The Top Three Services to Outsource as a Small Business

Running a small business can be difficult at times, particularly if you are only just beginning. There are numerous areas to keep an eye on constantly, and this can be tough if you do not have the relevant experience. This is why some business owners will opt to outsource certain aspects of their small business.

Outsourcing an area of the business means hiring a third party to perform certain tasks or provide services for the company. It can make running the business a little easier. With this in mind, this post lists the top three services to outsource as a small business.

Accounting and Bookkeeping

A small business can often benefit from outsourcing accounting and bookkeeping in a variety of ways. This will involve entrusting a third-party firm or individual to manage the financial tasks and responsibilities of your business rather than hiring an in-house accounting department or team. The external accountant will take over bookkeeping, financial reporting, payroll processing, tax filing, and year-end account preparation.

Hiring an internal accounting team can be a costly endeavor. Your business would be responsible for interviewing, hiring, training, and maintaining relevant employees. This is one reason why a small business would greatly benefit from outsourcing its accounting needs to an external individual or company. Plus, you would be able to select an accounting professional who already has the specialized knowledge required, which will ensure accuracy and compliance with financial regulations.

It is vital for your business to find a reputable accounting and bookkeeping service, like Simply Counted & Tax, and this can be achieved with plenty of research. There are several factors to look out for, such as communication style, experience, the range of services offered, and so on. A good place to start is with the third-party service’s website. For example, Simply Counted & Tax, as previously mentioned, lists all of its services on its homepage to allow potential clients easy access to information.

Logistics and Supply Chain

Another area of your small business to outsource is logistics and supply chain operations, particularly if your sales are primarily made online. The logistics of a business can take significant effort and time, and this can eat into time that should be spent completing other tasks. Outsourcing to a third-party logistics provider (3PL) can offload supply chain operations, including warehousing, distribution, and transportation, and free up your workforce.

The logistics and supply chain operations of a small business can be complicated at times, so you will have access to expertise by outsourcing. A 3PL will possess expert knowledge in logistics, supply chain management, and technology, and this can be incredibly valuable for a small business. This will improve the efficiency of the entire process as 3PLs will have experience as well as advanced technology, which can advance order accuracy and reduce shipping times.

You will need to define your goals and requirements before searching for a 3PL, as this will give you a better chance of finding a relevant partner. Finding a third-party logistics provider that aligns with your business objectives and values and fits in your price range should be the priority.

Marketing and PR

Marketing can be a difficult aspect of running a business to master, especially if you are just starting out. Similar to accounting and bookkeeping, marketing and public relations (PR) can be daunting if you have little to no experience. You do not want to fail at this, especially as brand awareness and reputation depend on these aspects, so it is useful to outsource.

When you opt to outsource marketing and PR to an external provider, you must make sure the company you choose is professional. You can determine this by researching potential outsourcing partners and identifying which companies will help you best. Communicating your expectations when discussing your needs with external marketers is advised, and be prepared to adjust strategies if needed.

To conclude, there are numerous aspects of a small business that could be outsourced to ensure you succeed. As outlined in this post, the top three areas to outsource include accounting and bookkeeping, logistics and supply chain, and marketing and PR.