Searching for “e-commerce order fulfillment service near me” has never been easier. Just type those words into a search engine, and you will find dozens of results, ranging from nationwide 3PL providers to local warehouses. Choosing “the one” – the 3PL expert who will treat your business as if it were their own – is more of an art than a science. You can create comparison charts with features and prices, you can read online reviews, you can ask your colleagues in the industry for recommendations, but at the end of the day, it’s the “je ne sais quoi” or a gut feeling, that will guide you to selecting the right partner for your business.
What To Look For In A 3PL
When choosing a 3PL partner for your e-commerce business, you have a wide range of choices. A 3PL (third-party logistics) provider encompasses outsourced logistics services, which encompass anything that involves the management of one or more facets of procurement and fulfillment activities. So, what should you consider when narrowing down your options? Below are a few factors to review:
Security: Security is one of the reasons customers choose to outsource order fulfillment to an expert. Besides the protection of your goods and the safety of personnel with 24/7 monitoring, you also want a fulfillment partner that takes security seriously. For instance, safeguarding financial information is crucial to protecting sensitive customer data.
Scalability: Whether you are just getting started or have reached a volume of 10,000 orders per month, your volume and needs may change. Storage space, employees, infrastructure, shipping, returns management – the best fulfillment partner will be able to scale all of these elements without any disruption to your logistics. Conversely, should your order volume go down, the right 3PL will be willing to work with you to craft a fair and effective solution for the new lower volume.
eCommerce Integrations: Your 3PL relationship will only be as good as the flow of order and inventory information between you and your 3PL partner. As such, you will want to make sure that the 3PL you choose is able to easily integrate with your e-commerce platform: WordPress, eBay, Etsy, Shopify, Wix, Magento, Salesforce, or any of the dozens of other commercial solutions.
Customer service: When you entrust your inventory and fulfillment to a 3PL partner, you want to make sure that customer service is available when you need it. Ask who your primary point of contact would be, customer service hours, and a standard resolution time. Most importantly, find out who will be taking care of questions and requests from you as well as from your customers.
The Intangibles Of Choosing a 3 PL Partner
When selecting a 3PL partner, you may consider pricing, warehouse locations, technology integrations, and packaging options, among other factors. Ultimately, many of our clients made their decision to go with ShipWizard based on a feeling. Yes, a feeling they’ve experienced after visiting one of our facilities and meeting with our team.
After a warehouse tour, clients feel confident that ShipWizard would take care of their inventory and customers like they would their own business! We were absolutely delighted to receive this type of feedback, because an assurance that ShipWizard Cares is exactly the experience we want to provide to each and every customer.
ShipWizard Cares, and So Should You
Here are some of the specific ways in which ShipWizard cares:
- We assign a dedicated representative to each account – you will have a point of contact who is very familiar with your account and business, not a random customer service agent every time you contact us.
- We take the time to understand your business, products, and goals. Then, we create a fulfillment plan and operating procedures that best fit your needs. We will advise on the best way to split your inventory, will shop for the best rates, and go over packaging options including eco-friendly packaging.
- We provide outstanding customer service to you and your customers.
- The way we treat our own employees at ShipWizard fosters a positive work environment. Everyone on our team is invested in making sure every order is sent out on time and without mistakes.
Our commitment and work ethic go beyond the promises you may hear when looking for a 3PL. ShipWizard truly cares about your business and your customers. Better customer service means higher customer lifetime value and fewer headaches for you. Choose the 3PL that cares, and you will reap the benefits for years to come. Schedule a tour or request an estimate today!
