If there’s a silver lining to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s this: remote work is here to stay.
And with their inherent digital nature, ecommerce businesses are particularly well-positioned to benefit from this paradigm shift.
You can access top talent without a geographical border. Lower your overhead costs. And increase productivity. These benefits of a remote team sound like pure bliss, huh?
But before you can start reaping the benefits of a remote team for your ecommerce business, you need to establish a strong foundation and have the right strategies to pull it all together.
That’s why you’ll want to bookmark this guide. Here we’ll share our top seven tips to help you build a winning remote team that’ll knock your socks off.
From hiring the right people to celebrating your team’s victories, we’ll give you all the insider tips you need to create a cohesive and successful remote workforce.
So are you ready to build a killer remote team for your ecommerce business?
Let’s dive in.
1.Hire the right skill set
Building any team (remote or in-person) from scratch requires time and effort to find the right individuals to add value to your organization.
And hiring is necessary to grow because, at some point, you’re limited in the output you can produce. After all, you only have two hands.
So, it all starts with finding the right people to join your squad (insert the cliche saying about how teamwork makes the dream work).
Here’s what you should look for:
- Ecommerce wizards: You want folks who understand the ins and outs of online selling like the back of their hand.
- Digital marketing gurus: These experts will help you spread the word and drive sales to your virtual doorstep.
- Web development pros: Let’s face it — a great website can make all the difference. These are the people who make the magic happen behind the screens.
But wait, there’s more. Remote work is a unique beast, and you’ll need team members with certain qualities to truly excel: - Self-motivated go-getters: You need people who can take the ball and run with it, even when no one’s watching.
- Communication champs: Crystal-clear communication is crucial, especially when your team is scattered globally.
- Time management masters: Balancing work and life can be challenging when working remotely. Look for individuals who can manage their time effectively and deliver results (without the need for micromanaging).
Remember, it’s all about finding the right mix of talent and teamwork to turn your ecommerce business into a well-oiled machine. But don’t panic if you aren’t hitting every single checkmark.
If candidates are coachable, count them in because they’ll absorb new information like a sponge.
2.Create a recruiting strategy
Alright, now that you know what to look for, let’s chat about how to find those superstars for your remote team.
You’ll need a clever recruiting strategy to bring them on board. Because hiring is a two-way street, and you need to attract candidates to apply to your organization.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Go social: Social media is your friend. Share your job openings on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to grab the attention of potential candidates.
- Job boards and industry forums: Don’t forget to post your positions on popular job boards and niche forums where your ideal candidates hang out.
- Network, network, network: It’s all about who you know. Contact your professional connections and ask if they know any rock stars who’d be a great fit for your team.
- Remote work platforms: Partner with websites and platforms that cater to remote work enthusiasts (FlexJobs, DistantJob, Arc, Remote.co, etc.) That way, you can connect with people interested in working remotely or with experience in this unique work environment.
And don’t forget the importance of the job description. Writing compelling job descriptions is like putting out the perfect bait to reel in the right talent.
Here are a few tips on how to get it right: - Write in a conversational tone that’s easy to read and understand
- Clearly describe the role, key responsibilities, and required skills and experience
- Let candidates know what’s in it for them — flexible hours, opportunities for growth, a supportive team, etc
An enticing job description won’t only attract the right talent, but it can also set the stage for a smooth and productive working relationship.
Remember, first impressions matter — so your recruiting process is your chance to make a lasting one. To help get you started on the right foot, consider investing in HR software to automate mundane, repetitive, and time-consuming administrative HR tasks.
That way, you can track candidate applications, conduct interviews, and send out offer letters in one simple platform. It saves you time, and your candidates don’t have to jump through hoops during recruiting. It’s a win-win.
3. Set clear expectations
Are you ready for the secret sauce for remote work success for your ecommerce business?
And the secret sauce is…drum roll please…transparency and communication.
When your team sits across different time zones (and maybe even continents), being open and honest with one another is an absolute must.
Here’s how to keep everyone on the same page and avoid those pesky misunderstandings:
- Set the stage: From the get-go, make sure everyone knows the expectations. The details matter, including active working hours, communication guidelines, performance goals, and project deadlines. Remember, clarity is king.
- Roles and responsibilities: Like in a sports team, every player has a position. Make sure everyone on your remote team knows their role and what they need to do to help the team score big wins.
- Keep in touch: Regular check-ins and progress updates are like virtual high-fives that help maintain team synergy. Schedule video calls or team meetings to keep everyone informed and motivated. Or simply check in via a quick afternoon call or chat.
It’s not so bad, right? Being transparent and communicative creates a positive environment where everyone feels heard, understood, and appreciated.
So keep those lines of communication open, and watch your remote team flourish.
4.Foster a collaborative culture
When your team members work together like a well-oiled machine, there’s no stopping you.
And collaboration is the oil that keeps your team running smoothly. Here’s how to create a culture that fosters teamwork, even when you’re miles apart:
- Open up: Encourage a work environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts, ideas, and knowledge. After all, two heads are better than one, right?
- Embrace tech: Make technology your BFF. Video calls, instant messaging, and collaboration tools are like virtual bridges that connect your team and keep everyone in sync.
