Picking a Fulfillment Partner: 7 Things to Consider First

Anticipate growth

Development is something every e-commerce brand strives for. Growth, and much more of it. So why, then, do so many wait until they're in the thick of the growth to start considering how to handle inventory and fulfillment? Is it a"careful what you wish for" moment?

It has been exciting to see your company grow and to see the rate of the growth. It has been an exciting journey for sure. The great news is, it is far from over. The question is, are you prepared?

As your marketing efforts bring a wider reach into new markets, along with your viewers and consequent orders continue to grow exponentially, what was working for you a short while ago is not going to work down the line. Finally (and happily) you will realize that you will need to start considering upping your inventory and fulfillment game if you would like to remain on top of your e-commerce sales. Future growth will depend on it.

Be strategic and proactive

Keeping pace and staying flexible in your ability to ride these new operational requirements will ask you to think more strategically. More proactively. How you once managed things as a startup may not support the quantity or complexity of what you are starting to experience now. And as your next growth spurt might be just around the corner, it is very likely that this is the ideal time to begin planning for that next stage. In contemplating your next steps, the notion of outsourcing to a Third-Party Logistics provider (3PL) could be something for you to look at.

We know that growth could be frightening. There are a lot of things to consider when searching for business services to assist you as your company grows. There are lots of 3PL services on the market, each offering varied and at times multilayered alternatives. Finding the ideal fit for your company might take a while, but before you start, it'll be helpful to break down a few of the things that you need to know, consider and plan for when looking for a 3PL partner to assist you.

What's a 3PL and what do they do?

While every 3PL provider operates differently, they basically function as a command center for order prepping and sending their client's goods, typically offering the services of an off-site warehousing facility.

These services will often charge by the device or pallet, including costs for storage, pick-and-pack, bundling, and installation. Transactional fees, such as shipping and receiving, and reoccurring fees, such as storage, are also routinely applied.

What are the advantages of outsourcing to a 3PL provider?

Among the advantages of outsourcing to a fulfillment center is that the facility will expand and shrink based on your needs. Many companies offer flexible pricing and can fix fees as demand for your product rises and drops or the quantity of product being warehoused fluctuates. Working with a logistics firm takes each the operational responsibilities of stock management and order fulfillment off your plate, leaving you a lot more time to concentrate on the continued growth and expansion of your company.

How will a 3PL provider save money?

You are not in the warehouse company --you are in the company of selling your merchandise to customers. In a national average cost of $1.10 space per square foot, even higher in urban centers, leasing warehouse space just does not appear to be a cost-effective approach. And handling such a facility includes a whole laundry list of demands. Is this where you want to be spending your time? Time which translates into money?

The ideal 3PL provider can expand to meet your business demands rather than disappoint those clients you worked so long and difficult to attain. And one bad experience is all you require. In this period of increased customer expectations and online reviews, it is imperative to make certain that your inventory and order fulfillment capabilities don't have any gaps, snags or missed deliveries. With a professional by your side who's capable of meeting the changes in your company whilst still ensuring on-time delivery at each turn is reinvesting in your brand, and that's money well spent and kept.

More also:

https://www.connectpos.com/boost-holiday-sales-with-holiday-gift-cards/

https://www.connectpos.com/how-to-sell-more-gift-cards-this-holiday-season/

https://www.connectpos.com/marketing-tactics-to-boost-sales/

https://www.connectpos.com/marketing-email-customers-likely-to-open/

https://www.connectpos.com/how-to-increase-your-average-order-value/

https://www.connectpos.com/things-to-think-about-if-you-own-multiple-retail-locations/

https://www.connectpos.com/retail-marketing-trends-continue-to-thrive-in-2019-and-2020/

7 things to Consider

We have written on the subject of fulfillment before, but now that we have got you thinking about fulfillment solutions, maybe we can help you decide what the first couple of boxes are that have to be filled. (See what we did there?)

Let's begin with:

#1 Location

Pick the best location for a possible fulfillment house partner may be one of the more challenging choices to be made during the selection procedure. These things need to be considered:

Where's your product manufactured?
- Where are your clients located?
- Does it make sense for the fulfillment house to be nearer to you, your product, or your clients?

A cost analysis for transporting your goods from point to point to ascertain where there may be efficiencies in transport is the best way to spot where the fulfillment house ought to be located. Sadly, the job is in your court to answer this one. Get a great night's sleep and sharpen your pencils!

