Did You Know Hiring A Virtual Assistant is Easier than Ever?

Hiring a Virtual Assistant is not rocket science, anymore. Businesses are hiring Virtual Assistants through Business Process Outsourcing (BPO).

BPO companies such as ASL BPO have been declared as the most secure method of hiring virtual employees in 2025. They are giving entrepreneurs the opportunity to focus on their business’s core competencies thus, succeeding in the industrial market.

In this article, we will share a list of the best freelancing platforms and the top BPO companies to hire a VA, the costs, the onboarding process and more. So, stay tuned till the end to find out. 

Best Freelancing Marketplaces To Hire VA

Fiverr

A renown platform to find virtual assistants, Fiverr is being used by millions of users to hire freelancers across hundreds of classifications. Thus, if you are looking for a VA, Fiverr is the place.

Its freelancers provide unparalleled services at affordable prices. Majority of them set their rates between $5 – $10, depending on the kind of work they are offering.

This platform is used for diverse projects; for instance, social media management, administrative tasks like generating invoices, research, etc.   

Upwork

Upwork is an internationally popular freelancing site for not only virtual assistants but also web developers, graphic designers, SEO specialists, etc. 

Initially, you post a job, including all your desired specifications in the description. Upwork then scans your needs and offers you a shortlist of the best candidates best for your requirements. 

You can view each candidate’s profile and get an understanding of their qualifications. Once you have chosen, you can reach out to the candidate, communicate with them over the browser.

Moreover, Upwork has a mobile app too, which allows you to respond to messages while on the run.   

PeoplePerHour

Legally People Per House Limited is a UK-based company. They give businesses access to freelancers all over the world. It’s a trusted platform among both businesses and freelancers. 

When you first post a project, PeoplePerHour provides you with a quick form to describe your requirements. Keep in mind, the more details, the better results.

Once that is completed, their AI system starts matching and contacting the ideal candidates for your project. Each freelancer then responds with their own pitch.

Once you choose your freelancer of choice, you have to start with paying a deposit. Once the project is done and dusted, and you are satisfied with the results, you pay the freelancer through their protected payment system.

<H3> Zirtual (US-Based)

Business leaders hire VAs to lighten the load on their shoulders, get high-quality output while saving money. But finding the right VA can be a challenge if you don’t know where to look. Well, Zirtual has got your covered. 

Zirtual allows you to ask for support live giving you the opportunity to ask questions about your VA needs, making the hiring process easy. The experts ensure that your virtual assistant’s personality aligns with your company culture. 

Though this platform isn’t the cheapest, it offers unique services such as free trial options. It also ensures that every VA hired has been pre-screened and will match your business perfectly.  

VirtualStaff.ph

This freelancing platform focuses solely on the Philippines. This platform has given around 3,000 business leaders access to workers all over the country. They have access to personalized and efficient services at affordable prices.

The founders, Keither A. Cruz and Christian Roldan, used their experience as co-founder of a startup (Interactive Solutions Inc.) to create this platform. The mission is to help businesses find professional Filipino freelancers fast and easy. 

So, if you are in search of a freelancer with business development skills or technical know-how, check out VirtualStaff’s extensive resume directory of freelancers looking to be hired. They charge around $10 to $30 per hour, it varies based on the candidate’s experience and expertise.  

Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com has a user-friendly interface, professional and offers very affordable rates. This platform is known to connect talents from around the world looking for your job.

This freelancing marketplace has a majestic network of over 17,000,000 professionals from all around the world.  Thus, they are extremely knowledgeable on how to achieve a diverse array of tasks while maintaining an exceptional level of quality. 

Best BPO Companies To Hire A VA

ASL BPO

A Popular BPO company that provides a wide range of virtual assistant services. Rated highly by many of their long-term global partners, ASL BPO provides cutting-edge, client-focused solutions and full client satisfaction.

With their 24/7 virtual assistant services, ASL BPO is the go to BPO company for many business leaders. Not only are they available on demand but they also have backup virtual assistants for your immediate needs. 

The best part is ASL BPO has a quick and easy on-boarding process. To know more about them, get in touch with them. 

Belay

Founded in 2010, Belay, a US-based company, started as a Virtual Assistant services company. Belay’s VA’s common tasks include email scheduling and project management assistance. 

Belay helps a business find the right virtual assistant to align to their business needs. 

Prialto

Prialto is famous for its top notch managed administrative services focusing on hum-centered connection and empowerment. Its main goal is to amplify the lives and work of its members and its employees. 

This BPO company hires, trains, and manages assistants as full-time employees with full benefits. They also encourage them to use tools and systems that align with your business needs. 

Virtalent

A UK-based company known to excel in providing virtual assistant services. With 15 years experience in the BPO market, they ensure that their VAs have sufficient talent to satisfy any client. They work with startups and large companies and provide a unique cloud-based platform. 

Baltic Assist

Founded in 2015, Baltic Assist offers two main virtual assistant services which are virtual accounting and back-office support. This BPO company has served over 500 global companies.

