Many online entrepreneurs cite the low barriers to entry and ease of access to the global market as their reasons for getting involved with retailing online. However, once they have their feet wet, many new retailers discover that there is more to e-commerce than they bargained for. Warehousing, packaging, logistics and customer service is a mammoth task for any company to undertake. Here are a few reasons why any online retailer can benefit from working with an e-commerce fulfillment company.
Can Small Business Benefit from E-commerce Fulfillment?
Just because you have a small business does not mean that you have to do everything yourself. Outsourcing your logistics operations to an e-commerce fulfillment team will enhance your reputation, build your business, and land you great testimonials from your customers. Why use your efforts when you can be handling more important issues with your company? Leave it to the professionals and concentrate on growing your business in other areas by leveraging the skills of others.
Make a Great First Impression with Your Client
The first time your client logs onto your site and checks out with a purchase is the beginning of a relationship. At this delicate stage of the customer life-cycle, you will need to do everything in your power to retain them for future business.
Logistics is 50% of the work if a client places an order and doesn’t receive it, that’s always 100% failure.
If a weak supply chain and logistics team lead to negative customer experience, then it won’t matter if you have offered the best product at the best price. The final step of any online purchase is the delivery, and your business can’t afford to mess a delivery up by being late.
Create a WOW Experience for Your Customer
The hallmark of any online e-commerce retailer is their shipping time. If you aren’t offering free-shipping and guarantees of your delivery times, then your customers will find someone that does. In today’s instant economy, people don’t want their products right now; they wanted them yesterday.
By working with an experienced e-commerce fulfillment team, you close the bridge from checkout to delivery that much faster. Every second you save the customer on delivery time is priceless. If you are a retailer that is reluctant to outsource your logistics, then consider the following questions;
How will you cope with an increase in the number of SKUs in your inventory?
Holidays like Black Friday present an astounding logistics challenge, are you ready for a peak shopping period and increases in volume?
Can you handle seasonal SKUs and products?
Do you have the systems in place to manage your stores efficiently? Do you avoid overstocking?
Can you predict your fast-moving merchandise and accommodate it in your cash-flow?
Do you provide express delivery and do you meet your delivery commitments to your customer?
Can you handle reverse logistics in the case of returns and refunds?
If you have answered no to any of the above questions, then your business is at risk. Avoid the pitfalls related to poor logistics management and enquire about an e-commerce fulfillment solution that is custom tailored to your companies’ exact requirements.
Work with Professionals
When it’s time to put together your e-commerce fulfillment solution, make sure that you choose to work with professionals. Your choice of fulfillment partner should have a solid track record in the logistics industry. Your fulfillment partner needs to understand your business and your needs.
One Solution to Fulfil You
As your business expands, it’s important to let go of trivial tasks to allow your business to grow. Delegating logistics responsibilities to established partners with solid market reputation will allow you to focus your efforts on other critical areas of business.
In today’s economy, you need to remain flexible and reliable to your clients. Working with a fulfillment company will help you deliver for your customer on time, every time. Piggyback on the success of a professional fulfillment team and grow the reputation of your brand as a company that delivers.
