the cost of hiring someone full-time.

• You can’t keep up with the pace.

Because it has lower barriers to entry, the eCommerce industry makes it a more even playing field between startups and bigger corporations. But that doesn’t mean the competition isn’t fierce. As Eric Pearson, former IHG Executive, puts it, “It’s no longer the big beating the small, but the fast beating the slow.” You need to be adaptable and flexible in today’s business world, especially in the eCommerce field.

If you want to stay agile and adapt quickly, you need an eCommerce VA on your side. The right VA has the skills and experience to assist you with streamlining operations, organizing your calendar, and keeping your store running smoothly, as your business grows.

• You’re struggling to find balance.

When you’re running your business on your own, you’ll find other responsibilities taking a backseat to the needs of your eCommerce business. This can lead to work taking over your personal life and even affecting your overall health. This, of course, is unsustainable.

To help you run your business effectively without risking burnout or losing balance, engaging with a VA is a must. Delegating tasks to a reliable virtual assistant can help you regain control of your schedule and restore a healthier work-life balance.

Key tasks: What can an eCommerce VA do for you?

An eCommerce virtual assistant can handle a wide range of tasks that keep your online store running smoothly. A skilled VA can help with managing your day-to-day operations, engaging with customers, or improving your digital presence. Here are some of the top tasks you can delegate to a VA:

• Administrative support

  • Data entry
  • Email management
  • Calendar management
  • Database management
  • Internet research
  • Personal assistance
  • Inbox management

• Business support

• • Customer service
  • Logistics coordination
  • Lead generation
  • Lead management
  • Supplier coordination
  • Product sourcing

• Marketing assistance

  • Graphic design
  • Copywriting
  • Video editing
  • Social media management
  • Keyword research
  • Email marketing

• Industry-specific support

  • Order fulfillment
  • Listing management
  • Product listing monitoring
  • FBA/FBM management
  • Performance metrics tracking
  • Dropshipping setup
  • Amazon A+ / EBC pages
  • Amazon PPC
  • Conversions tracking

Do you have more specific requirements? Schedule a free consultation call with the 20four7VA team, and we’ll create a tailored VA staffing solution for you!

Hire eCommerce virtual assistant services with 20four7VA

Finding the right VA for your online store is essential if you want to fully enjoy the benefits of virtual staffing. However, handling the search and screening process on your own can be time-consuming and challenging, especially if you’re already managing multiple aspects of your business.

That’s where we, 20four7VA, come in.

As a trusted remote staffing company, 20four7VA connects eCommerce business owners with skilled virtual assistants from around the world. Whether you need help with product listings, customer support, inventory management, or digital marketing, we can match you with a VA who has the right experience and expertise for your online business.

Why choose 20four7VA?

20four7VA is with you every step of the way. Our team of remote staffing experts helps ensure you enjoy the benefits of having a VA without the stress that comes with doing it all on your own. With our award-winning, end-to-end support, you’ll enjoy:

• Free client-eCommerce VA pairing services
• VA onboarding assistance
• VA training and upskilling
• Access to our proprietary time tracking system
• Payment processing
• IT helpdesk support
• Assigned account manager
• And more!

Running an eCommerce business can be fulfilling, but it can also often be overwhelming. Between managing listings, fulfilling orders, answering customer inquiries, and staying on top of marketing trends, you can easily find yourself spread too thin. A specialized eCommerce virtual assistant can provide the dedicated support you need to regain focus and scale effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)