Top 13 myths and misconceptions about outsourcing

More businesses are outsourcing to stay competitive and efficient. Whether you’re looking for general virtual assistant services or a more specialised role, virtual assistance has evolved far beyond basic admin support.

In this article, we debunk the 13 most common myths about virtual assistant outsourcing to help you make an informed decision for your business.

13 common misconceptions about outsourcing

#1 Outsourcing is the same as offshoring

While cost savings can be a factor, outsourcing decisions may also consider expertise and quality. It also offers more flexibility in adapting to changing business needs.

#2 Outsourcing is only for cost-cutting

When outsourcing is done strategically, companies gain access to a larger pool of skilled professionals, the flexibility to expand operations quickly, and the freedom to focus on core business activities.

This balance helps increase productivity, drive innovation, and improve overall customer experience. So yes, cost efficiency remains an attractive benefit of outsourcing, but it’s far from the only one.

💡How much can you save by outsourcing?

Here’s a short breakdown of how much you can save by outsourcing the following roles:

#3 Outsourcing to developing countries is unethical

In the freelancer industry, a marketing virtual assistant with a strong portfolio may command a higher hourly rate because of the specialised nature of their work.

Reputable outsourcing companies also operate under strict ethical standards. They follow fair practices to ensure that remote professionals work reasonable hours and receive livable compensation.

Ethical outsourcing providers also invest in people. Many offer training, mentorship, and upskilling programs that open real career pathways for their offshore talent.

👉 Related Article: 7 ways we empower Virtual Assistants for business owners

In places like the Philippines, outsourcing roles are actually highly sought-after. Remote workers in the country earn more than peers in similar local roles, while enjoying healthcare support and opportunities for growth.

#4 Outsourcing means giving up control of your processes.

Many business owners hesitate to outsource because they fear losing control.

But open dialogue and setting clear contracts, well-defined scopes of work, and measurable performance metrics will keep everything on track. It’s best to implement an onboarding system that considers these areas to prevent misunderstandings from the get-go.

Many companies also use dashboards and KPIs to monitor progress in real time. This ensures that outsourced teams stay aligned with business standards and expectations.

Outsourcing Angel CEO & Founder Linh Podetti outsources the day-to-day running of her business, and focuses on high-level strategy and networking instead.

Outsourcing also allows businesses to focus on what truly matters. By delegating non-core activities such as payroll, data entry, or administrative tasks to trusted partners, companies can concentrate on higher-value priorities like innovation and growth.

👉 Related: Top 7 reasons why Australian companies outsource

#5 Outsourcing sales jobs will lower your revenue

Remote sales teams can help you reach more prospects, follow up faster, and close more deals, all while keeping your local team focused on relationship-building and strategy.

For example, Watch Smoke Alarms generated 6 figures in monthly sales after outsourcing to their remote sales assistants, Dannisse and Hazel.

From left to right: Joanne (WSA Sales Manager), Hazel, Dannisse, Peter (WSA co-founder), Linh (our CEO & Founder), and Heidi (our Client Experience Manager).

Instead of lowering your revenue, outsourcing can amplify your sales potential. By pairing skilled offshore talent with effective tools and clear processes, businesses can boost conversions and strengthen their bottom line.

👉 Case Study: How Watch Smoke Alarms generated 6 figures in sales through outsourcing

#6 Outsourcing takes away jobs from the local population

A US study showed that increased offshoring actually increased net domestic employment. This is because outsourcing to an offshore team enables local companies to focus more on lead generation. In turn, more leads and revenue create more jobs for the local population.

In outsourcing, a cohesive setup ensures both onshore and offshore teams work together to achieve shared business targets.

#7 Outsourcing is only for basic administrative tasks

Alongside essential administrative tasks, outsourcing helps you find professionals skilled in a wide range of areas—including sales support, digital marketing, IT support, project management, and more.

Some offshore talent even specialise in SEO, content creation, and lead generation. Others operate as social media virtual assistants who manage social channels, analytics, and engagement.

