The rise of eCommerce opened up a world of opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to start their businesses. However, building a successful eCommerce company requires a strong team. Creating a remote team has become a popular option as the world becomes more connected.
After all, there are more wins if you invest in a remote team. For one, you get to tap into a global pool of talents. You’re no longer limited to exploring skills in your area. Diverse talents equate to different sources of ideas critical for your company’s growth. You also get to bring your products and services to the locality of your people.
In short, building a remote eCommerce team is a win for your business. But how do you create one? Read on.
Guide to Building a Remote Team for Your eCommerce Business
Building a remote team for your eCommerce business has its challenges. However, it can be as successful as a traditional in-person team with the right approach and tools. Here’s how you can have a remote team built for success.
Define Business Goals
Before you start building your remote team, start with defining your goals. Have a clear idea of what you want to achieve for your business. What are you trying to achieve with your eCommerce business? How will your remote team help you achieve those goals?
Defining your business goals will help you determine the skills and expertise you need from your remote team. This way, you only hire people with the correct set of skills that will bring results. When starting, you want to focus on your core team members first. Your business goals and how you plan to achieve them will depend on who you will have on your team.
Build Your Team
Once you’ve defined your business goals, it’s time to build your remote team. The first step is to determine the roles and responsibilities you need to fill. These could include customer service, marketing, web design, and software development. You can find remote workers through online job boards, social media, or by using a recruitment agency.
It’s essential to thoroughly vet your candidates before hiring them. You can check references, review their work samples, and conduct interviews. For example, do a content writing test to check if their writing matches your target audience and only requires minimal editing. It’s also a good idea to have a trial period to ensure they’re a good fit for your team.
Invest in Thorough Onboarding Process
Once you’ve hired your remote team members, invest in a thorough onboarding process. This process will help new team members understand your company’s culture, values, and expectations. It should include training on the tools and systems they’ll use and clear guidelines on their roles and responsibilities.
An onboarding checklist is an effective way to onboard your remote team members. This checklist should cover how to access company systems, communicate with team members, and report progress on their work.
Studies have shown that onboarding increases employee retention and productivity by 82% and 70%, respectively. These numbers are critical, especially for a new company. Remember that retaining an employee is more cost-effective than hiring and training a new one.
Establish Collaboration and Communication Tools
One of the biggest challenges of managing a remote team is ensuring effective communication and collaboration. Use collaboration and communication tools that enable your team members to work seamlessly.
Some popular collaboration tools include Trello, Asana, and Basecamp, which allow team members to track tasks, share files, and communicate in real-time. For communication, tools like Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams are well-received by most employees.
If you have team members working in different time zones, clear communication guidelines and protocols are a must. They ensure your remote team members stay connected and on the same page. Set a communication window when everyone should be online.
Develop a Team Culture
A strong team culture is essential for building a successful remote team. While it can be more challenging to establish a team culture when everyone is working remotely, it’s still possible with the right approach.
Having regular team-building activities is an effective way to develop a team culture. These include virtual coffee breaks, team lunches, or online games. The key to success is to have core values that all team members can align with and strive to uphold. A survey found that 78% value companies with supportive work cultures. Start recognizing and rewarding your team members for their hard work and accomplishments.
Key Takeaways
Building a remote team for your eCommerce business comes with challenges. You can beat the odds by employing the right approach. Before you know it, you already have a winning remote team.
To build a successful remote team, you must:
- Define your business goals
- Build a strong team
- Invest in a thorough onboarding process
- Establish effective communication and collaboration tools
- Develop a strong team culture
