Virtual Assistants assist you with a variety of tasks so that you neither need to hire a team, an office for them to work, pay their insurance, fear overstaffing, and bloating your expenses.
Why should small businesses hire virtual assistants? Better work-life balance, to stop multi-tasking, grow even with limited resources, and streamline your day-to-day activities.
What is a Virtual Assistant for Small Businesses?
A virtual assistant (VA) is a remote professional who is versatile, highly skilled and can support businesses by handling a wide range of tasks—admin, creative, technical or customer facing (like communicating with customers).
For small business owners, a VA is more than just an assistant—they’re often a trusted partner and the backbone of daily operations. Small business owners need someone who can save them time, get tasks done efficiently and operate without the complexity of a corporate hierarchy.
That’s why virtual assistants are favourite among small business owners. Most small business owners hire VAs directly—either through freelance platforms for project based work or from virtual assistant companies for a more structured, dedicated approach.
In the latter case you get a dedicated VA who handles your day to day tasks like admin work and basic social media management and access to a team of specialized professionals—graphic designers, video editors, web developers, content writers, digital marketers and accounting experts.
This means while your dedicated VA manages your daily operations they can also coordinate with skilled team members to deliver advanced services like website development, bookkeeping or video production.
This model allows small businesses to build their own remote teams and operate more efficiently and scale without hiring a full in-house team.
Whether you’re a local business owner or working across time zones a VA company can provide flexible support that fits your needs.
Think of a virtual assistant as your behind the scenes co-pilot—handling everything from reaching inbox zero to scheduling your social media posts—while you focus on growth and strategy.
VAs can support a wide range of business functions including:
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Admin operations
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Marketing and branding
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Customer support
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Finance and bookkeeping
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E-commerce support
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Research and strategy
They are usually great communicators, self motivated, tech savvy, proactive and experienced with small business dynamics. A good VA is skilled in multitasking, meeting deadlines and navigating various business tools such as:
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Project Management: Asana, Trello, ClickUp
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Communication: Slack, Zoom, Gmail
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Design Tools: Canva, Adobe Express
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Marketing Platforms: MailChimp, Buffer, Hootsuite
Many virtual assistants also help e-commerce businesses with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Etsy and Amazon Seller Central.If you need help with bookkeeping or financial management you can hire a VA with an accounting or finance background. They can manage QuickBooks, Xero and Wave. For more advanced financial support make sure the VA company has a pool of accounting experts your assistant can work with.
In short one subscription gives you access to a whole team—small businesses can operate like big businesses. Virtual assistant services are a game changer for growth, productivity and cost effective scalability.
Remote assistants for entrepreneurs (at different business stages)
Though the topic of this article is how remote assistants can help small businesses. But who wants to stay small forever. In your growth journey, virtual assistants can become your long-term partner.
Stage 1:
When your business is small, every minute counts. However, due to cash or resource crunch, you often have to wear all hats yourself. You handle client calls, reply to emails, update your website, post on social media and even manage invoices watching tutorials. These errands slow you down, and you need a helping hand. And bypass all recurring and prerequisite cost routes—you can hire a virtual personal assistant. Someone bright, tech and AI savvy, proactive, proficient in communication, and attentive to details.
For this, you’ve a few options: You hire freelancer for task-based help, sign up with any Virtual Assistant Agency for more structured support, where assistants are vet, and provide to you following requirements and preferences, partner with a virtual assistant company that offers a wide range of services tailored to your your business needs along with a personal virtual assistant.
Stage 2:
Gradually, your business picks momentum, more clients and projects come in, and with them more responsibilities. Consequently, the need of a team stands before you. Now, you’re no longer in survival mode—you’re in scale mode. This is when your business enters the medium-size stage. At this juncture, a single or personal VA may not cut it anymore. When you want multiple tasks of different sorts correlated to each other or independent, be performed simultaneously.
