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Data entry services

How to find and book a professional to complete your data entry projects.

Marc Bonne
Marc Bonne

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In this article we'll take a look at everything you need to know about data entry services to help you find a quality professional or team of professionals to help with your needs.

What are data entry services?

Data entry is the process of entering data from different sources usually from paper documents into digital data. This data could come in various forms such as medical records, student's results, office data or a list of names or addresses.

People who provide data entry services might include typists, data processors and transcribers. Most businesses outsource data entry tasks and in this way they don't have to hire permanent staff.

What does a data entry clerk do?

A data entry clerk performs numerous duties including data processing, data verification, data cleansing, research and organising databases. In order to perform the above services a clerk is likely to have good administrative and organisational skills.

How do I book a data entry service?

There are many companies and individuals online in Australia which provide data entry services. You can find them online by searching on platforms like Airtasker or in online business directories and looking for top rated companies based on positive reviews from past customers. It's also worth looking into their previous projects in order to analyse their working methods.

How much does data entry cost?

The cost of data entry services normally depends on your requirements and the type of work needed. Airtasker puts the average cost for data entry services at between $50 - $160 per job. The average hourly rate in Australia according to payscale.com is anywhere between $19 to $30.

How do I compare data entry services?

There are different ways of comparing data entry services as highlighted below:

  • Get a quote. Search on a platform like Airstasker, in an online business directory, or on Google and shortlist some companies to get a quote based on their past customers reviews.
  • Look for specific skills. Clerks will need quick typing skills and have a good eye for detail, abilities you can query candidates about.
  • Ensure the candidate is qualified. Furthermore, most organisations require a high school diploma and your data entry clerk should also be proficient in using a variety of software packages such as Microsoft Excel.

How should I prepare for a data entry service?

You should make sure that you have explained your exact needs and requirements to the clerk for a particular job. You should also set a deadline to complete the tasks. Additionally, put together all of the relevant information/data that needs to be entered so that it can be easily passed over.

How long does data entry take?

The exact time needed for data entry tasks is likely to vary based on different variables. However, your selected clerk will be able to give you an estimated timeframe by taking various factors into account. For example, the amount of work, nature of task and the effort required. The experience and skills of clerks may also have an impact on the timescale. Keeping in mind these points raised, for a small project the turn-around time could be around 7 to 14 days.

What to consider when booking a data entry clerk

When booking a data entry clerk you should ensure previous customers are satisfied with the quality of the work. You should also check that the requirements for the particular task matches the services they provide, that they have sufficient experience and are proficient in using all relevant software.

Do I need to be present for a data entry job?

If your job requires the data entry clerk to be physically at your business or home, then you can choose whether or not to be present depending on your personal circumstances.

Pros and cons of a data entry service

Pros

  • You and your employees can focus on other tasks as you'll have one less thing to worry about.
  • It might work out cheaper to outsource then if you were to hire someone directly.

Cons

  • In some instances data automation services may be more relevant and could work out cheaper in the long run.
  • There might be data-protection considerations, particularly, for sensitive data.

Bottom line

Data entry is an important task for many types of businesses, and even in your personal life. By comparing quotes and hiring someone who is skilled and experienced, you can have your data entry needs taken care of professionally.

Frequently asked questions about data entry

Can data entry work be done with confidential information?

Yes, it is wholly possible for data entry work to be done with confidential information. However, you might want to complete a 'Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the data entry clerk.

Can data entry work be completed at the weekend?

This might not be a standard service, but it should be possible to have data entry work completed over the weekend for an extra fee.

Do I need to hire a data entry worker near me?

It is not necessary to hire a data entry worker near to you. However if you want peace of mind and/or the ability to meet in person then a local data entry service might be the right fit for you.

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