You can have the best product in the world, but it will only mean a little if you can get it to your customers safely and on time. As a result, selecting a print on demand fulfillment company for your eCommerce business is critical. If you choose wisely, your fulfillment partner can greatly contribute to the success of your brand; however, making the right choice can save your customer experience and prevent you from generating future revenue from repeat customers. How do you choose the best print on demand fulfillment company when there are so many to choose from?
8 THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A PRINT ON DEMAND FULFILLMENT COMPANY
It is critical to research to ensure that you are selecting not just any print on demand fulfillment partner but the right one. Here are eight factors to consider when choosing an ecommerce order fulfillment company for your online business.
1. Similar Industry Experience
Before everything else, you want to find the right fit. Every print on demand fulfillment company operates differently, just like every eCommerce system. Many service providers package their offerings to cater to a specific industry or type of business. There are numerous fulfillment companies available, each with a unique focus. Look for a logistics company with experience working with similar businesses. Be bold and ask lots of questions or get references. Most importantly, be upfront and clear about your requirements to avoid surprises later on.
2. Technology and Integrations
As an eCommerce business owner, you already use various digital tools in your day-to-day operations, so the last thing you want to do is implement yet another slow and disorganized software. Various fulfillment companies use order fulfillment software with various features and capabilities. Understanding your true needs and goals is critical before selecting a fulfillment partner who uses software with features that can align. You should also ensure that their order fulfillment software is simple to implement and use daily and that it can integrate with any other platforms and business apps you’re already using.
3. Transparency and Visibility
Customers are likely to stick with a brand they feel they can trust when so many companies are selling similar products. In fact, according to a survey, 56% of consumers said they would be loyal to a company for life if it provided complete transparency, and 81% said they would be willing to try a brand’s entire product line if they were comfortable with its level of transparency. As a result, you must select a fulfillment partner who provides full visibility into their fulfillment process, is dependable, and can be held accountable.
4. Location of Fulfillment Warehouses
Customers expect lightning-fast shipping times, and the proximity of the fulfillment warehouse to the customer is an important component of this process. It makes perfect sense—the closer the ecommerce fulfillment center is to the end customer, the shorter the distance your products must travel to arrive, resulting in lower shipping costs. So, when selecting a print on demand fulfillment company, you must know where their fulfillment warehouses are. Your fulfillment partner must have warehouses close to your customers. Furthermore, if you sell internationally, ensure the fulfillment company you’re considering working with offers global shipping before agreeing to work with them.
5. Shipping Speeds
Amazon Prime’s two-day delivery times have become the norm, meaning modern consumers expect faster shipping times than ever. You can align with these changing expectations by collaborating with an order fulfillment company that can meet them. If you do, you can avoid losing revenue from the 32% of consumers who have abandoned an online purchase due to long delivery times. Top fulfillment companies should have efficient and effective fulfillment processes to quickly deliver their products to their customers. It is possible by having many strategically placed fulfillment warehouses and simplified order fulfillment software.
6. Branding Options
There are millions of eCommerce businesses competing for the attention of customers. Consumers today are more likely to interact with brands that personalize their experience. Choosing a print on demand fulfillment company that offers branding options can assist you in developing a brand and creating buzz for your company. A custom-tailored, fun, and exciting user experience will delight your customers and entice them to return for more.
7. Packaging Options
Along with branding, you should select a fulfillment center that offers a wide range of packaging options depending on the product you are shipping. Because not all boxes are created equal, you should ensure you have your pick of packaging. Having options for the proper packaging type will also help reduce product damage. In addition to packaging, what’s on the inside can be just as important! So make sure you have your pick of insulation materials as well. Above all, remember to personalize your packaging both inside and out to make your customers feel special.
8. Costs
It is reasonable to expect some initial costs associated with outsourcing fulfillment to a third-party logistics provider. However, you will save money on labor, overhead, packing supplies, and other expenses in the long run. Furthermore, you want to ensure that the fulfillment center you select provides you with the best possible deals. Because of the volume they ship, fulfillment centers can get better rates from carriers than individual eCommerce retailers, so make sure they’re passing along some of these savings to you. These lower costs frequently enable eCommerce retailers to compete with retail behemoths by offering free or reduced shipping.
MOVE FORWARD WITH YOUR PRINT ON DEMAND FULFILLMENT PARTNER
Outsourced ecommerce order fulfillment services make sense for businesses with large goals, fluctuating sales, and insufficient time to handle things in-house. It’s a great way to free up your time while working with a top ecommerce fulfillment company expert like Fulfillplex to optimize order fulfillment and overcome logistical challenges in your business. Are you ready to learn how we can help your company increase efficiency and improve user experience? We’re ready to be your end-to-end fulfillment partner. Contact us today!