Working remotely – A smarter way to manage your ecommerce business

The world of ecommerce is rapidly evolving, and businesses need to keep up with the changes to stay competitive. One trend that’s gaining momentum is remote work.

With advances in technology and communication tools, it’s now easier than ever to manage an ecommerce business remotely.  

In fact, working remotely can be a smarter way to run your ecommerce business. It allows you to access a global pool of talent, reduce overhead costs, and provide more flexibility for you and your team.  

In this article, we’ll explore the advantages of remote work for ecommerce businesses, the different types of ecommerce remote jobs available, useful tools for better productivity, and many more. 

So, let’s dive in and discover why remote work is the way forward for ecommerce entrepreneurs. 

Advantages of remote work for ecommerce businesses 

1. Reduced costs 

Remote work can significantly reduce the overhead costs associated with maintaining a physical office.  

Ecommerce businesses can save money on office space, utilities, and other expenses.  

This cost reduction can be especially beneficial for small ecommerce businesses that may not have the resources to maintain a physical office. 

2. Increased productivity 

It has been shown to increase productivity. Remote workers can often be more productive than their in-office counterparts due to fewer distractions, reduced commuting time, and the ability to set their own schedules.  

Remote employees, as per Hubstaff’s data, not only allocate more time to focused work but also experience 18% fewer interruptions, saving an estimated 61.88 hours of regained work time annually compared to their in-office counterparts.

Remote workers are also less likely to take sick days or time off, as they can work from home if they are feeling unwell.  

3. Access to a global talent pool 

It allows ecommerce businesses to access a global talent pool, rather than being limited by geographic location.  

By fostering a talent community, businesses can proactively engage with skilled professionals, ensuring they have access to the best candidates for their unique needs.

This can be especially beneficial for ecommerce businesses that require specific skills or expertise that may be difficult to find in their local area.  

By hiring remote workers, ecommerce businesses can access the best talent from around the world.  

4. Improved work-life balance 

Remote work can provide employees with greater flexibility to balance their personal and professional lives.  

Remote workers can often work during hours that are more convenient for them, allowing them to attend to personal matters without sacrificing work productivity.  

This flexibility can lead to a better work-life balance, which can result in happier and more motivated employees. 

5. Enhanced employee satisfaction and retention 

It is often seen as a perk by employees, leading to higher levels of job satisfaction and retention. 

Employees who can work remotely often feel trusted and valued by their employer, which can lead to a greater sense of loyalty to the company.

To further support remote employees and boost their sense of appreciation, consider using a kudos app to regularly recognize their contributions and celebrate their successes.

This can result in higher retention rates and a more motivated workforce. 

Types of ecommerce remote jobs 

1. Customer service representative 

Customer service representatives are an essential part of any ecommerce business.  

They help customers with their orders, answer questions, and handle any issues that may arise. 

Remote customer service representatives typically communicate with customers via phone, email, or chat, helping and resolving issues.  

This position requires excellent communication skills, patience, and problem-solving abilities. 

2. Virtual assistant 

Virtual assistants provide administrative and organizational support to ecommerce businesses.  

They handle tasks such as scheduling, data entry, email management, and other administrative duties.  

Remote virtual assistants work from home and are often responsible for managing multiple projects simultaneously, making organization and time-management skills essential. 

3. Social Media Manager 

Social media managers are responsible for managing or creating content for ecommerce businesses‘ social media accounts, as well as engaging with customers and growing their social media following.  

This position requires creative skills to create engaging content and strong communication skills to engage with customers effectively.  

Remote social media managers use various tools to schedule content, analyze data, and monitor engagement on social media platforms. 

4. Content writer 

Content writers create blog posts, product descriptions, and other written content for ecommerce businesses.  

They must have excellent writing skills, a strong understanding of search engine optimization (SEO), and the ability to write in a brand’s voice.  

Remote content writers typically work from home, collaborating with other team members to produce high-quality content. 

5. Graphic designer 

Graphic designers create visual content such as product images, logos, and website graphics for ecommerce businesses.  

They must have a strong understanding of design principles, branding, and user experience.  

Remote graphic designers use various tools such as Adobe Creative Suite to design and produce high-quality visuals. 

