There are a few characteristics that all ecommerce businesses share. One of them is the requirement to ship physical goods via the print on demand fulfillment process. In addition, your investment and commitment to providing an excellent customer experience will determine how effectively you achieve this. Every customer will interact with your fulfillment services, so this is your chance to nail the experience and create a positive interaction with your brand.
7 WAYS TO OPTIMIZE YOUR PRINT DEMAND FULFILLMENT PROCESS
1. Consider the type of your products.
The type of products you sell will significantly impact your print on demand fulfillment process and costs. So, the first step in optimizing your fulfillment process is to understand the specific guidelines for your product. Some products may have special requirements, such as temperature control. In addition, it will raise your costs and limit the delivery options available to you. However, a variety of products are regulated or restricted across state lines. You can better optimize your fulfillment process once you’ve analyzed your product type and any accompanying considerations.
2. Evaluate the product dimensions.
Your fulfillment costs are frequently calculated in what is known as a dimensional way. It is the package’s total size and weight. However, making your package smaller or lighter could result in significant efficiency gains. An intricate package frequently comes with an extra couple of ounces or inches. That means that you pay that much more every time you ship a product. As a result, it will directly reduce your profit margins.
3. Choose a location for your fulfillment process distribution center.
Finding the best distribution center is essential for mastering your fulfillment process. Many businesses now distribute inventory across a dozen or so locations. It means that the product and the customer are much closer, which improves the dependability of a two or three-day shipping window. Being closer to your customers also means lower delivery costs. To optimize, you must conduct a time-in-transit analysis. Optimize your distribution center by selecting a location close to your largest customer base based on that analysis.
4. Keep track of your inventory.
If you choose to distribute from multiple locations, you will have to split inventory. Consider the complexity of your catalog. Take into account your best sellers and order volume. Manufacturing and storing your entire inventory will cost money upfront. All of this adds complexity to your business from an inventory management standpoint, so consider whether you could consolidate more to save money.
5. Design eye-catching packaging.
Brands are attempting to create Instagrammable unboxing experiences these days. It’s an excellent tool for improving customer satisfaction and increasing the likelihood of returning and referring you to others. However, the level of detail you include in your unboxing is something you should consider. The more intricate the packing materials and details, the more time it will cost you, whether your packing team or a third-party partner. You must first understand the economics, create a business case, and weigh what is costing you money against what will truly differentiate your brand.
6. Select the best carrier for your fulfillment process.
With all of their tracking and systems in place, large organizations can be useful when things go wrong. On the other hand, they are in high demand, particularly during peak season, resulting in more delays, lost packages, and so on. Local carriers offer a more personalized experience, have higher margins, and have less demand during peak seasons. However, their systems cannot compete with the tracking systems of larger carriers. Consider the benefits and drawbacks of your carrier options before selecting the partner who will provide the best customer experience.
7. Determine who will manage and streamline the process.
With so many steps in the fulfillment process, from production to distribution to storage, your business could benefit from the services of a dedicated supply chain manager. These print on demand fulfillment experts examine and identify opportunities for improvement at each stage of the process. They can identify areas for automation and incorporate that automation into the order process. Hiring the right print on demand provider could result in margin reductions throughout the supply chain. Eventually, you will run a much better business and provide customers with an Amazon-level shipping experience.
OPTIMIZE YOUR ECOMMERCE BUSINESS BEYOND THE FULFILLMENT PROCESS
After you’ve established and optimized your fulfillment process, you should look into other ways to improve the customer experience. In the same way that you want to create a streamlined shipping and distribution process, you’ll want to work with a print on demand partner who can assist you.
As a top eCommerce fulfillment company, we can help you with this.
At Fulfillplex, we are dedicated to providing the best print on demand services for Nutra products and gadgets. We’re committed to partnering with brands of all sizes to help them meet their revenue targets. Check us out right now and get a quote.