#2 Warehouse Environment

Fulfillment spaces offer different forms of internal environments and lodging. If your product is perishable or possibly prone to changes in temperature or humidity, it is ideal that you look for a fulfillment center with environmental controls. If your merchandise is food-related, you'll have to look for a 3PL partner with a focus on food security and who has the necessary food security certificates.

# 3 Similar Expertise

Does the satisfaction house specialize in any specific sort of business?
Do they have or have they had a customer with a similar item?
Similar packaging and shipping needs?
A similar route to customer satisfaction?

A positive response to these questions will indicate they have important experience which they might apply to your business, enabling them to not only meet your orders in an accurate and timely fashion, but to recommend strategies and suggestions for logistical success during your partnership.

#4 Client Support

How do you get in contact with the fulfillment house?
What methods of contact can be found?
What's best for you?

Fulfillment is an very important facet of your organization. Customer satisfaction is largely determined by receipt of your merchandise correctly and in a timely manner, and customer expectations for delivery are now running at an all-time large. Should a problem arise, you will need to understand that you can quickly contact Customer Support so the situation might be rectified.

#5 Shipping Rates

Be sure you have a complete comprehension of what you'll be charged for. Ask questions about the shipping prices.

Does the fulfillment house have contracted rates for little package and LTL shipping?
Are there any discounts available?
Can there be a range of options for pricing transport?
What carriers do they use?

See more :

/case-study-the-sewing-studio/

/free-try-pwa-consumer-app-and-customer-screen/

/connectpos-partner-cardknoxpayment/

/connectpos-supports-offline-mode/

/progressive-web-app-native-app/

/the-easiest-ways-to-get-more-repeat-customers/

/marketing-ideas-to-raise-sales-besides-mass-discounts/

#6 Volume Limits

Because you're a company on the smaller side and are just considering shifting your fulfillment to an external supplier, it is critical that you understand what fees are involved. Add these questions to your own inquiries:

Does the fulfillment house work with businesses of your size?
Are there any product minimums for warehousing which will need to be maintained?
Are there any minimal transactions for shipping which will need to be met?
Are there any additional charges if those minimums aren't met?

#7 laps at Packaging

Every company has slightly different merchandise and needs, and your needs will change as your company expands. Before signing with a fulfillment house, you will need to understand if they could quickly pivot and change their internal processes and tailor made processes to achieve exactly what you want and desire to achieve.

Difference is the spice of life--and customer experience is important to brand success. An exceptional unboxing encounter can be a point of difference for your organization. Consider that 61 percent of clients say they are moved to buy products after seeing impressive customer photographs on social networking and 55% admit to being curious about a product after seeing"unboxing" videos on social networking. Adding gap to your packaging in the kind of branded packaging, tissue, stickers and personalized messages is vital to set your product and brand apart from your competition. You want to comprehend your satisfaction house can adapt quickly to honor your requests to change your packaging, how your goods are packed and what goes into every bundle.

Are there any limits to the packing procedure?
Can personalized messages or inserts be added to the packaging?

Medallion Retail Can Inventory, Shipping and Fulfillment

During our more than 55 years in retail, Medallion has touched virtually every facet of the company, including operating our own fulfillment house. Medallion Retail's IFS service provides turnkey fulfillment solutions for both emerging and established brands by handling the reception, consolidation, processing and coordination of product supply.

Our 10,000-square-foot centre is equipped to area and meet complicated pick-and-packs that we provide on a national or global basis and with ease to a retail site. This translates into cost-effectiveness and efficiencies that just a detailed inventory, fulfillment and warehouse management centre can offer.

More also:

https://www.connectpos.com/connectpos-launches-on-shopify-marketplace/

https://www.connectpos.com/connectpos-support-retailers-amid-covid-19-pandemic/

https://www.connectpos.com/60-stats-and-trends-define-ecommerce-future-2020/

https://www.connectpos.com/get-ready-for-black-friday-the-biggest-sales-of-the-year/

https://www.connectpos.com/case-study-store-1892/

https://www.connectpos.com/retail-react-to-covid-19/

https://www.connectpos.com/wireless-pos-customer-monitor/

https://www.connectpos.com/connectpos-new-feature-pwa/