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Outsourcing research to a virtual assistant: Save time and get better information

Sarah Hannaford

CREATED BY SARAH HANNAFORD

Published: 02/09/2026 @ 09:00AM

#VirtualAssistant #OutsourceResearch #TimeSavingSolutions #EfficientResearch #DelegateToSucceed

Research is one of those jobs that seems quick until you actually start doing it. You open Google to check one thing, follow a couple of links, compare information, and suddenly an hour has disappeared. Outsourcing research to a virtual assistant can take that time-consuming work off your desk ...

Outsourcing research to a virtual assistant can help you save time and receive accurate and comprehensive information

Outsourcing research to a virtual assistant can help you save time and receive accurate and comprehensive information

One of the biggest advantages of outsourcing research to a virtual assistant is that you can hand over the searching, checking, and organising without handing over the decision-making. Your online PA can gather the information, remove the irrelevant bits, and present the useful findings clearly, leaving you to decide what happens next.

There are all sorts of research tasks that
can easily be delegated!

You might need to compare software packages, investigate potential suppliers, find suitable venues, research travel options, compile a list of events, or explore products and services. Rather than spending your own working day disappearing down internet rabbit holes, outsourcing research to a virtual assistant means someone else can do the digging for you.

It can be especially useful when you need to compare several options. For example, looking at ten suppliers might mean checking prices, services, reviews, locations, and contact details across multiple websites.

An online PA can gather that information in a spreadsheet or document, giving you a straightforward comparison instead of fifteen browser tabs glaring accusingly at you.

Research can also play an important role in marketing and business development. You may want to identify networking events, compile information about potential customers, or find relevant publications and research topics for future content. Outsourcing research to a virtual assistant lets you keep these projects moving without taking attention away from customers and revenue-generating work.

There is another benefit too: a fresh pair of eyes!

When you research something yourself, it is easy to begin with assumptions about what you expect to find. Giving a clear brief to an online PA can sometimes uncover options, information, or opportunities you might otherwise have overlooked.

Of course, good research starts with a clear brief. Explain what you want to know, why you need the information, any criteria that matter, and how you'd like the results presented. This makes outsourcing research to a virtual assistant much more effective and gives your VA a clear target to work toward.

If gathering information is eating up hours that could be spent with clients, developing your services, or winning new business, outsourcing research to a virtual assistant could be one of the simplest ways to remove it from your to-do list.

Ultimately, your time is better spent on the parts of your business that genuinely need you.

Until next time ...

SARAH HANNAFORD

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Would you like to know more?

If anything I've written in my blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more of my thoughts about outsourcing research to a virtual assistant, then do feel free to call me on 07434 287603 or connect with me on LinkedIn, and let's see how I can help you.

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#VirtualAssistant #OutsourceResearch #TimeSavingSolutions #EfficientResearch #DelegateToSucceed

About Sarah Hannaford ...

Sarah Hannaford 

What if I could give you time back to do the things you love doing? I have been working in Admin based roles for almost 20 years in various different sectors and levels. My passion for doing paperwork and organizing 'office spaces' makes me a really useful tool for you to have in your corner! 

My goal is to provide the best quality service to all my clients, making their lives easier and giving them back freedom to grow their business.

Let me handle your admin needs so you can thrive! ❤️


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