Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Outsourcing Your Online Business Workings - Smart? Or Lazy?

By: Maria Porter



The American Heritage Dictionary defines outsourcing as: To send out (work, for example) to an outside provider or manufacturer in order to cut costs.

In my opinion, it may not be so much, in order to cut costs, as to send out work to hire experts in a field in which you may not be one.

Time is money, and if one is to utilize both efficiently, would it not be smart to outsource:

1. Web development
2. Marketing
3. Search engine submission
4. Lead generation
5. Direct phone contact
6. Customer service
7. Training
8. Duplication

The small business owner may feel that he needs to do everything, as he may feel that hiring or outsourcing a particular function of his business, may lead to less control or be outside of his budget.But are we all experts in all aspects of owning, running and the workings of a business?I would not even contemplate doing my own taxes; I am not an expert in the field. I save money by hiring a tax accountant.

Why would I think I am an expert in all the other aspects of running my business?Personally I would never attempt to work on my teeth. This is an obvious one, unless I was a trained dentist. I do not possess the skill or the training. However I choose to have my home cleaned and my yard worked on by a yard service. I do not feel that I am lazy in hiring help as my time means more to me than the wages I pay.Could it be that those in a home business feel that they must wear many hats because they feel that they can not afford to pay for outside expert help, or do they in fact feel that they would be lazy to hire help?

'Workings' is defined as 'repeated movement or strain tending to loosen a structural assembly or part'.All business owners feel at one time or another that we are doing repeated movements or activities. Would these movements be better served if they were performed by others with more skill than us? This would also free our time to be more productive in a different function of our business where we do have the skill?

In the long term are we wasting time, money and stunting our growth?

If time is money and growth can bring in money, why do so many in home businesses shun from the thought of outsourcing?

In my opinion it is the initial outlay of funds and the fear of wasting money if we feel that we are able to sort of perform the function.But it may not be so smart?

It may be that we feel that only big businesses can afford to outsource. With freelancing available in all aspects of marketing and development, outsourcing is now affordable and available to the masses.In the long term, one may not afford to run a business without subcontracting help.

If you are thinking of outsourcing, as with anything, ask for referrals and references from others who have used services to grow or manage their businesses.

About the Author:Entrepreneur. Maria Porter has been Online since 2000.Specializing in Coastal Vacations Business Opportunity full time since 2001. She is also the creator of http://www.2ezbiz.orgRead more articles by: Maria Porter Article Source: www.iSnare.com