6. Web developer 

Web developers create as well as maintain ecommerce businesses’ websites, ensuring they are functional and visually appealing.

They provide essential web development services to build and optimize these platforms.

They must have strong technical skills in programming languages such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, as well as knowledge of ecommerce platforms such as Shopify or WooCommerce.  

Remote web developers work from home, collaborating with other team members to ensure the website’s functionality and design meet the business’s goals. 

7. Digital Marketer 

Digital marketers use various tactics such as email marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing to promote ecommerce businesses and drive sales.  

They must have a strong understanding of marketing principles, data analysis, and consumer behavior.  

Remote digital marketers work from home, collaborating with other team members to develop and execute marketing campaigns that meet the business’s goals. 

Tips for managing a remote ecommerce team 

1. Use communication and collaboration tools 

When managing a remote ecommerce team, effective communication and collaboration are critical. 

Remote teams can stay connected and aligned by utilizing communication and collaboration tools such as Slack, Zoom, Google Meet, and Asana.  

These tools facilitate real-time communication, file sharing, and project management, making it easier to stay in sync and work together effectively. 

2. Set clear expectations and goals 

Remote employees need to know what is expected of them and what goals they are working towards.

Also, implementing time tracker software can help remote employees stay organized and meet deadlines efficiently.  

Managers should provide clear instructions on specific tasks, deadlines, and performance metrics.  

Establishing clear expectations helps remote employees stay focused, understand their responsibilities, and deliver high-quality work. 

3. Establish regular check-ins and meetings 

Regular check-ins and meetings are essential to keeping remote ecommerce teams on track and addressing any issues that may arise.  

Managers should schedule regular check-ins and meetings to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goals and to provide support as needed.  

These regular check-ins can be in the form of daily stand-ups or weekly check-ins, allowing remote team members to share updates, discuss challenges, and provide feedback. 

4. Provide training and support  

Remote employees need the necessary training as well as support to succeed in their roles and feel connected to the company.  

Managers can benefit from employee engagement training, which provides them with actionable techniques to build team connections and maintain morale in distributed teams.

This training enables them to deliver targeted support through online resources and personalized coaching, fostering growth and engagement among remote employees.

By investing in their professional development, managers can strengthen remote employee engagement.

Additionally, companies can offer localized training programs for remote workers to enhance effectiveness and promote inclusivity and diversity.

5. Foster a positive team culture 

Creating a positive team culture is crucial to promoting collaboration, recognition, and appreciation among remote ecommerce team members.  

Managers should encourage team members to celebrate successes as well as recognize each other’s contributions, creating a positive and supportive work environment.  

By fostering a positive team culture, managers can help remote employees feel more engaged, motivated, and connected to the company. 

Useful tools for better productivity in ecommerce remote jobs 

1. Time-tracking and productivity tools 

One of the biggest challenges of remote work is managing time effectively.  

To help with this, there are many time-tracking and productivity tools available.  

Toggl is a popular time-tracking tool that allows remote workers to track their time on specific tasks and projects. It provides detailed reports that can help identify time-wasters and areas for improvement. 

Another great option is My Hours, which helps remote teams monitor time spent on various projects while offering detailed reporting features for better productivity insights.

Workstatus is a workforce management tool that helps businesses and individuals stay productive. It provides real-time updates on task progress, employee activities, and overall efficiency, making it easier to track work and improve performance.

RescueTime is another productivity tool that tracks time spent on different websites and apps, providing insights into how remote workers are spending their time. 

FactoHR is another great tool that empowers businesses to take charge of their time management with its automated timesheet management and real-time project tracking capabilities.

This translates to increased productivity, improved cost-efficiency, and valuable team workflow insights.

2. Project management and task-tracking tools 

With remote work, it’s essential to have tools that help teams stay organized and on track.  

Project management and task-tracking tools like Asana and Trello can help ecommerce remote teams manage their projects and tasks effectively.  

Asana allows users to create tasks, assign them to team members, set deadlines, and track progress. 

Trello, on the other hand, uses a Kanban-style system to help teams organize their tasks into boards, lists, and cards. 

3. Cloud storage and file-sharing tools 

Remote teams need a way to collaborate and share files effectively.  

Cloud storage and file-sharing tools like Google Drive and Dropbox can make this process seamless. 

