Outsourcing

Ecommerce Customer Service Outsourcing | ShyftOff

author
Trevor Clark
date
25 September 2025
read time
7
min

Key takeaways

  • Ecommerce growth continues accelerating, putting increasing pressure on customer service operations and scalability.
  • GigCX staffing allows ecommerce brands to scale support instantly during seasonal peaks or promotions.
  • Paying only for productive time reduces downtime costs common in traditional contact center models.
  • Flexible microshifts help optimize staffing levels without lengthy hiring or training cycles.
  • Experienced, motivated agents improve ecommerce customer satisfaction while reducing burnout and attrition.

There’s no doubting that the ecommerce market has been on a meteoric rise for years. And who can blame consumers for wanting to shop online from the comforts of their home, avoiding traffic, long lines at the register and the inventory limitations associated with brick-and-mortar businesses? But when COVID-19 hit, ecommerce really exploded.

Ecommerce Customer Service Outsourcing

According to the International Trade Administration, global ecommerce revenues received an additional 19% sales growth for 2020 due to the pandemic. That progress is expected to continue, with analysts forecasting the market to grow by 50% from 2021 to 2025. Assuming that forecast holds, can you confidently say that your ecommerce business is equipped to handle what will likely be a significant increase in customer service need? If your answer is no, here are three reasons to consider ecommerce customer service outsourcing with ShyftOff.

ShyftOff can scale with ease

We’re very familiar with the way seasonality can present ecommerce businesses with severe customer service challenges. For instance, consider a retailer that slashes prices prior to Christmas or a jacket manufacturer gearing up for winter. In these cases (and myriad others), these scenarios will inevitably drive more calls and emails to the company’s contact center. Traditionally, a business may have staffed up or down depending on the season, incurring loads of time and money in doing so. But ecommerce customer service outsourcing with ShyftOff eliminates those inefficient practices.

Because we use the GigCX model in placing certified agents on our customers’ accounts, we can seamlessly staff up or down as our agents self-select their schedules via 30-minute microshifts. If a customer lets us know that they need more (or fewer) agents due to a certain time of year or a targeted marketing promotion, we simply update the number of slots available for agents to choose from. It’s that easy.  

ShyftOff can save you money

In a traditional contact center where agents work eight-hour shifts, there will inevitably be some downtime. Whether it’s the simple act of grabbing a cup of coffee or sitting by the phone during off-peak times, it’s not realistic to expect an agent to be working the duration of their shift—but businesses must pay them whether they are or not. One of the most impactful ways that ShyftOff and the GigCX model can help your business is by saving you money.  

ShyftOff’s approach to ecommerce customer service outsourcing means that you only pay agents for the time they are working those 30-minute microshifts. We can analyze your call patterns and customer behaviors to always schedule a suitable number of agents for the hours that you’re open. This model has enabled businesses working with ShyftOff to save an average of about 30% over what they might spend in staffing with a traditional in-house contact center.

ShyftOff can improve your customer service outcomes

As the owner or leader of a successful ecommerce business, there are probably a lot of things you do exceptionally well. But as you may have learned by now, customer service management requires a unique skill set that not everyone possesses. Fortunately, that’s all we do at ShyftOff, and we have the experience your business needs to improve customer service operations.

Ecommerce customer service outsourcing with ShyftOff can result in you landing more qualified and knowledgeable agents. About 80% of our agents are college-educated, and 40% hold a position elsewhere equivalent to a manager level or above. Our model facilitates flexibility, which allows agents to work on their own terms and not be subject to the traditional eight-hour schedule. By empowering people to work around their other passions and interests, we’ve found that we can reduce the rate of burnout and avoid job dissatisfaction.  

Ready to learn more about ecommerce customer service outsourcing with ShyftOff? Reach out today, and let’s talk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ecommerce customer service outsourcing?

Ecommerce customer service outsourcing is partnering with an external provider like ShyftOff to handle your online store's customer support needs, allowing you to focus on core business operations while experts manage customer interactions.

How can ShyftOff help my ecommerce business scale during peak seasons?

ShyftOff uses the GigCX model with 30-minute microshifts, allowing certified agents to self-select schedules so we can seamlessly staff up or down based on your seasonal demands without the time and cost of traditional hiring.

How much can I save by outsourcing ecommerce customer service with ShyftOff?

Businesses working with ShyftOff save an average of about 30% compared to traditional in-house contact centers because you only pay agents for the time they work during 30-minute microshifts, eliminating costs for downtime.

What qualifications do ShyftOff agents have?

About 80% of ShyftOff agents are college-educated, and 40% hold positions elsewhere equivalent to manager level or above, ensuring your ecommerce business has access to qualified and knowledgeable customer service professionals.

How does ShyftOff's GigCX model improve customer service quality?

The flexible microshift model allows agents to work around their other passions and interests rather than rigid eight-hour schedules, reducing burnout and job dissatisfaction while maintaining high-quality customer interactions.

Can ShyftOff handle sudden increases in customer service demand?

Yes, if you need more agents due to a marketing promotion or seasonal spike, ShyftOff simply updates the number of available microshift slots for agents to choose from, making scaling quick and efficient.

Is ShyftOff suitable for growing ecommerce businesses?

Yes, ShyftOff is ideal for ecommerce businesses experiencing growth, as the model eliminates inefficient staffing practices and provides the flexibility to handle increasing customer service needs without significant infrastructure investment.

About the author
Trevor Clark

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