If you’re looking to build a remote eCommerce team, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.
Remember that this is not an easy process. You will need to set up your virtual office and train your employees to work together effectively before they can perform at their peak level.
Still, the benefits are worth the investment.
Importance of Building a Remote eCommerce Team
Remote teams are a great way to reach more customers. Online shopping is growing. Last year alone, 268 million US consumers shopped online, and it’s expected to reach 285 million by 2025. This trend isn’t confined to the US. Global eCommerce is projected to reach $58.74 trillion within five years. The best way to keep up with this trend is by having a remote team anywhere in the world.
Here are some advantages of having a remote team:
Access to Global Talent Pool
With an increasingly competitive job market, looking for team members with specific skills they can use for their online shops can be challenging. They may have the right person, but they live far away.
It isn’t practice to request them to relocate. The only solution is to explore remote work. That’s why organizations that hire remote workers have the advantage of a diverse talent pool. They can employ those living in different places and leverage their skills.
Incorporating eCommerce virtual assistants into your remote team taps into the global talent pool, bringing specialized skills directly to your online business. These professionals enhance team diversity and flexibility, vital for thriving in the dynamic eCommerce landscape.
Better Productivity
Teams given the flexibility to work wherever they feel comfortable open up opportunities to improve the efficiency of eCommerce stores. Team members are more productive since they are not subject to the same distractions as in-office teams. With no commuting to worry about, remote teams can focus on the task at hand and work more efficiently.
Additionally, remote eCommerce teams can work outside traditional business hours, allowing for increased flexibility and collaboration.
Cost-Effective Operations
Remote teams provide cost-effective operations by eliminating overhead expenses such as office space, equipment, and other related costs. Remote employees have fewer associated costs, such as transportation, communication, and other related fees.
Since the employees report in different time zones, it’s easier to provide services efficiently. As a result, remote teams can provide high-quality services without incurring the same costs associated with traditional in-house teams.
Overall, the benefits of building remote eCommerce teams are clear. By offering greater productivity, lower labor costs, improved customer service, and increased customer satisfaction, businesses can quickly and easily scale their eCommerce operations and increase their profits.
Tips for Building a High-Performing Remote eCommerce Team
Here are some tips for building a strong, high-performing remote eCommerce team:
Hire the Right People
You’ll need to interview many people before you find the right candidate. You’ll want to ensure that your new hire is culturally compatible with your company and its values. This is on top of identifying if they have the skills and knowledge needed for the position.
Onboard and Train
Onboarding and training are easily one of the most overlooked aspects of building a team. Onboarding includes providing team members with clear job descriptions, company policies and procedures, and resources for technology and software. It’s also the time for employees and organizations to gauge whether they are the right fit for each other.
Onboarding shouldn’t be limited to the company and team introductions. Most HR experts believe that onboarding should last for three months.
Training should focus on communication protocols, team-building activities, and skills necessary to perform the job efficiently. Provide regular training opportunities to ensure team members are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed.
With proper onboarding and training, remote teams can achieve significant productivity and efficiency, making them valuable assets to any organization.
Communicate Company Values
Company values should serve as the guiding principle for your organization. You need to articulate the message in a way that resonates with everyone on your team.
Avoid crafting generalized company values. Make sure that yours is aligned and understood by everyone on the team. Mention the company values during the hiring and onboarding process.
Establish Roles
Before building a remote eCommerce team, it is crucial to establish clear roles and responsibilities. Remote eCommerce teams may sometimes get caught up in the operations. It’s common to forget that some team members are taking on tasks that aren’t part of their responsibilities.
It happens, but it shouldn’t become a permanent thing as this will cause poor job satisfaction.
Practice Open Communication
Remote teams often work in different time zones. Don’t let this time difference get in the way of maintaining open communication within your team.
Establish a communication window. Setting a specific time to communicate helps foster respect for each other’s time. It also improves processes within team members so they can set expectations when they can receive a response to their questions or concerns.
Leverage the Power of Technology
One way to maintain open communication is by leveraging the power of technology. Use an internal messaging system to facilitate collaboration more efficiently. Instant messaging channels allow everyone to stay on the same page despite being in different time zones.
Explore cloud-sharing platforms to streamline file sharing. Project management tools are also great for facilitating task assignments and completion.
Develop Team Focused Initiatives
Remote workers are prone to feeling isolated. Avoid this by hosting events throughout the year to keep the company culture alive. With technology, doing virtual team building activities is possible.
Here’s what you can do:
- Create a social space for teams: Communication channels shouldn’t only be for work. Have a separate chat where everyone can share non-work-related tidbits and anecdotes. Allow team members to share their hobbies and interests. Before you know it, you’ll be able to find common ground among your team members that you can leverage.
- Organize icebreaker events: When hosting meetings, don’t forget to start with an icebreaker event to help everyone feel at ease and infuse energy and connection with everyone on the team.
- Introduce digital coffee breaks: Coffee breaks do more than just keep employees caffeinated. They also build relationships and strengthen workplace culture.
Key Takeaways
Building a high-performing remote eCommerce team is a challenging but rewarding task. It requires careful planning, organization, and the right tools to ensure success. However, once you get it right, you enjoy the rewards of satisfied employees, happy customers, and improved ROI.
- Remote teams bring value to eCommerce business
- Get the right talent
- Do onboarding and continuous training
- Communicate company values
- Be clear on the roles and responsibilities
- Maintain open communication
- Use technology
- Invest in virtual collaborations