Google Drive allows remote teams to create, store, and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in the cloud.  

With Dropbox, remote teams can share files and folders with each other, making it easy to collaborate on projects from anywhere. 

4. Communication and collaboration tools 

Effective communication and collaboration are essential for remote teams.  

Communication tools like Slack and Zoom can help remote teams stay connected and communicate effectively.  

Slack is a messaging platform that allows remote teams to send messages, share files, and collaborate in real-time.  

Zoom is a video conferencing tool that allows remote teams to hold virtual meetings and share screens.  

Other tools like Google Meet and Microsoft Teams can also help remote teams stay connected and collaborate effectively. 

5. Password management tools 

With remote work, it’s essential to keep sensitive information secure.  

Password management tools like LastPass and Dashlane can help remote workers keep track of their passwords and protect their accounts.  

These tools generate strong passwords, store them securely, and fill them in automatically when needed. 

Challenges of ecommerce remote jobs and how to overcome them 

1. Communication barriers 

One of the biggest challenges of ecommerce remote jobs, such as executive assistant to CEO jobs, is the communication barriers that can occur due to the absence of face-to-face interaction.

This can result in misunderstandings, delays, and mistakes that can impact productivity and project outcomes.  

To overcome this challenge, it is important to use communication tools like Slack, Zoom, and Google Meet to stay connected with your remote team members.  

You can also consider providing co-working space membership to your remote employees.

Schedule regular check-ins, establish clear communication guidelines, and ensure that everyone is on the same page. 

2. Time zone differences 

Ecommerce businesses often operate on a global scale, which means that remote team members may be in different time zones.  

This can make it challenging to coordinate meetings and work schedules.  

To overcome this challenge, consider using tools like WorldTimeBuddy and Every Time Zone to manage time differences and coordinate work schedules.  

You can also establish clear expectations around work schedules and availability to ensure that everyone is on the same page. 

3. Lack of supervision 

Remote workers may feel isolated or unsupported, which can impact their better productivity and motivation.  

To overcome this challenge, it is important to provide regular feedback and support to your remote team members.  

Schedule regular check-ins and provide ongoing training and development opportunities to help your team members grow and improve. 

4. Difficulty in building relationships 

Remote workers may feel disconnected from the rest of the team and find it challenging to build relationships.  

To overcome this challenge, create opportunities for team members to interact and get to know each other.  

Utilizing meeting room booking software for in-person or hybrid events can help facilitate these interactions, as physical meetups are important for strengthening relationships and building a sense of community.

Schedule virtual team-building activities, such as online games, quizzes, or video calls, to help build relationships and foster a sense of community. 

Additionally, for remote teams, having structured processes and and utilizing IT asset lifecycle management tools for tasks like retrieving laptops from employees when off-boarding or equipment upgrades are necessary can maintain accountability and ensure smooth transitions.

Strategies for overcoming these challenges 

To overcome these challenges, establish clear communication guidelines, use productivity tools, provide regular feedback and support, and create opportunities for team members to interact and build relationships. 

Hiring for ecommerce remote jobs 

Where to find remote workers 

You can find remote workers through online job boards, recruitment portals, social media platforms like LinkedIn, and professional networks like Upwork and Fiverr.  

Make sure to specify that you are hiring for a remote position and be clear about your expectations and requirements. 

How to conduct interviews and assessments 

Conduct virtual interviews using video conferencing tools like Zoom or Google Meet.  

Ask behavioral questions that focus on the candidate’s experience with remote work, communication skills, and ability to work independently.  

Consider using assessments and tests to evaluate the candidate’s technical skills. 

Factors to consider when selecting candidates  

Look for candidates who have experience with remote work, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently.  

Consider factors like time zone compatibility, cultural fit, and availability when selecting candidates. 

Conclusion 

Working remotely has become a popular and effective way to manage an ecommerce business.  

It allows you to hire talent from anywhere in the world, reduces overhead costs, and provides flexibility and work-life balance for you and your team.  

With the right tools and communication strategies, remote teams can collaborate just as effectively as in-person teams, if not more so.  

As the world becomes increasingly digital and interconnected, remote work is poised to become the new norm.  

So, if you haven’t already embraced this smarter way of managing your ecommerce business, now is the time to do so.