Launching your new eCommerce business is an exciting new adventure, but atop of the excitement there is plenty to consider when it comes to the logistics of it all - and we mean that both literally and figuratively.
Getting the fulfilment right is one of, if not THE most important step when it comes to any B2C or DTC business. Consumers have come to expect fast, reliable delivery and with the likes of Amazon having "same-day" as a staple consumers are becoming more and more used to that feeling of instant gratifaction.
Therefore - getting it right can be a daunting, time-consuming task.
Not only that, as your business grows and becomes more successful this becomes even more challenging. Not knowing where to start when it comes to storage, packing, delivery and returns is a common pain point with businesses on the verge of success.
For small businesses and start-ups every single order counts, and retention hinges on customer satisfaction!
That is where a 3PL comes in. We're not saying that from the get go you should be outsourcing your fulfilment but when you're ready, having a fulfilment partner that works alongside you can be the difference between taking that next big leap and remaining stagnant.
Order fulfilment has a huge impact on a business's reputation...
💡Did you know that 94% of consumers blame retailers for poor delivery?
What is an eCommerce fulfilment company?
Officially the definition of an eCommerce fulfilment company is an organisation that will take on the management of the storage, picking, packing, delivery and return of eCommerce orders for your business. However, that isn’t where it ends some fulfilment companies!
Fulfilment centres such as SCEND will go above and beyond to offer additional yet essential services such as re-work and contract packing too!
An experienced fulfilment company will be able to offer your start-up business advice and support through these processes as well as providing the scale and room for growth as your company grows.
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What are the benefits of using a fulfilment company as a small business?
⏳ 3PL's save time...
We all know that running a start-up or small business takes up a huge amount of time. With an abundance of business decisions to be made, and that’s not including the time taken up with inventory management and fulfilment. So, when we throw that into the mix too – it can become overwhelming.
That is where a third-party logistics company comes in. Outsourcing your fulfilment will help you to reduce fulfilment-related stress and regain that all-important time!
Working with the right eCommerce fulfilment partner will mean that as soon as that order has been placed you no longer have to worry about it – meaning you can put your time into running your business, coming up with new ideas, investing in marketing, and finishing that coffee that has been sitting on your desk since this morning… phew!
💰 Focus on making money.
Start-ups and small businesses tend to have fluctuating orders that are often hard to predict.
Using a 3PL partner can alleviate the cost of expensive warehousing and staff payroll, many fulfilment centres operate a pay-per-use structure which means you only pay for the storage you use. Products will be scanned in and out of the warehouse meaning once a product is no longer on the shelf you'll stop paying for that storage space. Giving you control over your inventory and helping you to better plan for the future.
Working with a 3PL isn't a cheap fix, but it's an effective one. Outsourcing to the experts allows you to improve overall retention rates and revenue on a long term basis making it the perfect solution for a new business experiencing exponential growth.
📈 Room for growth
Looking to expand your reach internationally – or even grow here in the UK?
A fulfilment partner which grows alongside you is the perfect solution for businesses looking to expand. Working with a 3PL partner expands your reach breaking down borders - no matter where you are.
With the likes of TikTok and the online revolution which followed the pandemic making the world an even smaller place you can now expand your brand to cover all four corners of the globe - and with a 3PL trained in internationalisation you can leave it all to the experts! A win win situation for sure.
When to use a fulfilment company as a small business?
If you are thinking about outsourcing your business fulfilment, there are a few things you might want to consider:
- Firstly, are you growing rapidly? Yes? Then it might be time to start outsourcing your fulfilment processes!
- Secondly, are you looking to expand internationally? Yes? A fulfilment hub here in the UK can bring plenty of value to your business.
- Thirdly, are you looking to reallocate your in-house fulfilment spend to boost your business? Using a fulfilment company can help you when it comes to reducing internal warehousing and labour costs. Costs associated with a 3PL logistics partner allow you to get a professional product which could save you both time and money by getting fulfilment done right the first time around.
If you want any additional information on eCommerce fulfilment and how we can help your start-up or small business achieve its goals then get in touch.
