7 Tips for Choosing a Fulfillment Partner

Suppose your eCommerce store is ready to expand its reach and accommodate a larger number of orders. In that case, it will help to find a reliable fulfillment partner such as WareIQ or Sherpack eComm fulfillment services to manage them. Choosing to outsource your fulfillment has numerous benefits, such as savings on discounts and providing you with the time needed to grow the business. Before you settle on any available option, you need to factor in a few considerations to help you make the right choice. The following are seven tips for selecting a fulfillment partner. 

Be Clear and Straightforward About Your Business Needs

Naturally, you’d start by creating a list of what you or the business requires to succeed. For example, if you deal in retail sales and are looking for someone to pack your products into retail boxes with customized labels before shipping, you need to outline every activity and requirement on your list. Similarly, it would be best to work with a fulfillment partner specializing in your specific business needs. For example, if you ship perishable goods, you need a fulfillment partner with experience packing such products appropriately to present any losses. 

Consider Several Locations

A third-party logistics company with several locations around the country or world can be beneficial for some businesses.  Logistics providers like https://redstagfulfillment.com/order-fulfillment/ let you maintain control of your inventory, but take all aspects of order fulfillment off your hands. This is especially true when a business’s customer base is geographically diverse as it allows them to spread out their distribution over more than one location saving on shipping costs. For example, suppose you need to store your products until they’re ready to ship to their designated locations. In that case, a fulfillment partner with multiple locations would allow you to store your goods in one of their secure warehouses that’s closer to the destination. 

Don’t Focus Too Much On the Price

While every business strives to save on costs by choosing an affordable partner to work with, you shouldn’t let your decisions be based primarily on the price. There are many other things to account for, and going for the cheapest option might place future financial strains on your business. Check on the technology used, level of training offered to their staff, and quality of customer service in their operations to know whether they’re worth the price. Never rush to save more money just to have your customers disappointed by the services offered. You’re working to provide the best for your clients, and that should be implemented in every fulfillment stage. 

Ask Questions

When it comes to interviewing your options, never underestimate the power of inquiry. There are no stupid questions, especially when your entire business is on the line because of the decision you’re about to make. You’d want to know about their service level, products offered, storage and distribution centers, shipping rates, and final estimated costs for the services you need. You could also ask if their packing and labeling services are included in the final price and whether you need to negotiate specific prices upfront. Be sure to note the answers given and how they’re delivered to ascertain that the company has fully understood your questions and is confident in the solutions they’re providing. 

Follow Up on References

Many business owners tend to make one major mistake by failing to follow up on the references provided. This applies to nearly every industry because people tend to trust the word of their potential service providers blindly. Regardless of whether it has a significant online presence and authority, you must verify any claims to be sure of whom you’re about to work for. Previous clients can give you a first-hand opinion based on their experience in working with the fulfillment company. Similarly, you might get good advice on how to maneuver your way to success while working with the company. 

Visit the Warehouse

If you’re closer to any of their warehouses, it will help if you’d spare some time to visit them. However, if the warehouse isn’t in your area, technology has made it easier for you to get a virtual tour of the whole place. You can also visit these locations while they’re in operation to better view how your products would be handled. 

Perform a Test Run

It’s not over yet! Just because your remaining option has made it through the other vetting stages doesn’t mean that they’re automatically qualified and capable of handling your business requirements. A test run would be suitable to assess their performance. You can start with small quantities of your inventory to identify any kinks that may emerge and note the customer feedback. You should always be prepared for any form of disappointment and have the motivation to start the entire process again. 

Make a Decision

After implementing the above tips, you might find a suitable fulfillment partner today. Your decision is crucial because it directly affects the success of your business. Therefore, take your time assessing different candidates for the sake of your company’s survival. Reach out to Sherpack eComm fulfillment services and get to know the team that would dedicate their services for your business’s prosperity.