Business services are the non-physical products and services that help businesses perform their functions. They include a broad range of activities such as warehousing, transport facilities, marketing services and other miscellaneous activities. Business services are different from goods as they don’t have a physical form and cannot be stored for future use.

People who work in business services are able to offer a variety of solutions that can save companies time and money. Whether it’s developing a social media strategy for a brand or helping a sales department with lead generation, these professionals are always finding ways to improve a company’s productivity. And, with new communication technologies and outsourcing options available, the demand for jobs in business services continues to grow.

There are many opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to start a business service. For example, an electrician can offer his or her services as an independent contractor while a plumber can open a plumbing business. This type of service-based business offers an opportunity to create a successful enterprise based on one’s expertise and is often a faster path to generating revenue than a product business. Additionally, a service-based business can be run remotely to allow the owner flexibility and control of their schedule.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the business services sector, it also has provided an opportunity for startups to fill in gaps where large corporations have had trouble hiring employees or finding temporary workers. For instance, a remote-work program such as Break Free Academy allows people to learn skills they can use to work as virtual assistants, customer support agents or other roles.

Many businesses that require services outsource them to third-party providers, as it is often more cost-effective and efficient than hiring in-house staff to handle the work. These firms include marketing agencies, accounting and consulting firms and information technology (IT) departments. A company that requires these services may be a retail store, financial institution or healthcare provider.

Another important business service is warehousing, which involves managing and maintaining inventory and distribution of goods to customers. It includes activities such as storing and tracking products, separating merchandise into smaller lots for individual sales, picking orders, packing goods, shipping and handling returns. This type of business service is essential to the functioning of most retailers and wholesalers.

Consulting services are another type of business service that helps companies with a variety of tasks, including market research and risk assessment. Consultants can also provide training on topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership and human resources. They can even assist with business expansion in foreign markets and help companies develop their brand and marketing strategy.