Remote CoWorker

Remote Coworker is another BPO company that provides virtual assistants from the Philippines. They encourage businesses like yours to offload their repetitive, time-consuming tasks so that your businesses can focus on matters that are more important. 

Type Virtual Assistant and Their Costs

The cost of a virtual assistant can vary depending on various factors such as industry, qualifications, work experience, etc..

In the United States, the usual virtual assistant may charge you around $10-$60 per hour based on the service they provide. Moreover, offshore BPO companies have cheaper rates, especially those situated in third world countries.

 Here is a brief cost comparison chart of virtual assistants in the United States. For more details check out “What is the Cost of a Virtual Assistant in 2025”.

The Onboarding Process

Initiate A Conversation

It is important to familiarize yourself with your VA before they start working for you. Start a Zoom or Google Meet call. This call is meant to give your VA an idea about you, your process, and their initial tasks.

Your Checklist for the Initial Conversation:

• Set up their email account and give them access to the necessary tools for the tasks they’ll be doing.
• Discuss your preferred communication style. Don’t forget to mention your availability and the ideal time to get in touch with you.
• Set dates for regular meetings. Mention how often you want updates. 
• Your Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and personal preferences, make it all clear. Your assistant should know where to find it in case they need your SOP for future reference. 
• Clarify your priorities and put out all the tasks you require done. 

Weekly Updates and 1:1

Make sure you make an effort to build trust between you and your VA. Constant communication such as a call once a week keeps a great working relationship.

These calls keep you aware of your assistant’s progressa and help you uncover challenges. You can ask questions to make an input regarding the ongoing tasks. Lastly, you can also make follow-up calls to assign new tasks. 

Exchange Honest Feedbacks

Though many employers hesitate to provide constructive feedback, 57% employees actually prefer such feedback over half-hearted praise. They believe it’s the best way to grow. 

Thus, offer honest feedback, this will help your VA to correct their behavior, improve performance and help them learn. 

Here are some tips:

• Be Objective.
• Ask if they agree with your observation, basically keep it a conversation.
• Be Kind but direct. Be specific with your feedback
• Praise in Public, criticize in private.

Integrating Your Assistant

Once you and your VA become a team, it’s time you make it official.

Integrate them into your daily life. Give them additional access to meetings, email chains, and discussions. This ensures that they are always briefed about your tasks and priorities.

After you have completed the integration process, you will be more confident with assigning more complex tasks to your VAs.  

VA and Client Agreement Template

1. VA Agreement Must Haves

The overall contract should mention the services you are expecting to get done, the expected working hours and the agreed-upon rate. It should also include the sick days, holidays and vacations. Are they going to be paid and how many days each year?

2. Payment and Length of Engagement

This section of the agreement is vital. Your VA contract has to explain in detail the payment terms. How much will you pay? How often will you pay for it? Which payment method will you be using? 

Are there any opportunities for overtime, earn sales commission or some other performance-based bonus, if yes, then mention it in the contract. The contract should also mention the length of the contract and the termination terms. 

3. Independent Contractor Agreement

A Virtual Assistant is considered an independent contractor and not an employee of the company. This arrangement saves you from a certain number of traditional employer burdens like payroll taxes and employee benefits. 

4. Non Disclosure Clause

Most Virtual Assistant agreements contain a non-disclosure non-solicitation agreement. The main reason behind this is to protect your business’s assets from falling into the wrong hands. 

Moreover, an NDA section prohibits a service provider, in this case a virtual assistant, from sharing any kind of sensitive information with anyone else. You could also add a non-compete clause which stops a VA from starting a similar business within a certain timeframe.  

Sample VA Contract

Payment Management Between VA and Client

When you, a virtual assistant, are facing a late payment, here are a few tips on how to manage payment effectively.

1. Review the Contract

When reviewing the terms, make sure you pay extra attention to the payment terms, due dates, and any penalties for late payments.

2. Give them the benefit of the doubt

Be as professional as possible. It is not necessary that the client is ghosting you or trying to avoid you. Give it a week. 

There might be more than one reason why the client is delaying the payment process. Could be financial issues or project-related issues. 

3. Follow Up

It could be they missed your invoice or forgot to pay. It is best to follow up. If the client is not happy with your work, they might have not said it earlier but might say it when you follow up. 

In case of a financial crisis, empathizing with the client reflects flexibility and willingness to work with them.

4. Get in Touch with the Client 

If your follow up does not reply then try contacting them using other ways such as WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc. If you try reaching a client via phone, it’s best to write a follow up email informing them about your attempt. 

5. Initiate the Late Payment Charge

When a client constantly says that they will pay later, but it has passed a month already, it’s time for a late payment charge. 

6. Take a Legal Action

Even then, if it doesn’t work out, the last best action to take is get a lawyer to draft a letter. A letter from your lawyer will reflect the seriousness of your reasoning. This might compel the client to contact you and at least work out a payment arrangement.