You need a systemized support team—virtual assistants specialized in operations, content creation, project coordination, marketing, or even customer service. It’s no longer about “just getting help.” It’s about building an efficient, remote-powered infrastructure that keeps things running smoothly as your revenue grows. For this, you need a virtual assistant company that offers you all this, along with a relationship manager or point of contact.
Tip: Anticipate your requirements for the future and hire a personal assistant from a Virtual Assistant company that can help you with all in the time ahead. Vett the assistant in such a manner that they grow with growth and eventually become the process supervisor of ours in the very VA company. You can create some bonus and incentive to add on extra perks based on KPIs that are imperative for your business group. It could be accuracy, project success rate and so on.
Then comes the next big leap.
Stage 3:
Your business matures into a large-scale operation. It becomes a brand. You’re leading departments, working with clients across regions, managing data security, onboarding talent, and optimizing customer experience at scale. Your virtual assistant strategy evolves from a support role to an essential component of your operational workflow.
Here, you're not just hiring VAs—you’re integrating remote teams into your business architecture. You're leveraging project managers, performance trackers, SOPs, and automation tools. Your assistants are trained, proactive, and aligned with your brand's voice and vision. This is where hiring from a VA company with enterprise-level experience becomes non-negotiable. Go for a VA company that has multiple teams of skilled professionals, e.g., IT Support, Web Design & Development, Video Editing, Digital Marketing, and Accounting Team.
From solopreneur to CEO, your virtual support needs evolve with every stage.
What Can a Virtual Assistant Do for Your Small Business?
Virtual Assistants Can Do a Lot for Small Businesses
Administrative Support
When it comes to administrative tasks, from data entry and inbox management to handling price comparisons, booking the cheapest air tickets, and finding the best hotel deals—they help you save money and time at every turn. Virtual assistants are also well-versed in tools like Google Workspace, Excel, Trello, Asana, and other productivity platforms. They manage your files, calendars, and day-to-day digital clutter with ease. Plus, they’re usually great communicators, so they can handle calling tasks, client follow-ups, and more.
Research and Market Intel
Virtual assistants can genuinely be a game-changer for small businesses. One of the first things they do really well is research. Whether it’s finding the best domain provider, hosting services, email platforms, or sourcing reliable and cost-effective suppliers—they dig deep to give you the best options. They compare prices, analyze competitors, and strike the right balance between affordability and quality. In many cases, they even negotiate on your behalf.
HR Support
Their capabilities aren’t limited to just research. VAs can do job posting & advertisement, resume screening, candidate shortlisting, conducting initial interviews, interview scheduling. reference checks, onboarding assistance, database management, policy & handbook preparation, employee Engagement support.
Ecommerce Support
They help eCommerce business owners with a wide range of tasks—from managing product listings, processing orders, and responding to customer inquiries, to handling social media marketing, inventory updates, SEO optimization, and even graphic design or video editing. Basically, they take care of the busywork so store owners can focus on scaling their business.
Social Media Management
On the digital front, VAs often handle social media marketing and management. They create graphics, memes, and even reels using tools like Canva and post consistently across platforms. They engage with audiences, reply to comments, participate in relevant groups or forums, and track social media analytics. Based on those insights, they help create content strategies that increase reach and followers. Now, if you hire a virtual assistant through a virtual assistant company, you often get access to much more than just one assistant. You get an entire team of professionals.
Video Editing
A virtual assistant can handle your entire video editing process—trimming clips, adding transitions, subtitles, music and branding. They can create short-form videos for social media, design thumbnails and make sure content fits each platform using Premiere Pro, Filmora or Final Cut Pro. Your VA can upload videos, write titles and descriptions, manage files, coordinate with editors and keep everything on schedule. They can even track video performance and suggest improvements. With a VA video creation becomes faster, easier and more consistent.
Web Design
A virtual assistant with web design skills can build, update and maintain your website using platforms like WordPress, Shopify, Wix or even custom coded environments. They can tweak layouts, create landing pages, make sure it’s mobile responsive, improve UX/UI and fix technical glitches. Whether it’s integrating plugins, optimising page speed or designing conversion driven pages your VA handles it all. They can even work with developers and keep your site looking good, fast and functional—so your digital presence never falls behind.
