Running an eCommerce business in the United Kingdom has become more demanding than ever. Customer expectations are higher. Competition is tougher. Operating costs continue to rise, especially when it comes to hiring staff locally.
At some stage, most UK eCommerce founders face a critical decision:
Do I hire in-house staff or work with an eCommerce virtual assistant?
This article walks you through that decision in a clear, practical way. It focuses on real costs, real workloads, and real business needs in the UK market. No jargon. No hype. Just straightforward information you can actually use.
Why This Decision Matters More Than Ever for UK E-commerce Businesses
UK businesses are feeling pressure from multiple directions. Inflation has pushed wages higher. Employer National Insurance contributions add another layer of cost. At the same time, online shoppers expect faster responses, smoother deliveries, and better service across multiple channels.
Many business owners try to solve this by hiring locally. Others explore outsourcing. Both options can work, but they lead to very different outcomes in cost, flexibility, and growth potential.
Choosing the wrong model can strain your cash flow. Choosing the right one can free up time, reduce stress, and improve margins.
What Does an E-commerce Virtual Assistant Actually Do?
An eCommerce virtual assistant is a remote professional who supports the daily operations of an online store. They work online and integrate into your systems, tools, and workflows just like an in-house employee, but without the overhead.
The scope of work often includes:
- Product uploads and optimisation
- Managing orders and fulfilment updates
- Handling customer enquiries by email, live chat, and social media
- Updating inventory and tracking stock levels
- Managing marketplaces such as Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Walmart
- Processing returns, refunds, and reviews
- Creating simple reports and handling admin tasks
If you want a deeper breakdown of typical responsibilities, you can explore our guide on ecommerce va tasks, which outlines how these roles support different business models.
For many UK businesses, a virtual assistant becomes the backbone of daily operations, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
The True Cost of Hiring In-house E-commerce Staff in the UK
On paper, hiring locally looks straightforward. You post a job, interview candidates, and bring someone into your team. In reality, the costs go far beyond salary.
Let’s look at the full picture.
Salary Expectations
In the UK, an entry-level to mid-level eCommerce assistant typically earns between £22,000 and £28,000 per year. Skilled candidates often expect more, especially in London and the South East.
Employer Contributions
Once you hire someone, you also pay:
- Employer National Insurance
- Workplace pension contributions
- Paid holidays
- Statutory sick pay
These add roughly 20 to 25 percent on top of salary.
Hidden and Ongoing Costs
Many business owners forget to factor in:
- Recruitment fees or advertising costs
- Time spent interviewing and onboarding
- Training and supervision
- Laptops, software licences, and office space
- HR and payroll administration
When you add everything together, the real annual cost of one in-house eCommerce employee often reaches £30,000 to £38,000 or more.
For small and medium sized businesses, that level of fixed cost can be risky.
Understanding E-commerce Virtual Assistant Cost in the UK
This is where many UK founders start to look for alternatives.
When businesses search for an ecommerce virtual assistant cost uk, they are usually trying to answer one simple question. Can I get reliable support without committing to full-time UK employment costs?
In most cases, the answer is yes.
At our company, Teambuild Consultancy, we offer transparent pricing that suits different stages of growth.
Our pricing is slightly different, but it is ideal for people who need predictable costs without long-term employment risk.
- Part-time virtual assistant, four hours per day, five days a week, around £500 per month
- Full-time virtual assistant, eight hours per day, five days a week, around £900 per month
These figures include recruitment, vetting, and ongoing support. There are no employer taxes, no pension contributions, and no equipment costs on your side.
On an annual basis, that works out to roughly £6,000 to £10,800. Compared to in-house hiring, the savings are substantial.
Why the Philippines Is a Popular Choice for E-commerce Virtual Assistants
Many UK businesses ask why so many virtual assistants come from the Philippines.
There are several practical reasons:
- Strong English proficiency
- Long history of working with UK, US, and Australian businesses
- Cultural alignment with Western work practices
- High level of experience in eCommerce platforms and tools
According to global outsourcing reports, the Philippines remains one of the top destinations for remote business support due to skill availability and reliability. For UK eCommerce companies, this translates into consistent quality at a sustainable cost.
In-house Staff vs E-commerce Virtual Assistant: A Practical Comparison
Rather than focusing on theory, it helps to compare both options side by side.
In-house staff in the UK typically offer:
- Direct, on-site presence
- Face-to-face collaboration
- Strong alignment with office culture
However, they also bring:
- High fixed costs
- Long hiring timelines
- Limited flexibility
- Long-term employment obligations
E-commerce virtual assistants typically offer:
- Lower monthly costs
- Faster onboarding
- Flexible hours and scalability
- No employer liabilities
For many online businesses, especially those with fluctuating workloads, flexibility matters more than physical presence.
