How to Afford Outsourcing as a Small Business

If you run a small business and certain processes are beyond your expertise or taking away from your core responsibilities, then it's probably time to consider outsourcing. However, you don't have to break the bank to afford outsourcing as a small business.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Get a recommendation from a trusted friend or associate rather than an outsource broker. Friends and associates generally don't charge a fee to tell you what they think of a vendor they've used in the past, but outsource brokers do charge for their recommendations.
2. Commit to outsourced vendors short-term initially. Don't sign a contract that commits you to the vendor's services over a long period before you've tested performance and assessed the benefits to your small business.
3. Outsource vendors on an as-need basis. If something like bookkeeping or payroll doesn't take much time away from your core functions as a small business operator, outsource vendors only when you really need them, such as during the crunch of tax time.
4. Propose bartering services or products. Other small business or vendors may be open to bartering. For example, if you run a small website design business and need to outsource a writer, they might be open to cutting or eliminating their fee in exchange for the services offered by your company.