At BitBag, an eCommerce software agency, we’ve always worked as a fully remote team. Our eCommerce developers, designers, and project managers live in different cities and even different countries - yet we work together every day as if we were in the same room. Modern tools and fast internet make this possible, and it raises a question many businesses are now asking: Do we still need to be on-site to get great results?
This isn’t just a question about location. It’s about how we work, how projects are delivered, and what clients expect in 2025. The truth is, the way we work has changed faster in the last five years than in the previous two decades.
The rise of distributed teams
The shift started slowly. In the early 2000s, a few companies let employees work from home once a week. The technology wasn’t always great - slow internet, clunky tools, poor video quality. But over time, tools improved, and the idea became more and more appealing.
Then came a turning point: the COVID-19 pandemic. Practically overnight, millions of people started working from home full-time. Businesses had no choice but to adapt. And what they discovered was surprising:
- Projects still got done
- Clients were still happy
- In many cases, productivity actually went up
At the same time, companies realized they could save on office costs, and remote employees enjoyed more flexibility. The old assumption that “serious work” had to happen in a shared office began to fade.
For us, this wasn’t anything new. We’ve been remote since day one. Our clients - both local and international - know that location doesn’t limit quality. If anything, we believe our distributed setup to be one of our biggest strengths!
Why Virtual Teams work
From our perspective, virtual team project management has clear advantages:
- Access to the best talent
We can hire based on skills, not postal codes. Whether someone is in Warsaw, Berlin, or the Canary Islands, if they’re the right fit, they can join the team. - Cost efficiency
Without the overhead of large office spaces, we can invest more in tools, training, and delivering better results for clients. - Flexibility and productivity
Team members can work at their most productive hours. Some people like to start their work at 6, while others at 10. Still, core hours are a necessity, so everyone’s available for collaboration when needed. - Happier teams
No commuting means less stress and more time for personal life. We believe that happy people do better work.
The challenges of managing virtual project teams
Of course, we don’t pretend remote work’s perfect. It has its challenges:
- Time zone differences
Scheduling meetings across five time zones can be tricky. We solve this by agreeing on core hours when everyone’s available. - Building trust and team spirit
Without shared lunches or casual kitchen chats, building personal connections takes effort. We make up for it with in-person meetups. - Communication gaps
Written messages can be misunderstood. That’s why we use video calls for important, complex matters. - Technology dependence
We can’t let a poor internet connection ruin our plans. So we’ve got backup communication channels and offline work plans to be ready for those moments.
https://bitbag.io/blog/the-challenge-of-ecommerce-project-management
Virtual vs On-site: Which works better?
The honest answer is, as usual, it depends.
On-site teams can solve certain problems faster thanks to face-to-face interaction. You can read body language, jump into a meeting room, or brainstorm on a whiteboard instantly.
But virtual teams, when set up well, can match and sometimes exceed that speed as they also bring unique strengths:
- Broader perspectives from a more diverse team.
- Lower costs that can make projects more competitive.
Manage virtual teams
For software development, UX design, digital marketing, and many types of virtual project management, remote collaboration works beautifully. All tasks - from daily stand-ups to final client presentations - can happen online without losing any efficiency.
New projects can be kicked off within hours, even if the client is in another country. Everyone sees the same documents, boards, and progress in real time.
Keys to remote success
Our experience has taught us that effective distributed teams rely on:
Clear communication
- Use virtual meetings/video calls for important discussions.
- Keep updates short but regular.
- Document decisions, so everyone’s on the same page.
The right virtual project management tools
- Project management platforms like Jira.
- Cloud storage for documents.
- Video conferencing tools with screen sharing.
Visible goals
- Measure progress by results, not hours.
- Keep achievements transparent to all team members.
Human connection
- Find room for casual conversations too, not just task-focused meetings.
- Celebrate even little successes together, even virtually.
Everyday habits are also helpful to limit the cons of remote setup:
- Keep a consistent work schedule with breaks.
- Have a dedicated workspace to mentally switch into “work mode.”
Maintaining company culture remotely
Some worry that remote teams can’t build a strong company culture, but we’ve found the opposite. At BitBag, culture is created through consistency. We’ve built rituals like Camera Friday, Slack shoutouts for birthdays and achievements. Even in a digital space, morale grows when you make time for human connection.
Our experience: Why remote works for us
Being remote allowed BitBag to work with clients we’d never have reached if we were tied to one location. We’ve run projects with stakeholders on three continents at once. We’ve scaled teams up and down quickly depending on client needs.
Most importantly, our remote setup means we can always find the right expert for the job - not just the closest one.
BitBag’s secret sauce
At BitBag, we work remotely on a daily basis, but we meet in person when it matters most. That might be for project kick-offs, company-wide integrations, key workshops, or important reviews. These short, focused meetups help us build stronger relationships and tackle complex problems faster - without the need to be in the same place every day. It’s a balance that keeps the freedom of remote work while adding the connection that only face-to-face communication can bring.
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How clients benefit from remote teams
Clients might assume that they need face-to-face contact to maintain control and quality. But remote setups can be even more transparent. With shared repositories, project boards, regular video check-ins, and access to real-time updates, clients are often more informed and involved than in a traditional setup. They can monitor progress daily, join review calls from anywhere, with no need to wait for an in-office demo with everybody gathered in one room.
Remote work and sustainability
There’s also a broader benefit: sustainability. A remote-first model means fewer commutes, less office energy usage, and minimal business travel. This leads to a smaller carbon footprint, not just for us, but for our clients too. It’s a subtle but powerful way to align our work with environmental responsibility, all while staying productive and flexible. Mother Earth is a pretty awesome planet, so let’s take good care of her, also while working!
The future of project teams
Looking ahead, we believe the future’s not about “remote vs on-site” but about flexibility. Companies will choose the model that best fits each project - and drives real project progress. With the rise of AI tools, VR meetings, and even 3D virtual workspaces, remote collaboration will only get more powerful.
We expect to see more hybrid setups where teams meet in person occasionally, but do most work online. That offers the best of both worlds: human connection and digital efficiency.
Final thoughts - do offices still matter?
In some industries, YES. But in eCommerce, software, and many creative fields, virtual teams can match or even beat office teams.
At BitBag, we’ve shown that with the right tools, processes, and culture, remote is not a downgrade - it’s an upgrade. It’s faster, smarter, and opens the door to talent you could never reach otherwise.
For us, the old office model only makes sense when absolutely necessary. For everything else, the future is already here - and it’s remote!
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