#8 Outsourcing only benefits big businesses, not startups

Large companies like Canva, Optus, and more often outsource tasks to manage seasonal projects, provide specialised skills, or scale up efforts without permanently expanding their in-house teams.

But outsourcing is a powerful tool for startups, solopreneurs, and small enterprises too. In fact, around 37% of small businesses are already outsourcing at least one business process.

Why does it make sense for smaller organisations? Because outsourcing gives access to expert skills and flexible capacity without the fixed costs of hiring full-time staff.

Instead of building in-house teams for every function, you can also delegate non-core tasks (like admin or customer support) and stay focused on innovation and growth.

👉 Related: What’s the ROI of outsourcing in 2025?

#9 Outsourcing leads to time zone issues and communication breakdowns

Reputable outsourcing providers only present candidates who are able to adjust their schedules to match your time zone. They do this by nearshoring.

Nearshoring is outsourcing business processes to geographically close locations, typically with similar time zones. This approach is what Australian companies do when they outsource to Southeast Asia.

Many Australian businesses outsource marketing and other processes to the region to reduce concerns related to time differences, cultural variations, and language barriers that may arise when outsourcing to more distant locations 🌏

👉 Related Article: Top 7 reasons why Australian companies outsource

Smart communication tools such as Google Chats, Zoom, and automated note-takers also make collaboration seamless.

By setting clear expectations and using the right tools, you can ensure smooth communication through outsourcing.

#10 Outsourcing to one virtual assistant (VA) is outsourcing multiple functions

When you engage a virtual assistant agency, this specialisation means you can build a well-rounded remote team made up of professionals who excel in their respective fields. Instead of relying on one generalist to juggle everything, you gain access to specialised talent who deliver faster turnaround times and better overall results.

This also allows your business to operate with the same productivity as a larger organisation, but without the cost of hiring full-time in-house employees.

So instead of expecting one team member to cover several bases, consider working with multiple offshore specialists. With the right mix of experts, you can delegate confidently and watch every part of your business perform at its best.

#11 Outsourcing will lower your service quality

Reputable outsourcing providers take the time to learn your company’s goals, processes, and branding before assigning any offshore team member.

With proper training and quality checks, outsourced teams can meet (and even exceed) the service levels of in-house staff.

The COO of Butn, Mark Newstead, has this to say about customer service with outsourced teams:

#12 Outsourcing will significantly compromise your data security

Data security still comes down to trust. According to the US cybersecurity company Imperva:

“A large percentage of data breaches are not the result of a malicious attack but are caused by negligent or accidental exposure of sensitive data. It is common for an organization’s employees to share, grant access to, lose, or mishandle valuable data, either by accident or because they are not aware of security policies.

This major problem can be addressed by employee training, but also by other measures…”

In outsourcing, providers put up measures to prevent data breaches and other cyber threats from happening. For example, confidential agreements and a rundown of data security protocols is part of our onboarding process at Outsourcing Angel.

👉 Related Article: How to keep your data safe with virtual assistants

#13 Outsourcing is a temporary solution

While outsourcing is possible for short-term tasks and projects, it can also be a solution that lasts up to a decade.

Our Founder and CEO Linh Podetti (centre) has been working with our General Manager Wendy Villar (left) for 13 years and counting, and her Personal Brand Manager Karina Palle (right) who’s been with her for 12 years and counting.

She met both staff members through outsourcing.

These long-term relationships prove that a people-first approach is key to lasting success. Business owners who invest in their remote teams the same way they do with local staff often enjoy better retention, stronger collaboration, and a more consistent performance over time.

👉 Related Article: 6 retention strategies for remote workers

Outsourcing has more to offer than you think

These common misconceptions about outsourcing discourage business owners from exploring its full potential and discovering how it can truly support their growth.

By separating myth from fact, you can make better decisions for your business and reach your goals more sustainably.