There are thousands of virtual assistant (VA) providers around the world. If you're looking for a virtual assistant and are not sure how to begin your search, there are some review sites you can use to narrow down your choices. It's not always easy to trust what any companies say about themselves, so third-party reviews can help validate companies' claims.
Websites with Virtual Assistants Reviews
Several sites annually rank virtual assistant services that buyers have trusted for unbiased reviews. These are among the most highly trafficked.
Business Publications
TheBalanceSMB and Investopedia are business publications, and trained product reviewers conduct their reviews.
- TheBalance serves small to medium-sized businesses and rates VA providers for that market segment.
- Investopedia is a business website that annually ranks virtual assistant services that larger businesses and enterprise companies that are increasingly turning to VA services cost-effectively handle executive admin work.
Vendor Blogs
The rest of the sites are commercial websites of other businesses that rank VA companies for their customers and visitors in articles and blog posts.
- Time Doctor is a time tracking application and platform businesses use to improve employees' time management. The company's blog focuses on productivity, and it ranks 36 VA businesses.
- SmallBizTrends recommends 21 virtual assistant providers that small businesses can trust, though its most recent review was in 2019.
- Guru99 is a website development company that makes recommendations for adjacent products and services.
Virtual Assistant Assistant
- The Virtual Assistant Assistant (VAA) is a cleverly named website that rates virtual assistant providers and provides guides for people looking for virtual assistant jobs and those looking for service providers. Its visitors tend to be solopreneurs. Most of VAA's rankings are based on customer reviews, though the editor also writes reviews. VAA also offers sponsored content and advertising to generate revenue.
Different VA Services for Different Needs
There are no one-size-fits-all virtual assistant providers. Most of the review sites rank VA providers based on what kind of business or person they serve best. Categories include best VA services for:
- Small and Medium Businesses
- Large/Enterprise Businesses
- Executives
- Solopreneurs
- Personal Assistance
- Sales Leaders
There are also VA services focused on specific tasks like graphic design, content writing, receptionist services, and many of the sites recommend businesses in those fields.
Finally, there are several business models that VA providers use.
- Contract agencies that provide resumes based on your needs and match you with a VA you train and manage.
- Freelance marketplaces where you review VAs, put your job out to bid, and select a VA on your own.
- Managed services that recruit, hire, train, and, well, manage VAs—no extra work required on your part.
As you go through your search, there are questions you'll want to ask to make sure you get VA service that will work for you. It helps to be clear about what you want a virtual assistant to do.
Related: 7 Questions to Ask a Virtual Assistant Service Company