Graphic Design
Need visuals that actually get noticed? A VA with graphic design skills can create everything from eye-catching flyers and brochures to detailed infographics, logos, social media graphics and digital ads. Using tools like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or Figma they can create brand consistent designs that elevate your message and make your business look pro. Whether it’s for online use or print your VA can make sure each design is polished, purposeful and on-brand—saving you hours of back and forth with freelance designers.
Bookkeeping
Your virtual assistant can take over time consuming bookkeeping tasks with ease. Whether you’re using QuickBooks, Wave, Zoho Books or Xero a VA can record transactions, reconcile bank statements, send invoices, follow up on payments and generate financial reports. They’ll even organise receipts, handle expense tracking and prep your books for tax season. With their help your finances are in check and stress free—without hiring a full-time accountant.
IT Support
From managing hosting environments and updating plugins to DNS issues and website backups they’ll keep everything running smoothly. They can record and set up webinars, manage cloud storage, troubleshoot tech issues and implement security measures to protect your digital assets. With a VA who knows IT support downtime is reduced and productivity gets a boost.
Digital Marketing
A digital VA can manage your entire online marketing machine—SEO audits, on-page optimisation, PPC campaigns, Google Tag Manager, GA4 setup or maintenance. They create marketing funnels, track performance, generate reports and adjust strategies to maximise ROI. From keyword research to content planning to ad management your VA will make sure your brand is seen by the right people at the right time—with data driven precision.
Project Management
A project manager virtual assistant can take control and keep your business running smoothly. From setting up workflows in Asana, Trello, ClickUp or Monday.com to assigning tasks, tracking deadlines and following up with team members - they make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Your VA can also coordinate between departments, schedule meetings, prepare reports and monitor project milestones. They’ll keep you on budget, on time and focused on results. With a VA managing your projects you get structure, momentum and peace of mind.
When you work with a company like MyTasker, you’re not just hiring an assistant. You’re gaining access to an entire support system that functions as your remote team—covering all stages of your business journey, from day-to-day admin to strategic growth.
No matter your industry—eCommerce, real estate, coaching, consulting, healthcare, or IT—VAs fit right in. They can work as your personal assistant, project manager, or marketing strategist, depending on your business needs.
12 Signs Small Businesses Need a Virtual Assistant
Running a business is no fun. If you’re juggling tasks and feeling overwhelmed, it’s time to get some help.
Here are 12 signs that scream “you need a virtual assistant!”
1. You’re wearing too many hats.
If you’re the marketer, customer support rep, bookkeeper and CEO all rolled into one—something’s gotta give.
2. Your inbox is out of control.
Spending hours sorting through emails? A VA can manage it, flag priorities and respond on your behalf.
3. You’re missing deadlines.
Tasks slipping through the cracks? A VA can help you stay organized and on track.
4. Customer service is suffering.
Slow responses and missed messages? A VA can handle customer queries promptly and professionally.
5. You don’t have time for strategy.
If you’re stuck in daily admin work, who’s focusing on growth? A VA can take the load off so you can zoom out.
6. Your social media is a ghost town.
Haven’t posted in weeks? A VA can plan, schedule and engage with your audience regularly.
7. You’re skipping meals and sleep.
When your workload starts affecting your health, it’s a clear sign: delegate or burn out.
8. You need help but can’t afford a full-time hire.
VAs offer flexible hours at a fraction of the cost of in-house staff. It’s a budget-friendly solution with big returns.
9. You’re multitasking—and making mistakes.
If you find yourself redoing work, it’s time to offload repetitive or detailed tasks to a VA who can handle them with care.
10. Projects are piling up.
Too many ideas, not enough time? A VA can help bring your projects to life without overwhelming you.
