Business owners are a lot of things. They are reliable, smart, and dedicated. They are leaders, followers, and trailblazers. And at some point or another, they also need to be good delegators. Nobody can dominate their industry alone – you need to delegate tasks to trusted team members.
This need for delegation is especially real as your business starts to grow. A value-added partner, or fulfillment provider, can help retailers with this. Fulfillment partners identify and improve on buying trends and selling problems. They can be incredibly valuable for determining which markets retailers will find success—and which they should avoid.
What Is a Fulfillment Service Provider?
An order fulfillment service provider unlocks the next step for your company’s growth. Primarily, a fulfillment partner will store your products in a warehouse and complete orders for your business. They handle everything from kitting to packaging and delivery.
For this process to be as efficient as possible, you need to integrate your eCommerce store with a fulfillment provider’s software. This integration will significantly smooth out the entire process. Once you have accomplished this relatively simple task, your fulfillment provider will receive your orders. From there, they will proceed to select, pack, and prep the goods for shipping.
What’s in it for You?
Outsourcing your order fulfillment comes with a plethora of benefits. They being with lower operating costs and reduced shipping rates. From quality control to less stress on you, here are ten reasons you should outsource work in this department:
1. Lower Operating Costs
One of the top pros of utilizing a fulfillment partner is that you only pay for what you use with them. The storage of your goods in warehouses usually requires a simple flat fee. After that, the only payments you have are for packing and shipping selected orders. At EBG, our Michigan fulfillment service aims to keep your base costs fixed. We keep our fees stable despite the seasonal decreases and increases in sales.
2. Reduced Shipping Costs
Many fulfillment partners already have facilities located nationwide and overseas. This reach will create a strong base for offering decreased shipping costs. In turn, you can take advantage of discounts on bulk delivery.
While there are a lot of variables involved, you can save anywhere from 15%-35% on average on shipping rates. Fulfillment partners often have access to specialty software. The technology allows you to window shop shipping rates across carriers and make educated selections to get the most cost-effective deal for you.
If you’re still on the fence about this, here’s the math. Let’s say you pay $7.00 per order you ship in-house with 100 orders each month, which means you’re spending $700 each month. Add it up, and that’s $8,400 a year. In comparison, if you utilize a warehouse provider and get a bulk discount – let’s say just 15% – this will save you $105 a month. That’s a savings of $1,260 a year!
3. Improved Customer Service
An essential part of a business is maintaining reliable customer service. Your customers want to feel valued and cared about, which is why most fulfillment services come with all-day support via phone or email.
Customer service features include 24/7 support for executing simple refunds, exchanges, and returns. These amenities go a long way in maintaining positive customer relations. In the end, the best ROI derives from customer satisfaction.
4. Quality Assurance that Exceeds Customer Expectations
Value-added partners provide quality assurance. This guarantee can improve your customer service. It will ensure your products and services keep up with modern customer expectations.
Customer expectations are continually evolving. For example, recent data shows that over 90% of online shoppers want the option for same-day delivery, by any means possible.
Nowadays, customers expect an estimated (or even better, a guaranteed) delivery date. And, they want that information to be viewable on their dashboard or at check-out. If this information is unavailable, your customer may go to a competitor that does provide this vital data.
Delivery estimates are just the beginning. Clients also expect all kinds of other purchase options, such as reserving an item online and picking up in person. If you aim to keep your customers happy, you need to be ready to meet these demands.
At EBG, our Quality Assurance service is top of the line. We are diligent through the ordering, inspection, and packaging stages. Our highly trained and vetted team is ISO 9001 certified, so you know your products will receive meticulous handling and care. Plus, with same-day fulfillment for eCommerce orders, your customers will find the quality of service equally impressive.
5. A Return to Focus on Your Business
Packaging and sending out products to your customers is a time-consuming task. As soon as this is off your plate, you can pour all of your focus into growing your business. Get back to thinking up the bigger picture for your business, marketing your products, and increasing revenue. Let EBG handle the technical processes for you.
6. Optimized Production Efficiency
Fulfillment partners help to maximize production efficiency. At EBG, we’ll take care of all of your kitting and assembly needs while ensuring 100% on-time delivery. Our cost-effective, fast process will keep your business moving.
7. New Markets
While the possibilities are endless, outsourcing orders allow you to enter into a new market more quickly. In the modern market, eCommerce is, without a doubt, one of the fastest-growing industries. If you are a small online business, outsourcing storing and packaging is the best way to enter a new market. It mitigates the risks involved with setting up a physical shop in a new country.
8. Streamlined Integration
Fulfillment providers utilize the latest programs and technology when working with you. With state-of-the-art technology, you can integrate your online store more efficiently than ever!
9. Fewer Errors
These value-added providers also eliminate the risk of errors in your shipping process. Automated processes and modern technology ensure the most accurate processing you could imagine.
10. Stress-Free Partnership
Our highly trained team at EBG prides themselves on their reliability. With your satisfaction as our goal, we guarantee that partnering with us is stress-free.
Taking the Leap: Committing to Outsourcing Order Fulfillment
Now that you know all the benefits involved with outsourcing fulfillment services, you’re probably ready to take the leap. Contact Encore Business Group today to request a free consultation!
