Table of Contents
- 1. Customer Service
- 2. Order Processing
- 3. Handling Returns
- 4. Fraud Checks
- 5. Product Data
- 6. Marketplace Admin
- 7. Stock Updates
- 8. Social Media Replies
- 9. Tech Support
- 10. Research & Insights
- Why Retailers Choose Outsourcing
- Picking the Right Partner
- E-commerce Outsourcing That Scales With You
Running an online store isn’t just about selling. There’s the late-night customer query that lands while you’re finally sitting down for dinner. The pile of returns waiting to be processed. The stock numbers that never quite match what’s actually in the warehouse. For every sale that feels like a win, there are hours of admin pulling you away from the bigger picture.
That’s where outsourcing comes in. The smartest retailers don’t try to do it all themselves, they hand over the time-consuming jobs to specialists and focus on what moves the needle: sales, marketing, and growth.
Here are ten e-commerce tasks that make the biggest difference when you outsource them.
1. Customer Service
Customers expect answers fast, whether they message you on Instagram, send an email, or pick up the phone. Miss one, and they might head straight to a competitor. Outsourced teams are built to handle that flow. They respond quickly, stay polite under pressure, and keep the conversation moving even when volumes spike.
Happy customers stick around. That alone makes this one of the first areas worth outsourcing.
2. Order Processing
Every order creates a little chain reaction. Payment confirmed. Address checked. Stock deducted. Shipping label printed. Tracking sent. It’s manageable at ten orders a day. At a hundred or a thousand, it’s chaos.
By outsourcing order processing, you make sure each step gets done properly. Customers get what they paid for, and your in-house team isn’t drowning in admin.
3. Handling Returns
Returns aren’t fun for anyone. Customers want them resolved instantly, while your team is already busy dealing with new sales. Outsourcing returns means authorisations, refunds, and exchanges get processed without becoming a bottleneck.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s the kind of job that decides whether a shopper gives you another chance.
4. Fraud Checks
One bad transaction can cost you hours of stress and lost revenue. Fraudsters are clever, and manual checks only catch so much. Outsourced fraud monitoring brings in trained people and better tools to spot dodgy orders before they go through.
Less risk. Fewer chargebacks. More peace of mind.
5. Product Data
Adding new products sounds simple until you’re staring at a spreadsheet of SKUs, images, descriptions, and categories. Multiply that by hundreds and it becomes a full-time role. Outsourced product data teams keep your catalogue tidy, consistent, and optimised for both customers and search engines.
When your listings are accurate and clear, conversions naturally climb.
6. Marketplace Admin
Selling through Amazon, eBay, or other platforms is a no-brainer for reach — but the admin is relentless. Listings, pricing, customer messages, disputes, shipping… it never ends. Outsourcing this side of the business lets you expand into marketplaces without stretching your in-house team too thin.
It’s a straightforward way to scale without breaking your own systems.
7. Stock Updates
There’s nothing worse than selling an item you don’t actually have. Overselling creates headaches for staff and frustration for customers. Outsourced stock management keeps numbers accurate across all channels, reducing errors and saving those awkward apology emails.
Better accuracy means happier shoppers and cleaner operations.
8. Social Media Replies
Social isn’t just for marketing. It’s also where customers ask questions, complain, and sometimes even order. Keeping on top of those messages around the clock is a job in itself. Outsourced social media support means someone is always there to reply, protect your reputation, and turn casual interactions into sales.
It’s the modern version of good shop-floor service.
9. Tech Support
A login problem, a checkout glitch, or a payment that won’t go through can cost you a sale instantly. Outsourced technical support gives customers quick help when something goes wrong, without dragging your IT staff away from bigger projects.
Fast fixes mean fewer abandoned carts and more completed checkouts.
10. Research & Insights
Retail decisions should be driven by data, but digging into market trends, competitor moves, and customer behaviour takes serious time. Outsourced research teams can gather, analyse, and present insights you can act on.
It’s the difference between guessing and making informed moves that grow your sales.
Why Retailers Choose Outsourcing
E-commerce never really sleeps. Sales spike at unpredictable times, customers want replies in minutes, and admin tasks pile up faster than most in-house teams can handle. Outsourcing gives you breathing space. It adds skilled people where you need them most, scales up during peak periods, and keeps costs in check compared to hiring full-time staff.
At Consumer Links, we manage outsourcing for retailers across the UK and beyond. Our UK team keeps strategy tight and communication clear, while our South African delivery centres provide efficient, cost-effective support across every channel.
Picking the Right Partner
Not all outsourcing providers deliver the same standard. When you’re choosing who to trust, look for:
- A proven track record with retail brands.
- Ability to cover multiple channels: phone, email, chat, and social.
- Flexible team sizes that grow with seasonal demand.
- Clear reporting so you always know what’s happening.
- A UK management presence to keep everything aligned with your goals.
E-commerce Outsourcing That Scales With You
The most successful retailers know when to focus their energy and when to bring in support. With Consumer Links, you get e-commerce outsourcing that grows with your business, from customer service to order processing, returns, and more.
To start your Consumer Links business outsourcing journey, get in touch with our team today.
