How to Calculate Shipping Costs for e-Fulfillment Services
As an e-commerce business, your company goes through a lot to decide on how much to charge for each product. Several factors go into that decision along with input from different staff on your team. However, it’s important to consider the cost of e-commerce fulfillment services before making final decisions on what your customers will be paying for any given product. There is definitely a fine line in figuring out what to charge and how that process works. If you end up not charging enough, your net profit could take a serious hit. If you charge too much, customers might...
Explaining Pick and Pack Services
Pick and pack is a set of services that aims to enhance order assembly and delivery; it is provided by many third-party fulfillment companies. Pick and pack allows for more customizable or intricate types of orders and empowers businesses with the ability to offer better product bundles or packages. Although the name "pick and pack" refers to a specific part of the method, the actual process begins well before an order is even placed. The following is how pick-and-pack fulfillment services usually play out. Reception and Storage Pick and pack fulfillment center is based around a central warehouse location. Obviously,...Looking for Outsourcing Fulfillment Services
Whether you’re just starting your e-commerce business or are experiencing growth and are ready to expand, outsourcing your e-fulfillment services is a must. So long as your business is shipping physical products, it will need to incorporate a comprehensive system for effectively shipping the product to the end user. Considering a 3PL Provider Third-party logistics (3PL) companies have evolved greatly. They now offer much more than just inventory storage and pick & pack services. (more…)
E-commerce Fulfillment Trends for in 2016
With the new year approaching, now is a good time to start planning ahead for how your e-commerce business will handle the demands of 2016. The growing shift from brick-and-mortar stores to online ordering and fulfillment can present a host of opportunities, but only if you're savvy enough to stay at the forefront of what consumers are going to be demanding. Here are some trends that are expected to become a central focus of e-commerce fulfillment strategies throughout 2016. Automated Processing One of the advantages of online ordering is that it allows for a level of customization that is not...
Why Online Fulfillment Services are Good for E-Commerce Businesses
It’s becoming more common to have companies conduct all of their business online. But even if your company completes all of its transactions through e-commerce channels, those physical products still need to be shipped. And because those products need to be shipped, businesses must set up a product fulfillment service to ensure those packages are getting to the customers. This is not as straightforward as it seems. Shipping a product to its destination happens in several different stages and requires the participation of multiple industries. Successful product fulfillment occurs when a reliable system is put in place—one where communication is...
How to Ensure Quality Kitting Services
Kitting and pick & pack services are also known as product assembly. This is the process where items are brought together and bundled into a single packaged product for the customer to receive. It is a basic but important part of warehouse service and delivery. Inefficient or ineffective kitting practices slow down the whole workflow and increase the risk of errors finding their way to the customers’ doorsteps. Fortunately, there are some steps that can be taken to ensure accurate and proper kitting is done. Bill of Materials You may be surprised at how often smaller items are left out...
Achieving Profitable Product Fulfillment
Technology has done a lot to transform the workplace, from improving communication and connectivity, to incorporating new means of marketing, storage, and tracking systems. Of all that technology has brought to the workplace, one of its greatest downsides lies in what it has done to customer expectations. Increased Demand and Expectations Customers now demand near flawless products within their price range. They also expect more value for what they are purchasing, and if they don’t get that with your company, they’ll move on to the next. This is true for product fulfillment services, as well. Businesses—whether local, small, or large—who...
How 3PL Supports Your Order Fulfillment Needs
It may seem simplistic, but often the most effective way for manufacturers today to manage their product fulfillment services is to turn the responsibility over to a third party logistics company (3PL). When manufacturers and retailers really assess the work that goes into properly organizing distribution—regulations, volatile costs, customer demands—then they would agree hiring a 3PL is the better way to go. In addition to 3PLs being able to better manage order fulfillment, there are other more practical reasons that manufacturers should consider hiring 3PLs. We’ll discuss some of the top benefits in this article. Cost Savings For any business,...Better Fulfillment for Maximum E-Commerce Productivity
Many small businesses may not realize the impact order fulfillment has on a company’s bottom line. Adjusting the price of products or implementing clever marketing strategies are usually top of mind when thinking of ways to improve revenue. But a sound order fulfillment process can be equally as rewarding and produce a return on investment worth the time it takes to develop the process. The proliferation of e-commerce in the operation of many businesses has made the task of fulfillment that much more challenging. Retailers are making offers—like free shipping—that are difficult to manage, yet they do this as a...
Holiday Challenges for E-commerce Order Fulfillment
The festive season will soon arrive, and with it will come the busiest time of year for many businesses. This applies equally to e-commerce retailers and businesses with physical stores. Holidays bring with them their own set of challenges for successful order fulfillment along with worse consequences for mistakes. Learning what pitfalls to expect is the first step in navigating the flurry of activity and coming out safely at the other end. Customer Loyalty Normally, customers will stick to a specific set of e-commerce businesses for their product purchases with only occasional variance. During the holidays—amidst the sales and shipping options...
