{"id":14151,"date":"2020-12-14T10:06:54","date_gmt":"2020-12-14T10:06:54","guid":{"rendered":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/?p=14151"},"modified":"2023-01-16T18:05:51","modified_gmt":"2023-01-16T18:05:51","slug":"the-guide-to-ecommerce-fulfilment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/gb\/en\/blog\/the-guide-to-ecommerce-fulfilment\/","title":{"rendered":"The Guide to Ecommerce Fulfilment"},"content":{"rendered":"

2-<\/span>day shipping <\/span>is the new normal. Thanks to the likes of <\/span>Amazon Prime<\/span> and eBay, customer expectations are at an all-time high, especially when it comes to <\/span>ordering fulfilment<\/span>. We\u2019re living in the age of instant gratification, and eCommerce is no exception.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The bottom line is that order fulfilment impacts your bottom line. Brands that fail to compete get left behind. Fulfilling delivery demands at speed isn’t easy, but it lies at the core of modern customer expectations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some online retailers opt to outsource their order processing, <\/span>warehousing<\/span>, and delivery fulfilment responsibilities. They can then focus their efforts on customer acquisition and retention whilst still ensuring delivery expectations are met.<\/span><\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t matter if your product is the best thing since sliced bread. If it fails to arrive promptly, it won\u2019t get the recognition it deserves. <\/span>38% of shoppers<\/span><\/a> stop engaging a retailer after a poor delivery <\/span>experience<\/span><\/a>, whilst <\/span>25% <\/span><\/a>will cancel an order due to slow delivery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

eCommerce fulfilment <\/span>excellence is essential for business success. This article is a go-to guide for all things delivery fulfilment. We\u2019ll start with the basics, before dissecting the ins and outs of fulfilment processes, services, and strategies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s time for your <\/span>eCommerce<\/span> store<\/span><\/a> to compete with the big players.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Image by <\/span>efulfillmentservice.com\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

What is ECommerce Fulfillment?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

ECommerce fulfilment<\/span> is part of the <\/span>supply chain <\/span>process. It begins as soon as a customer completes their purchase. It\u2019s the entire process behind getting an order delivered to that customer. It usually looks something like this:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Receiving and storing inventory \u2192Processing an order \u2192 Picking the products \u2192Packing the products \u2192 Shipping\/ transporting items to the customer<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Ensure that this process runs like a well-oiled machine. It’s integral to meeting customer delivery expectations. Streamlining operations takes work. That\u2019s why delivery fulfilment can be completed <\/span>in-house<\/span> or outsourced to a third-party logistics<\/a> provider (3PL).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Excellent <\/span>eCommerce fulfilment<\/span> benefits both <\/span>B2B eCommerce<\/span> businesses that ship to <\/span>retailers<\/span> in large quantities and B2C <\/span>retailers<\/span> shipping smaller quantities direct to the customer. But despite its widespread importance, some common misconceptions need debunking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. That a fulfilment centre should be close to company headquarters.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Fulfilment centres<\/span> should be as close to the customer as possible. Analyze order histories to determine shipping zones, <\/span>shipping costs<\/span>, and times. Optimize accordingly. Another common misconception is that opting for a rural order<\/span> fulfilment centre <\/span>will save money. In reality, what you save in rent, you often spend on shipping and other related fulfilment costs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. That it is cheaper to organize order shipping in-house.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

True when order quantities are low, but when orders mount up, it\u2019s easy to spend too much time on <\/span>eCommerce fulfilment.<\/span> Businesses end up having to fork out on additional workers to keep up with demand. This takes time and money away from growing your business and retaining valuable customers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Image by <\/span>fullfillmentcompanies.net\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Ecommerce Fulfillment Process<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The <\/span>fulfilment process<\/span> includes receiving, storing, processing, shipping, and returning goods. In other words, great delivery fulfilment is not just about delivery. Brands must strive for excellence from pre-purchase (clear delivery information) to beyond the basket (<\/span>customer service <\/span><\/a>and returns).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break down each of these steps.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Receiving.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This step is about inventory. To fulfil orders, your brand needs a sufficient inventory of products. In-house delivery fulfilment requires inventory that is on the premises\u2014I.e., literally sitting on shelves or pallets in the warehouse. Outsourced fulfilment inventory should be sent directly to your 3PL provider or fulfilment partner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Storage.<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This step is about warehousing. Storing inventory in an organized way is critical for effective delivery fulfilment. Each product needs a dedicated storage location. Maintaining good storage practices keeps products secure, visible, and easily retrievable.<\/span><\/p>\n