The New Frontier of Offshoring: Why Shopify Brands Are Hiring Top Talent Overseas

Over the past decade, offshoring has transformed from a cost-cutting tactic into a strategic approach for global talent acquisition. What began as a way to outsource lower-level tasks has rapidly evolved. Today, many of the most successful brands—including Shopify merchants—are tapping into international markets not just for operational roles, but for high-level management positions.

Let’s explore how offshoring has grown, why it’s no longer just about saving money, and how Shopify merchants can use this trend to their advantage.

The Evolution of Offshoring: From Assistants to Executives

When offshoring first gained traction about a decade ago, businesses primarily outsourced entry-level or repetitive tasks. Virtual assistants, customer support reps, and data entry professionals in countries like the Philippines and India became the backbone of many eCommerce operations.

But then came a shift.

As companies grew more comfortable with offshoring, they realized the potential of hiring specialized talent overseas. By the mid-2010s, it wasn’t uncommon to see media buyers, graphic designers, and marketers joining Shopify brands remotely.

Now, in the 2020s, offshoring is entering a new phase. Top Shopify brands like True Classic and others are going beyond operational roles to fill management-level positions abroad. From operations managers in the Philippines to marketing directors in Latin America, the landscape of remote talent acquisition has radically shifted.

Why Shopify Merchants Are Embracing Offshoring

1. Access to a Global Talent Pool

Offshoring is no longer about finding “cheaper” labor—it’s about finding the best talent, no matter where it resides. Markets like the Philippines, Mexico, South Africa, and Eastern Europe are filled with skilled professionals who can operate at the same level as their counterparts in the U.S., often at a fraction of the cost.

This means Shopify merchants can afford to hire experienced executives or build an entire team of specialists without overextending their budget.

2. Cost Efficiency Without Sacrificing Quality

While saving money isn’t the sole driver of offshoring anymore, it’s still an undeniable perk. Hiring a senior marketer or operations manager in the U.S. can cost $150K+ per year. In countries like the Philippines or Colombia, you can find equally skilled professionals for $50K–$80K annually.

For Shopify merchants trying to scale profitably, this allows you to reinvest savings into growth opportunities like product innovation, customer acquisition, or infrastructure upgrades.

3. 24/7 Operations

By hiring talent across time zones, you can effectively run a 24/7 operation. Imagine having a customer service team in Asia managing inquiries overnight while your local team focuses on growth strategies during the day.

4. Diverse Perspectives for Growth

Global hires bring unique insights and cultural perspectives, which can help you tailor your messaging and product offerings to international audiences. For example, having a marketing lead from Europe or Asia can help your Shopify store expand to those regions more effectively.

Offshoring Success Stories: True Classic and Beyond

True Classic, a leading Shopify brand known for its premium basics, has embraced the trend of hiring international talent. Beyond filling roles like customer service or media buying, they’ve onboarded management-level talent overseas to handle operations, logistics, and even creative strategy.

They’re not alone. Shopify merchants across industries are leveraging remote executive hires to scale faster while maintaining a lean cost structure.

How Shopify Merchants Can Explore Offshoring

If you’re considering offshoring for your Shopify business, here are the steps to get started:

1. Identify the Roles to Offshore

Start with roles that are less dependent on in-person collaboration. Media buying, marketing, customer support, and even operations management are great starting points.

For example, instead of hiring a U.S.-based media buyer for $100K/year, you can hire a top-tier professional in Eastern Europe for $50K/year.

2. Leverage Trusted Platforms

Platforms like Upwork, OnlineJobs.ph, and Turing.com are excellent for finding skilled professionals abroad. For management-level hires, consider using agencies that specialize in executive-level placements overseas.

3. Invest in Onboarding and Tools

Success with remote teams relies heavily on communication and culture. Use tools like Slack, Asana, and Zoom to keep everyone aligned. Don’t skimp on onboarding—spend time ensuring your offshore hires understand your brand vision and values.

4. Create Clear KPIs

Setting measurable goals is critical for remote hires. Whether it’s driving revenue, improving customer satisfaction, or reducing churn, ensure your offshore team has clear benchmarks to work toward.

Challenges to Consider

Offshoring isn’t without its challenges. Here are a few to keep in mind:

• Time Zone Differences: While 24/7 coverage is an advantage, coordinating meetings across multiple time zones can be tricky.

• Cultural Differences: Be mindful of communication styles and work habits that may differ between regions.

• Legal and Tax Implications: Make sure you’re familiar with the labor laws in the country where you’re hiring.

With the right approach, these challenges can be easily overcome.

The Future of Offshoring for Shopify Merchants

The trend of hiring overseas talent is only growing stronger. In the next five years, we’ll likely see more Shopify brands employing remote C-suite executives and using international teams to drive innovation.

For Shopify merchants, offshoring offers a competitive edge in a crowded marketplace. Whether you’re a small store owner or a fast-scaling DTC brand, hiring top talent overseas can help you grow faster, reduce costs, and stay agile.

Ready to Explore Offshoring?

Offshoring isn’t just for Fortune 500 companies anymore. It’s a viable, scalable solution for Shopify merchants of all sizes. Whether you’re looking for your next media buyer, customer service lead, or even a COO, the global talent pool is waiting.

Don’t wait for your competitors to catch on—start building your offshore team today.

Key Takeaway: Offshoring has moved beyond entry-level tasks. Top Shopify brands are now hiring management-level talent overseas, opening up new opportunities for cost efficiency, global operations, and innovation. Will your Shopify store be next?