Globalize Your Marketing: 4 Reasons to Outsource Services Overseas
Imagine you have a bakery business that specializes in cupcakes. You usually sell them at your small shop, but you have started to receive orders from other cities. You have more orders than you can fulfill, and you want to grow your business to neighboring states. What will you do? You could open more branches, but that’s expensive. You could hire more bakers, but that’s more work for you. The smartest decision is to outsource some tasks, such as creating your website, managing social media accounts, or handling customer service. You can find skilled professionals who can do it for you, and save money and time. That’s where outsourcing comes into play. In this post, we will explain what outsourcing is, why it’s beneficial, and how to outsource services overseas effectively.
Introduction
In the era of globalization, businesses of all sizes are looking for ways to expand their reach, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. One way to achieve those goals is by outsourcing services overseas. Outsourcing refers to the practice of hiring a third-party company or individual to perform a task or a series of tasks that are typically done in-house or locally. Outsourcing can take many forms, such as offshoring, nearshoring, or onshoring, depending on the location of the outsourcing provider and the client. In this post, we will focus on offshoring, which means hiring a company or a person that is located in a different country than yours. Offshoring has become popular in recent years due to the availability of skilled labor, lower wages, and the advancement of technology. In the following sections, we will discuss four reasons why outsourcing services overseas could be beneficial for your business.
1. Lower Costs
One of the most obvious benefits of outsourcing is that it can help you reduce costs. By hiring a company or a person from a country with a lower cost of living or a weaker currency, you can pay less for the same services or even get higher quality services for the same price. For example, if you live in the United States and hire a web designer from India, you might pay $20-$30 per hour, while a local designer might charge you $50-$100 per hour. The difference in price can be significant, especially if you have large projects or ongoing tasks.
Outsourcing services overseas can also help you save money on infrastructure, equipment, software, and training. For instance, if you need a software developer, you might have to invest in expensive equipment and licenses, and spend time training them. If you outsource the task to a company that already has the necessary resources, you don’t have to pay for them.
2. Access to Talent
Another advantage of outsourcing services overseas is that it gives you access to a pool of talent that you might not find locally. Some countries have a high number of skilled professionals in certain fields, such as IT, engineering, customer service, or design. By outsourcing services to those countries, you can benefit from their expertise and experience. You can also find professionals who speak multiple languages, which can be useful if you have a diverse clientele.
Moreover, outsourcing services can help you free up your in-house staff and give them more time to focus on core business tasks. If you have a small team but a large workload, outsourcing can help you balance the workload and avoid burnout.
3. Faster Turnaround
Outsourcing services overseas can help you get tasks done faster and more efficiently. Depending on the time zone difference, you can assign tasks at the end of your workday, and wake up to find them completed. For example, if you live in New York and hire a team in India, you can assign tasks at 5 p.m. in New York time, and by the time you wake up, the team in India has already started working on them for several hours. This can save you a lot of time and help you meet deadlines.
Moreover, outsourcing can help you benefit from the latest technology and trends that are prevalent in other countries. For example, if you hire a social media manager from a country where a particular platform is popular, they can help you tap into that market and grow your audience.
4. Improved Quality
Last but not least, outsourcing services overseas can help you improve the quality of your services. If you hire a reputable company or individual, they can bring their knowledge, skills, and experience to your project and enhance its quality. Many outsourcing providers have a quality assurance process that ensures that the work is up to standard.
Moreover, outsourcing can help you diversify your team and get fresh perspectives on your business. If you only hire people from your local area, you might miss out on some cultural insights or nuances that can be useful in marketing or branding. Outsourcing can help you broaden your horizons and connect with people from different backgrounds.
FAQs
1. What are the benefits of outsourcing services overseas?
Outsourcing services overseas can help you lower costs, access talent, get tasks done faster, and improve quality.
2. What services can I outsource overseas?
You can outsource many services overseas, such as web design, software development, customer service, marketing, social media management, graphic design, and administrative tasks.
3. How do I find a reputable outsourcing provider?
You can find an outsourcing provider through online platforms, such as Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer, or through referrals from colleagues or friends. Make sure to check their reviews, ratings, portfolios, and credentials before hiring them.
4. How do I communicate with my outsourcing provider?
You can communicate with your outsourcing provider through email, chat, video conferencing, or project management tools, such as Asana, Trello, or Monday. It’s essential to establish clear communication guidelines, such as deadlines, expectations, and feedback.
5. How do I manage my outsourcing team?
You can manage your outsourcing team by providing clear instructions, setting attainable goals, providing feedback, and creating a positive work environment. Make sure to treat your outsourcing team with respect and appreciation, as they are essential to your business.
6. How do I pay my outsourcing provider?
You can pay your outsourcing provider through online payment methods, such as PayPal, Payoneer, or TransferWise. Make sure to agree on a payment schedule and method before starting the project.
7. How do I ensure the security of my data and information?
You can ensure the security of your data and information by signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with your outsourcing provider, using secure file-sharing tools, and limiting access to sensitive information. It’s crucial to trust your outsourcing provider and build a relationship based on transparency and integrity.
Conclusion
Outsourcing services overseas can be a smart decision for businesses of all sizes, as it can help them reduce costs, access talent, get tasks done faster, and improve quality. However, it’s essential to choose a reputable outsourcing provider, communicate effectively, manage the outsourcing team well, and ensure the security of data and information. By following these guidelines, you can unlock the benefits of outsourcing and take your business to the next level. Don’t hesitate to explore the opportunities that outsourcing can offer.