11. You’re spending time on tasks outside your expertise.
Design, tech issues, copywriting? Hire a VA with the skills you lack so you can stay in your zone of genius.
12. You want to grow—but you’re stuck in the day-to-day.
Scaling requires systems and support. A VA gives you both.
How Much Does a Virtual Assistant Cost?
The cost of hiring a VA varies based on experience, skills, and location. Here’s a general breakdown:
- Freelance VAs: $5-$30/hour (flexible, project-based work)
- VA Companies: Packages start at $200/month for part-time support
If you go for a Philippines or India based VA company, it starts below $150/month.
- Specialized VAs: SEO, marketing, or bookkeeping pros can charge $50+/hour
- Full-time VAs: Typically $800–$2,500/month, depending on expertise and region
Where to Find Cost-Effective VAs
- Freelance Marketplaces – Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer, OnlineJobs.ph
- VA Agencies – MyTasker, BELAY, Fancy Hands, Zirtual
- Direct Hiring – LinkedIn, Facebook VA groups, referrals
Pro Tip: Many platforms, such as Upwork, Fiverr, and MyTasker, offer free trials or first-month discounts—always check their promotions or ask customer support for available deals!
How to Hire an Affordable Virtual Assistant
Hiring a VA isn’t just about finding the cheapest option—it’s about getting the best value for your investment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to hiring the right VA at the right price:
- Define Your Needs – Make a list of tasks you need help with (admin, social media, customer service, etc.).
- Set a Budget – Decide how much you can afford ($5–$10/hr for admin, $10–$20/hr for specialized tasks).
- Choose a Hiring Platform – Use Upwork, Fiverr, OnlineJobs.ph, or VA agencies like MyTasker.
- Test Before You Commit – Start with a small paid task to assess communication, speed, and quality.
- Use the Right Tools – Loom for clear instructions, Time Doctor for tracking, and Trello for project management.
- Get a Cost Breakdown – Always ask for an estimated number of hours and pricing structure.
- Negotiate and Ask for Discounts – Many agencies offer long-term contract discounts or welcome deals.
Hiring Overseas? Countries like India, the Philippines, and Pakistan offer top-tier talent at a fraction of the cost. However, time zone differences and language barriers can be challenges.
To navigate this, set clear communication expectations, use scheduling tools like Calendly for smooth coordination, and ensure your VA is comfortable with your preferred language.
Remember, cheap doesn’t mean low quality—experience and skill set matter more than price alone.
Top Traits to Look for in a Virtual Assistant
Hiring a rockstar VA? Make sure they have:
- Experience in your needed tasks (so there’s no learning curve)
- Strong communication skills (because clarity = efficiency)
- Reliability and consistency (check reviews and testimonials)
- Time management skills (a VA should be self-motivated and deadline-oriented)
- Tech-savviness (familiarity with tools like Slack, Zoom, and project management apps)
Best Virtual Assistant Companies for Small Businesses
Prefer a trusted agency over freelance hires? Agencies pre-vet, train, and manage VAs, saving you time. Here are some top-rated VA companies:
- MyTasker – Affordable & reliable for small businesses
- BELAY – High-end executive assistants
- Fancy Hands – Best for quick, simple tasks
- Time Etc – Flexible, high-quality support
- Zirtual – Ideal for startups & solo entrepreneurs
- OkayRelax – Budget-friendly for basic admin work
- UAssist.ME – Offers bilingual assistants
- WoodBows – Premium support for scaling businesses
- Outsource Workers – Specializes in real estate
- 24/7 Virtual Assistant – Round-the-clock global support
Should You Hire a Virtual Assistant?
If you’re tired of juggling everything yourself and want to scale your business without burning out, hiring a Virtual Assistant is the best investment you can make.
A great VA isn’t an expense—it’s an asset that helps you reclaim your time, focus on what matters, and grow faster.
Ready to find your perfect VA? Check out MyTasker and start delegating like a pro today! Sign up now and get a free consultation to kickstart your journey with expert virtual assistance.
