Order fulfilment services are an important part of the online shopping experience. Today’s customers are used to next-day or even same-day delivery. Therefore, anything that takes longer than two days could result in customers rather purchasing from your competitors as opposed to purchasing from you. The reason for that is that quick and efficient order fulfilment is closely related to customer experience and satisfaction.
Order fulfilment can be a headache for e-commerce businesses to manage themselves. This is because the logistics can be complex and time-consuming leading to some companies neglecting this important function. If your order fulfilment process isn’t consistent and well-planned out, your shipments may not always arrive on time. Consequently, it can be very harmful to your business’s reputation.
However, there is a way you can manage your order fulfilment process to help your e-commerce business stay on top. By partnering with the correct fulfilment partner and utilising their order fulfilment services you can optimise your shipping process from order to delivery, and even returns. An ideal partner will be able to customise their order filfullment services to your company’s needs.
What are Order Fulfilment Services?
Order fulfilment services cover the complete process – from the moment a sale takes place, all the way through to delivery. The process starts with a customer placing an order through an online shop or website. After that, the order is processed, picked and packaged, dispatched for delivery and ends once the customer receives it. If this customer would like to return the product as well, the return transaction will also form part of this process that is managed by your filfilment partner.
The order filfilment services offered by your fulfilment partner include:
- Receiving: An order fulfilment service will receive, unpack and store a client’s inventory.
- Inventory management: Order fulfilment services manage inventory by possibly making use of inventory software to track stock moving in and out.
- Order management: This includes tracking orders from when a customer purchases all through to the end where a product is delivered. This includes handling product returns if needed.
- Regular feedback: Order fulfilment partners should provide their partners with regular and detailed feedback to empower these companies to track the entire logistics process every step of the way.
This process and the shipping options that are presented to the customer directly affect their buying habits. Customers want delivery options that are convenient and best suited to their individual needs. That’s why businesses offering a mix of shipping options often build better reputations and relationships with their customers.
It’s also crucial to be transparent with customers on what the timelines are for order fulfilment so they can set their expectations accordingly.
In order to gain a competitive advantage, it’s vital to deliver on customer expectations for quick delivery and prompt return services. And you can do so by optimising and streamlining your order fulfilment processes.
Three ways you can ensure that your product ends up in the customer’s hands
1. Sell your product from a drop shipper who will fulfill orders for you.
2. Fulfill your orders independently, either on your own or with a team.
3. Work with a third-party logistics company that will handle your fulfilment.
Order fulfilment challenges
There are obvious benefits to packing and shipping your orders independently. However, if your business is growing at a rapid pace, you may want to explore outsourcing order fulfilment services through a third-party logistics company.
As a trusted international logistics company, you can consider Arch International Logistics as your business partner. You can trust us to fully optimise your order fulfilment process and customise it to your specific business case.
If your business is outgrowing the capacity to ship its own orders, we can help you optimise the processes you already have in place. Alternatively, we can even take over your order fulfilment strategy entirely.
How Does Outsourcing Order Fulfilment Services Work?
Outsourced order fulfilment is as simple as your product orders going straight to your chosen logistics company. They then take care of the packaging and shipping. Typically, outsourced order fulfilment services are a more practical and cost-effective way of ensuring that your customers receive their orders. And on time, every time.
Businesses usually opt for this service when they feel they are losing track of their inventory or when they are outgrowing their current infrastructure. Managing your own order fulfilment can become a great task and if not managed perfectly can lead to many unhappy customers. This is especially tricky when your business is growing more complex by the day. But luckily, that’s where Arch International Logistics comes in.
Our International Logistics and Landside Services will take care of your order fulfilment process. From importing your required raw materials and products to delivering to your customers right on time.
In turn, you get more time to focus on other aspects of your business with complete peace of mind.
Our customers are benefiting in the following ways
Here are a few concrete benefits to outsourcing order fulfillment services:
1. Lower operating costs
When you use a third party, many expenses become shared among all the customers using the facility. For instance, labour, rent, equipment, utilities and other overheads.
2. Cheaper shipping
Shipping rates are driven by order volume. Therefore, by working with a third-party logistics company partner, you get access to better freight rates.
3. Enhanced online shopping experience
When working with a third-party fulfillment company, they provide customer support and an efficient returns process. Thereby, you improve your customer service and get better logistics operations.
Bring Your eCommerce Business Into the Future
Running a business is stressful enough. Allow qualified and leading experts to take some ‘freight’ off your shoulders. This empowers you to focus on developing other areas of your business such as sales.
Arch International is made up of an experienced team offering door-to-door logistic services. This is done through a seamless and streamlined process. You have direct control of your cargo at all times through our cloud-based Cargo Management System. Furthermore, it enables you to track your cargo in real-time.
By using a third party pick-and-pack solution, businesses find that it is far more cost-efficient and practical. This, in turn, allows them to remain focused on their core business goals.
Contact Arch International Logistics today and let’s start optimising your order fulfilment strategy.
