As your business grows, it will become more complicated and will likely need more people to function properly. This is a big step, especially if you’re transitioning from running a business alone to hiring employees.

Employees are incredibly helpful, but they’re also expensive and make things even more complicated. You have to sign a contract and you’re often tied to an employee unless something goes very wrong or after a contract period. You also have to pay extra fees like benefits, sick pay, holiday pay, and insurance. This is where outsourcing can be very helpful for certain tasks.

When to Outsource

There are pros and cons to outsourcing. A contractor usually has higher hourly rates than an employee, but they generally won’t work as many hours as someone who is salaried. This means that, for certain tasks that don’t need to be worked on all the time, a contractor works out cheaper than hiring an employee just for a job they will barely end up doing.

You can also access services at a higher level for much cheaper than hiring a dedicated team. The main alternative is to try to handle these tasks yourself or to get your untrained employees to do it. The latter option isn’t fair on your employees who are being asked to do things outside their job description, and both options can lead to a lower quality of work.

Here are a few situations where it’s better to outsource rather than do it yourself or hire a dedicated employee.

Bookkeeping and Accounting 

It is very important to get your bookkeeping done properly, as this is how you keep track of your finances. As well as helping you to inform future purchases, proper bookkeeping comes in very handy when it’s time to do your taxes.

Mistakes on your taxes can lead to added expenses, fines, and missed opportunities. So it’s important to use a bookkeeper to keep track of your income and expenses, and a tax accountant to fill out your business tax returns.

Customer Support

It’s best to keep the lines of communication open between you and your customers, especially if they have concerns or complaints. Good customer service means that you will have happier customers who are more likely to come back.

Your team might not be able to handle all of the calls, so outsourcing to a call center can help lessen the load.

IT Services

IT services are important, but you only notice when there’s an actual problem. It’s a job with a lot of downtime between repairs and updates. So, it’s better to use an IT service provider who can provide you with round-the-clock support as and when you need it.

Cleaning

A clean office is a healthy and happy office. People don’t like to work in an untidy environment and it reflects badly on your company. A commercial cleaning company can keep on top of your office space and make sure that it’s always suitable for the working day.