Outsource Fulfillment Tips

We created this blog with a couple important outsource fulfillment tips just for you. These tips apply to traditional fulfillment services, e-fufillment services, and pick and pack fulfillment. Enjoy the read…

Whether have already partnered with a fulfillment company or you’re considering such a move, you want to outsource fulfillment in a way that will bring you maximum benefits (hence, these helpful outsource fulfillment tips!). And when we say “you,” we mean your customers as well as your company. After all, when your order fulfillment efforts benefit your end customers, you are automatically benefiting your company as well. Without loyal customers, where would you be?

These tips will help you assess your own needs so you can outsource fulfillment most profitably.

Outsource Fulfillment Tip #1: Look at what you are (or will be) getting through your customers’ eyes.

When you outsource fulfillment, there are many obvious company benefits. You can:

• Jettison non-core business activities
• Redirect employees and other resources to revenue-generating activities
• Improve quality and/or consistency of customer care and fulfillment logistics
• Eliminate hassle and headaches associated with in-house fulfillment
• Perhaps even save money

These have significant value. Taken alone, they can make your decision to outsource fulfillment an easy one. But if your customers don’t benefit, too, you aren’t getting the most from your outsourcing relationship, either in terms of ROI or in branding advantages. Yes, your customers will certainly appreciate better, more reliable service. But don’t they deserve more?

Outsource Fulfillment Tip #2: Choose a Fulfillment Partner Who Understands Your Business Goals

When you outsource fulfillment, look for a partner that can help you:

• Sell more products to increase overall revenue
• Increase customer loyalty

That adds up to greater customer lifetime value. If you could close more sales with first-time customers, retain them and get them to purchase more, what would that mean for your company? Good things, of course.

Outsource Fulfillment Tip #3: Measure Tangible Metrics But Don’t Forget the Intangibles…

Looking at fulfillment through your customers’ eyes allows you to really see what they are getting. You can evaluate:

• Call center contacts speed and professionalism
• Accuracy of order filling and shipping
• Customer “unboxing” experience

An unattractive, sloppy looking package makes a negative final impression that can undo all your earlier efforts to provide a good shopping experience.

Outsource Fulfillment Tip #4: Ending the Customer Experience on an Up Note

When you purchase something in a better quality store, they don’t just dump your items in a bag. They fold garments and wrap items in tissue. Even grocery clerks are taught to bag things thoughtfully and carefully. Quality stores also use branded bags and color-coordinated packaging to remind you of your pleasant shopping experience with them. There is an important lesson here.

Just because your company’s products arrive via a delivery service doesn’t mean they should arrive in a generic, thoughtless package. If they do, you have wasted an invaluable branding opportunity.

How you outsource fulfillment should create a customer experience that is superior in every way. You need to make a great first impression, but you need to end on an up note, too. If you do, it will not be the end, but the beginning of a long-lasting customer relationship you will both love.

Outsource Fulfillment is important. Choose a top-notch Fulfillment Center and Fulfillment Warehouse to help your company today.