Success in the packed eCommerce market depends on more than a robust product line and spot-on brand. Order fulfillment is the process of getting your products from your online store into your customers’ hands easily and efficiently. It can make or destroy your customer experience — and your company as a whole.

When you began, you may have managed packing, ordering, and shipping internally. But as your company grows, it becomes more time-consuming and unsustainable to DIY the whole fulfillment process. Moreover, your operations must be accurate, ready for supply chain disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this blog, we’ll share with you five tips to discover reliable fulfillment services for your business.

Are fulfillment charges easy to understand?

Some 3PLs charge per SKU, unit, pallet, or item, while others impose by the hour. You may also see price structures detailed by service providers, such as storage fees, setup fees, and shipping costs.

No matter what, the fee structure should be clear and easy to understand so you can predict costs. Some of the best 3PLs offer security guarantees, such as $50 per order, if they break goods or make a late delivery.

Have they worked with similar businesses like yours?

A 3PL with a consumer base of similar companies — industry and size — is more likely to care for your fulfillment requirements without charging much or performing logistical errors.

For example, if you trade perishables, you’ll need a fulfillment company with a track record of timely delivery and stringent adherence to temperature and light powers. Look for such a provider that’s experienced with your market and has glowing testimonials.

Do they promote your eCommerce platform?

Most 3PLs provide integrations with significant eCommerce sites like WooCommerce, Shopify, and eBay, but that doesn’t mean their methods are optimized for your particular eCommerce store. Make sure the software is cooperative with your platform, end to end, from your stock listings and shopping cart to your shipping verification emails.

Do they have an updated tech mass and provide data analytics?

In one survey, 93% of eCommerce companies said powerful technology capabilities are essential in their 3PL. Working with a 3PL enables you to gain data-driven insights for your eCommerce business. These companies are at the vanguard of fulfillment technology and real-time data acquisition, creating opportunities to enhance customer experience and overcome logistical risk.

Hire a fulfillment service provider that does more than simply ship orders. Ask about how they’re spending in their software stack, increasing integrations, and supporting their customers to solve problems using data.

Are they ready for supply chain disruptions?

There’s no bright bullet to defend the economic consequences of pandemics, fraud attacks, extreme weather, severe labour shortages, and other unforeseen events. That said, every 3PL should have mechanisms and partnerships that help decrease losses and stop slowdowns while maintaining health and safety.

Ask your potential eCommerce fulfillment partners about their disaster preparation plan. How will they hold product lines moving and customers notified?

Bottom Line

Dropshipping, in-house fulfillment and third-party logistics (3PL) are all great options to increase your sales and improve customer satisfaction. When your eCommerce company grows, you don’t need to hire hundreds of staffers or sign long warehouse leases to handle your logistics. We recommend outsourcing your stocking, picking, ordering, shipping, and returns to an expert eCommerce fulfillment service like us, and focus on your core business operations.