The Best Virtual Assistant Companies

Choosing a Virtual Assistant Agency

Every business owner has a myriad of tedious, mundane tasks to tackle each day. That’s where a virtual assistant comes in hand. Your virtual assistant — also called a VA — handles the tedious tasks, allowing you to focus on the more important aspects of running your business.

How to Choose the Best Virtual Assistant Agency

There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to find the best virtual assistant agency for your company.

1.) Be specific about schedules. If you need a virtual assistant to help with tasks that can be performed at any time, that opens you up to a global market of English-speaking, foreign-based assistants. On the other hand, if you require an assistant who responds to emails and performs tasks while you’re at work, you may want to look for someone living in the same time zone.

(The best virtual assistant agencies staff employees willing to work the hours you need, so don’t worry too much about time differences.)

2.) Know how to conduct an interview. One of the best ways to select the right virtual assistant agency is the STAR interview method. Asking questions based on a candidate’s past situations, tasks, actions, and results (STAR), allows you to better gauge how well an agency will be able to meet your needs.

3.) Decide what skills your virtual assistant needs to have. Knowing what specific tasks you need help with is a great way to choose the best agency for your business. If you need someone to manage your social media, look for agencies well-versed in social media trends and platform algorithms.

Other common skills assistants need include knowledge of Excel and MS Word, familiarity with Quickbooks, sales experience, customer service experience, and more.

4.) Keep the lines of communication open. Unlike a full-time, in-house employee, a virtual assistant can’t step into your office when they have questions. In order to make the most out of your virtual assistant agency, you need to be accessible and communicative.

Whether you prefer to keep in touch over email or platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom, staying in touch with your agency will enable you to run your business smoothly while getting the help you need.

Where to Find a Virtual Assistant Agency

While you can hire a freelance virtual assistant through FlexJobs or Upwork, there are numerous virtual assistant agencies who will work with you to choose the best assistant for your company.

You want someone dependable and skilled, so choosing an agency like Prialto or BELAY, or WoodBows is a good option. Many virtual assistant agencies offer services like a dedicated account manager, web maintenance, and virtual bookkeeping, allowing you to focus on the business end of running your business.