- Welcome questions: Curiosity didn’t kill the cat — it makes your team stronger. Encourage your team members to ask questions, share ideas, and give constructive feedback. That way, you’ll grow and learn together.
- Team-building fun: Who says remote teams can’t have a blast together? Host virtual team-building activities like online scrabble tournaments, happy hours, or trivia nights to help your team bond.
Lay the foundation for a collaborative remote team culture from the start. When everyone’s working together, sharing ideas, and supporting each other, there’s no limit to what your ecommerce business can achieve. Virtual fist bumps all around.
5. Invest in the proper tech stack
You’re only as strong as your weakest link. And if your team is using dial-up internet, you might be in trouble. So, let’s talk about tech.
A top-notch remote team needs the right gadgets and gizmos to conquer the ecommerce world. That sounds expensive, doesn’t it? Don’t worry.
Here’s how to make sure your tech stack is up to the challenge:
- Assess your arsenal: Look at your current tech lineup and see what’s working and what needs an upgrade. For instance, remember that you’ll need payroll software to make international payments on time. If your old software doesn’t offer this solution, it’s a good indication that it’s time for a refresh.
- Must-have tools: Consider investing in some essential software — project management tools like ClickUp or Teamly to keep everyone organized, real-time cloud accounting software like SoftLedger to make smarter financial decisions, security solutions like Bolt to protect your business from fraud, and remote support like TeamViewer or alternatives to TeamViewer to make working remotely much easier for your team members.
- Don’t forget the basics: Your team members need reliable hardware (laptops, headsets, etc.) and a stable internet connection to get their work done.
Also, investing in a cookie consent manager is a clever decision when building the proper tech stack for e-commerce businesses. In today’s digital landscape, where data privacy regulations are more stringent than ever, having a robust solution to manage cookie consent is essential for businesses to operate in compliance and establish trust with their customers.
A cookie consent manager offers numerous benefits that make it a smart investment. Firstly, it ensures legal compliance by providing a streamlined approach to handling cookie consent. With changing regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ePrivacy Directive, businesses must obtain explicit user consent for cookies.
It also provides a centralized platform for managing and maintaining cookie consent across multiple websites and platforms. This eliminates the need for manual coordination and communication among team members spread across different locations.
It’s all about working smarter, not harder. Use technology to your advantage to boost productivity and gain a competitive advantage. If necessary, use apps to keep track of work hours to help streamline your entire time tracking and management process for your remote team as well.
6. Build a robust training program
Like Mikaela Shiffrin training for every World Cup race, your remote team needs a solid program to prepare them for action.
Onboarding and continuous learning are the keys to success when building a remote team for your ecommerce business. Practice makes perfect and it keeps your employees motivated.
Here’s how to build a training program that packs a punch:
- Cover the essentials: Make sure your training program covers all the bases, from company policies and ecommerce best practices to remote work etiquette. Think of it as your team’s guide to being a remote work Olympic athlete.
- Level up: Create opportunities for your team members to grow their skills and stay current with industry trends. Webinars, workshops, and mentorship programs are just some ways to help them unleash their full potential.
- HR software to the rescue: To make the onboarding and training process a breeze, consider using HR solutions like Workday. You can also work with some reliable Workday consulting firms to get the most out of this HR software and keep track of your team’s progress, manage training materials, and even set up personalized learning paths.
By providing a robust training program, you’ll ensure your remote team is always ready to tackle challenges and stay ahead of the game. With the right knowledge and skills under their belts, there’s no stopping your ecommerce team.
7.Celebrate your successes
And now, for the grand finale: celebrating your successes. Recognizing and applauding your team’s achievements is just as important as putting in the hard work. As the saying goes, “work hard, play hard.”
Here’s how to spread the good vibes and keep morale sky-high:
- Party time: Who doesn’t love a good celebration? Host virtual parties for milestones, like smashing sales targets or launching a new product line. Get creative — online karaoke, anyone?
- Personalized perks: Show your team members that you care with thoughtful gifts or tokens of appreciation. How about a surprise flower delivery or company swag?
- Say thank you: Never underestimate the power of a heartfelt “thank you.” Regularly expressing gratitude and acknowledging hard work can work wonders for loyalty, commitment, and enthusiasm.
So, go ahead and celebrate your remote team’s successes in style. Recognizing achievements and showing appreciation will create a positive work environment where everyone feels valued and inspired to give their best.
Keep the good times rolling, and watch your ecommerce business soar to new heights.
Wrapping up
And there you have it, folks. Those were our seven simple tips for building a winning remote team for your ecommerce business.
Set the stage for a successful remote work environment by assembling a talented crew, fostering a collaborative culture, investing in the right tools and training, and celebrating your successes.
Because in this ever-evolving digital world, remote teams are the new secret weapon for many successful ecommerce ventures. It’s time to double down on your people to fuel your growth.
With these tips in hand, you’ll be well on your way to building a remote team ready to conquer the ecommerce universe, one success at a time.
Now, gather your remote team and make some ecommerce magic happen.
About the author
Kelly Moser is the co-founder and editor at Home & Jet, a digital magazine for the modern era. She’s also an expert in freelance writing and content marketing for SaaS, Fintech, and ecommerce startups.