When Hiring In-house Makes Sense
There are situations where hiring locally is the right move.
You may benefit from in-house staff if:
- The role requires daily physical presence
- You need hands-on warehouse or logistics work
- Your workload is stable and guaranteed year-round
- You have the cash flow to support long-term employment
In these cases, the higher cost may be justified.
When Hiring an E-commerce Virtual Assistant Is the Smarter Choice
For many UK businesses, especially growing ones, virtual assistants offer a better balance.
A virtual assistant often makes sense if:
- You want to reduce overheads
- Your workload changes month to month
- You sell across multiple platforms
- You want to scale without adding fixed costs
- You prefer operational flexibility
This is why so many small and medium eCommerce businesses now rely on remote support as part of their core team.
Who Benefits Most from E-commerce Virtual Assistants?
Over the years, we have worked with a wide range of UK businesses. Some benefit more than others from this model.
These include:
- Small and medium eCommerce stores looking to control costs
- High-volume online sellers who need consistent daily support
- Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and Walmart marketplace sellers
- Dropshipping and print on demand businesses
- Social commerce sellers using chat and messaging platforms
- eCommerce agencies managing multiple client accounts
- International sellers serving UK and EU customers
In each case, virtual assistants help owners focus on strategy while daily operations run smoothly in the background.
Addressing Common Concerns About Virtual Assistants
It is normal to have questions before outsourcing key tasks.
Communication
Most professional virtual assistants are fluent in English and experienced with tools like Slack, Zoom, and project management platforms. Clear processes matter more than location.
Data Security
Reputable providers use confidentiality agreements, controlled access, and secure systems. When set up properly, data security is not a disadvantage of remote work.
Quality of Work
Quality depends on hiring standards and ongoing management. Well-vetted virtual assistants often outperform rushed local hires because they specialise in eCommerce tasks.
Reliability
Virtual assistants work agreed schedules. If someone is unavailable, replacement options are far simpler than rehiring locally.
How We Support UK Businesses at Teambuild Consultancy
At our company, we focus on making remote hiring simple and transparent for UK businesses.
We work with clients across eCommerce, admin, accounting, tech, property, and other sectors. Our eCommerce virtual assistants support everything from customer service to marketplace management.
We believe pricing should be clear. That is why we keep our structure straightforward and avoid hidden fees. Whether a business needs part-time support or full-time coverage, we align our services with their operational needs.
We also understand that no two businesses are the same. Some clients start with a few hours per day and scale up as their store grows. Others need full-time support from day one. Our model allows for both.
Cost Versus Control: How to Decide What Is Right for Your Business
When deciding between in-house staff and a virtual assistant, it helps to step back and look at the bigger picture.
Ask yourself:
- How stable is my workload?
- How sensitive is my cash flow to fixed costs?
- Do I need flexibility to scale quickly?
- How much time do I spend on repetitive tasks?
If your business values control through physical presence, in-house hiring may still fit. If your priority is efficiency, flexibility, and cost control, a virtual assistant is often the better option.
Industry Insight: Why More UK Businesses Are Outsourcing
Remote work is no longer a trend. It is a standard business practice.
UK business surveys show that companies embracing flexible staffing models are better positioned to adapt to market changes. In eCommerce, where demand can spike unexpectedly, this adaptability is especially valuable.
Outsourcing routine tasks allows founders to focus on growth, marketing, partnerships, and customer experience, areas that directly impact revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does an eCommerce virtual assistant cost in the UK?
Most businesses pay between £500 and £900 per month, depending on hours and responsibilities. You can find a more detailed breakdown in our guide on ecommerce virtual assistant cost uk.
Is a virtual assistant cheaper than hiring staff?
In most cases, yes. Many businesses save 60 to 70 percent annually compared to in-house hiring.
Can a virtual assistant manage my online store?
Yes. Many specialise in platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, Etsy, and eBay.
Is outsourcing suitable for UK businesses?
Yes, especially when working with a UK-based provider that understands local expectations and compliance needs.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between an eCommerce virtual assistant and in-house staff is not about cutting corners. It is about building a business model that supports long-term growth.
For many UK eCommerce businesses, virtual assistants offer a practical balance of cost, flexibility, and reliability. They reduce operational pressure and allow owners to focus on what matters most.
If you are considering how to scale your eCommerce operations without overextending your budget, this decision is worth careful thought.
