Hi again! It’s me, Al, your fulfillment advisor extraordinaire. And if you sell products… lots of them, a 3PL will change your life and the life of your business. Bold statement? NO! Truth: whether you are currently working out of your garage or you are a funded startup, it doesn’t matter. Any business that sells products must ensure that their goods reach their customers safely and on time. Better to think about outsourcing your fulfillment services sooner rather than later!
While handling fulfillment services yourself (or with internal staff) may seem like the less expensive option, outsourcing fulfillment services to a 3PL will provide you with untold benefits, some of which I have outlined below.
Save Thousands of Dollars on Shipping Each Month
Did you know that some 3PL’s have negotiated rates with the major shipping carriers (DHL, FedEx, USPS, UPS, etc.) and can save you lots of money on shipping costs? For example, due to the volume of shipments Alpacka ships out monthly, our customers can save on every package we ship for them. This reduces the overall cost per order for you.
Now, it’s possible for you to either make a higher profit or use those savings to reinvest in your business, all without compromising on shipping times and efficiency!
Outsourcing Fulfillment Minimizes Shipping Interruptions
At first glance, shipping your products may seem like a straightforward process. All you need to do is package the product, input the destination, and choose the shipping carrier and price. But if you are just starting out and have several orders to fulfill by a specific date, you may lack the resources to take care of shipping logistics timely and efficiently. The last thing you want is late delivery, unhappy customers and a bad first impression of your business.
If you claim next-day delivery but your customers receive their goods a week later, they are likely to lose faith in your company, especially if they have paid extra for expedited shipping. To prevent such scenarios from occurring, consider outsourcing fulfillment services to a trusted third-party provider. There’s no reason you shouldn’t tap on their resources and expertise to improve the order fulfilment process for your business! The right 3PL can help to manage your inventory and deliveries while you focus on growth and expansion.
Better Customer Service
Customers who have a good experience with purchasing from your company are more inclined to promote your products to others and make subsequent purchases themselves. It may come as no surprise to you that 65% of new business opportunities are derived from customer referrals and recommendations. Even in the digital age, word of mouth is powerful. Good customer service is an essential element in ensuring the best possible shopping experience.
Extraordinary customer service can make all the difference for companies just putting their name out there, but it’s easier said than done. Product returns can be difficult to navigate when it comes to shipping and logistics. Customers anticipate a simple and straightforward return process, and your inability to provide this will reflect poorly on your company.
If you are having trouble managing your returns and exchanges, why not outsource it all to an order fulfillment company like Alpacka? Not only will we get all your orders shipped on time, you can be sure that every return order will be processed promptly. This way, you can minimize the risk of customer dissatisfaction while focusing on the things that matter most to your business!
Pick, Pack and Ship Your Products Efficiently
Order fulfillment companies will pick, pack and ship your products, lifting the burden off your employees’ shoulders. If your business has grown more quickly than you expected and you find your team struggling to cope, outsourcing these efforts can be the best step forward. These companies have trained staff who work with the most efficient systems to pick your products accurately and pack them safely.
You can be sure that getting your products to your customers on time and in the condition they expect will keep them coming back time and time again!
Better Order Management
Although mistakes can and do happen from time to time, such as sending the incorrect product to a customer, there’s plenty you can do to minimize the margin for error. As a startup or small business, you may not have the appropriate equipment to label and pack products to a high standard. As a result, you may be experiencing frequent shipping mistakes or damaged packages. Here is where a professional fulfillment service can step in to help.
Order fulfillment companies, on the other hand, have an established system for managing inventory. Making use of the latest technology and equipment in place to ensure optimized labeling, the odds of sending the wrong item or package to your customers will be significantly reduced.
Safe and Efficient Packing
There’s no doubt about it: packaging matters. With more than two thirds of Americans stating that paper and cardboard packaging materials make a product more attractive, there’s plenty of thought to be put behind your packaging choices. Besides being stylish and eco-friendly, there’s also the practical aspect to consider. You do not want to use the wrong packing materials or methods that can result in damage to your product during transit.
When you choose to work with a fulfillment service like Alpacka, you can enjoy peace of mind that the risk of damage to your items is minimized. We make it easy for you to keep your products safe and your customers satisfied! Contact us today to find out more about our order fulfillment services and discuss how your business can benefit from working with us.
