Running an online store used to take up all of my time.
Between updating products, replying to customers, posting on social media, and managing inventory, I was working late into the night—every single day. I knew I needed to scale, but I was trapped in the daily grind.
That’s when I discovered the power of e-commerce automation.
In this article, I’ll share exactly how I saved 20+ hours every week by automating key parts of my webshop, the tools I used, and how hiring a Virtual Personal Assistant helped me go even further.
If you’re running a Shopify, WooCommerce, or any type of online shop, this guide is for you.
Why Automation Is Essential for E-commerce Growth
If you want to scale your online shop without burning out, automation is not optional—it’s essential.
Here’s what automation can do:
- Eliminate repetitive tasks
- Reduce human error
- Improve customer experience
- Increase conversion rates
- Free up time for growth-focused work
And best of all? Many automation tools are affordable or even free.
What I Automated to Save 20+ Hours a Week
Here’s a breakdown of what I automated—and how much time each saved me.
1. Order Confirmation & Tracking Emails
Time saved: 3–4 hours/week
I used tools like Shopify Flow and Klaviyo to automate transactional emails. Customers get automatic updates, and I don’t have to manually respond to shipping questions anymore.
2. Inventory Alerts & Reordering
Time saved: 2 hours/week
Instead of manually checking stock, I set up automated low inventory alerts using Stocky and synced reorder thresholds with my suppliers.
3. Social Media Scheduling
Time saved: 4–5 hours/week
With Buffer and Later, I create a week’s worth of content in one sitting. No more daily stress over posting.
4. Abandoned Cart Emails
Time saved: 1–2 hours/week (and boosted sales!)
Using Klaviyo, I set up a 3-part email series triggered when someone leaves their cart. It runs on autopilot and brings in consistent revenue.
5. Customer Support with a Chatbot
Time saved: 5+ hours/week
I integrated Tidio to handle FAQs, order status requests, and return policies—so I only respond to complex queries.
6. Product Upload Templates
Time saved: 2 hours/week
I built a spreadsheet with pre-filled fields for SEO-optimized titles, tags, and descriptions, which syncs directly into Shopify.
The Bonus Trick: Hiring a Virtual Personal Assistant
Automation is powerful—but combining automation with a Virtual Personal Assistant (VPA) is where the real magic happens.
I hired a VPA to:
- Monitor automation flows
- Manage customer escalations
- Update SOPs and documentation
- Prepare content for email and social media
- Handle product uploads from suppliers
Now I’m not just saving time—I’m running a business that can scale without me doing everything.
The Results
After just one month of automation and virtual support:
- I saved 20+ hours/week
- My abandoned cart recovery increased by 18%
- Customer satisfaction improved (faster replies!)
- I could finally focus on marketing, partnerships, and growth
Want to Save Time and Grow Smarter?
At CiCoor Sourcing, we help online shop owners automate smartly and find experienced Virtual Personal Assistants who understand e-commerce workflows.
Contact us today to get started with automation and virtual support today.
