For example, some 3PL companies do not work with minimum volume orders, opting only to work with bigger companies that already have a large order volume. Some fulfillment service providers may also require that you have a complete end-to-end e-commerce integration system in place before getting started.
Here at ShipWizard, we are happy to work with small businesses that are just getting started. Our team of 3PL experts are ready to help you efficiently fulfill orders, increase customer loyalty, establish seamless sales and returns processes, and ultimately grow your business. We don’t require our startup and small business clients to have a full e-commerce integration system- just manually send us orders to be fulfilled via spreadsheet, and we’ll take care of the rest!
Growing your startup with 3PL fulfillment services
Here are some of the ways that partnering with a third-party logistics company like ShipWizard can help you grow your small business:
Faster shipping options.
A 3PL fulfillment services company allows you to offer two-day and next-day air shipping, typically at a lower cost than if you ship orders yourself
Cost savings.
ShipWizard knows the ins and outs of shipping, and we know how to help you save money on things like packaging supplies and shipping rates.
Rapid growth.
If you will be testing lots of marketing campaigns that could cause product orders to spike, or are otherwise planning to grow quickly, a 3PL partner will be able to keep up.
Seamless returns management.
About a third of products purchased online end up getting returned. Having a seamless returns process in place will benefit both you and your customers.
Outsourcing order fulfillment vs. self-fulfillment
While many startups fulfill their own orders in the beginning, many eventually partner with a 3PL fulfillment services provider. If you’re not sure which is the right choice for your business, consider these three reasons that startups and small businesses opt to outsource third-party fulfillment logistics:
They don’t have the time to worry about order fulfillment.
Running and growing a small business is hard work. With a thousand things already on your plate, do you really want to take on the challenges that come with order fulfillment and returns management?
They don’t have the space.
While it might be okay to store products in your garage in the beginning, you will likely run out of space as your business grows. Running your own warehouse or fulfillment center can be expensive and exhausting, which is why many businesses outsource once they’ve outgrown their original storage solution.
They are ready to expand their product range.
Keeping track of dozens (or even hundreds) of SKUs is much trickier than managing just a handful. When you outsource order fulfillment, you can rest assured that your 3PL partner has the technology and knowledge to track many items.
