selecting the right eCommerce fulfillment service
Introduction
Selecting the right eCommerce fulfillment service is crucial for your business’s success in the digital marketplace today. Efficient order fulfillment can make or break your brand, affecting customer satisfaction and revenue growth. A reliable and fast fulfillment partner can help you build a loyal customer base and boost your sales. Conversely, poor fulfillment services can damage your reputation and lead to business failure.
Choosing the ideal eCommerce fulfillment service involves evaluating several key aspects: order processing, inventory management, efficient packaging, timely pickups, live tracking, and on-time delivery. For growing businesses, the fulfillment process becomes more complex with additional needs, proper handling of returns, and reducing failed delivery attempts.
As a business owner, you have numerous responsibilities. Spending days to find the perfect fulfillment service isn’t practical. To simplify this task, we’ve compiled a comprehensive checklist to help you select the best eCommerce fulfillment service for your business. If your current logistics partner isn’t meeting these criteria, it might be time to switch.
1. Prioritise Fast Delivery Speed
According to a 2021 Global Consumer Survey, 41% of consumers are willing to pay extra for same-day delivery. Many customers are prepared to pay more to receive their orders within 3-4 hours.
Leading eCommerce fulfillment services offer same-day and next-day delivery options in major cities. If your fulfillment solution takes more than 3-4 days for delivery, consider a faster alternative.
Small to medium-sized businesses should opt for integrated fulfillment solutions that offer benefits like omnichannel pickups real-time tracking, and same-day delivery . Omnichannel is a term used in ecommerce and retail to describe a business strategy that aims to provide a seamless shopping experience across all channels, including in store, mobile, and online.
2. Micro-Fulfillment Centres Over Traditional Warehouses
When selecting an eCommerce fulfillment provider, consider the location of their warehouses. Longer delivery distances increase delivery times. Same-day delivery is challenging if your inventory is stored far from your customers.
The best fulfillment services now use micro-warehouses—small storage facilities located in city centres close to your customers. Products stay here briefly and are delivered within hours.
Alternatively, choose a logistics provider which offers pickups from your local retail outlets like main groceries store, Sainsburys, CO-OP, Tesco Etc.
3. Capability to Scale On-Demand
Most businesses experience peak sales seasons once or twice a year, such as during festive periods or summer sales. If your business is over a year old, you likely know your peak sales months. The question is, can your fulfillment service scale operations during these peak times?
Local vendors might struggle to handle increased demand. Choosing a Leading logistics company that can offer the flexibility to scale up operations anytime, helping your brand expand in these busy periods.
4. Efficient Returns Management
Return to Origin (RTO) orders can be a major issue for consumer brands. Orders are more likely to be rejected if your fulfillment service causes delivery delays or fails to provide timely tracking updates.
To reduce RTOs, choose a fulfillment partner with a strong on-time delivery record. A strong relationship with a logistics’ company can seriously help with a seamless service and reduce RTOs and rejected orders by up to 50%. Choosing a company which uses digital tracking systems ensures you reduce lose of packages to returned inventory.
5. Technology-Driven Operations
Find an eCommerce fulfillment service that leverages technology. Manual inventory management and shipment tracking are prone to errors. Over the next two years, 29% of companies will plan to automate warehouse management and adopt advanced technologies.
Companies using AI-powered route optimization will speed up deliveries. Their automated warehouse management system ensures smooth handling of stored inventory and order dispatch. They also offer real-time tracking and use geo-fencing to prevent fake delivery attempts.
Experts predict a technological revolution in the logistics sector. Choose an eCommerce fulfillment partner that uses technology to optimize operations and enhance efficiency.
A reliable, cost-effective, and fast eCommerce fulfillment service can solve all your logistics challenges, from first-mile pickups to last-mile deliveries. Partner with SARR Logistics UK and give your business a competitive edge.
Conclusion
FAQ
What is eCommerce fulfillment?
Ecommerce fulfillment is the process of getting orders to customers who make purchases online. It can involve tasks like receiving inventory, storing and packing products, shipping orders, and handling customer service and returns.
How do you counteract issues with order fulfilment?
You should invest in automation and integrated fulfillment systems (warehouse management, inventory management, etc.) as the use of these tech tools can help to eliminate human errors. You need to know that if a customer has an issue that it will be handled with as much care and concern as possible.
What are the challenges faced in fulfillment?
Sometimes, orders are filled inaccurately. Inaccurate order fulfillment may occur when an order is incorrectly recorded, or it might occur during the picking and packing phase. Either way, the end result is an upset customer or vendor.
SARR Logistics UK
With a legacy built on trust, backed by extensive experience, a global network, and a customer-centric approach, SARR Logistics UK emerges as the ultimate partner for all your supply chain mapping needs. We are in touch with the latest cloud base systems and eCommerce fulfillment systems and warehousing solutions.
If you would like to know more reach out to us today and experience a seamless, efficient, and dependable shipping solution tailored to elevate your business. For further inquiries and to explore how SARR Logistics UK can help you contact our team today.
