It has been estimated that the practice of outsourcing can save a business 60% in operational costs when compared to hiring a new employee. However, for entrepreneurs who have recently started running their own business, the idea of spending money on anything other than the essentials is a bit nerve-wracking. Thankfully, the cost of outsourcing almost any task is now affordable for nearly every budget. This is especially true when you are extremely intentional in selecting the services that you most need, and that will save you both time and money in the long run. To get started, explore three outsourced services that all entrepreneurs should get immediately.
IT services
As published by the Nielsen Norman Group, only “5% of the population has high computer-related abilities, and only a third of people can complete medium-complexity tasks.” If you fall into the 95% of people who lack the skills needed to perform complex technical work on your company’s computers and devices, it is definitely time to outsource IT tasks. Entrepreneur reported earlier this year that 74% of all businesses are now outsourcing these services. Rather than spending hours of your time trying to unsuccessfully solve computer problems or make software updates, hiring an IT professional for several hours a week will likely save you money. To find the right level of service, experts from Coretech recommend that you assess what types of IT work you need completed on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. From there, you can choose the services and programs that will best suit your business.
Graphic design
When it comes to building trust and attracting new customers, the design of your website, marketing materials, and the like matter greatly. If you know that you will soon need a logo, custom web template, or promotional book created, don’t spend hours trying to design something yourself if you have zero experience. Instead, hire a graphic designer as needed to save you time and money, and to deliver professional results. Upwork estimates that the average graphic designer charges $45 per hour. Since many common projects take no more than a few hours, this can quickly add up to a big savings for business owners.
Financial matters
Taxes, payroll, and paying business-related expenses are just a few essential functions that all entrepreneurs must be diligent in doing well. Even a minor mistake (such as a missed tax deduction) can cost a business owner thousands of dollars. That’s why it is crucial to hire a financial professional to take on all of your important financial-related needs. GrowthForce reports that tasks such as bookkeeping can be handled for around $500 per month. Depending on how much time you are currently spending on your business finances, and what tasks you could potentially be making errors on, this expense is almost always worth it.
While it would be ideal, outsourcing every task needed won’t be an option for most entrepreneurs. However, when you know which services will ultimately help you save the most time and money over the long run, you can make the choices that are most effective for your company.
