2019 was a record-breaking year for ecommerce, and it is expected that 2020 is only going to be bigger and better. With ecommerce sales rising higher, so will the customer expectations of the online shopping experience.
As we prepare for a busy, successful new year, here are some tips to help ecommerce retailers get fulfillment right in 2020:
Your customers value transparency
In the competitive ecommerce industry, retailers must go the extra mile to earn a customer’s business. This can include having a website that’s easy to find and navigate, offering discount codes and free shipping, providing great customer service when a shopper has a question, and offering full transparency. Nearly a quarter (24%) of online shoppers said that they would abandon their order if no delivery date was provided. Outsourcing to a 3PL partner helps ecommerce retailers provide this extra bit of transparency, which can help them stand out among the competition.
Faster fulfillment is key, and possible with the help of a 3PL services company
There was once a time not too long ago where “shopping at home” consisted of looking through a catalog, calling to place an order, and then waiting days or even weeks for a package to show up at their doorstep. With the advent of the internet, those days are long gone.
The rise of online shopping and super-fast shipping has created a shift in what consumers have come to expect. About 96% of Americans currently shop online, and these individuals want what they want, when they want it. They expect their orders to be fulfilled quickly and efficiently, so it’s important that ecommerce businesses can keep up.
As a small business owner, you may think that it’s impossible to compete with the lightning-fast shipping that retail giants like Amazon, Walmart or Macys offer. However, by partnering with a fulfillment services company, next-day or even same-day shipping is possible- and it’s affordable!
Word-of-mouth referrals are still everything
With 81% of consumers saying that they trust the advice of friends and family over businesses, providing an amazing experience from beginning to end is crucial. From the moment a shopper lands on your website, until the moment they are unboxing their purchase, it’s up to you to wow them. Here are some ways that partnering with a leading 3PL services company can help you provide a better customer experience:
- Faster shipping with same-day, next-day, and two-day options.
- More efficiency, ensuring that your customers receive the correct products and that they arrive undamaged.
- Better transparency, as the innovative technology that a 3PL uses keeps everyone in the loop on what step of the fulfillment process the order is in.
- Exciting unboxing experiences can be provided with the use of things like branded boxes, tissue paper, coupons, and more.
- In addition to seamless fulfillment services, a 3PL can help you achieve a cost-effective and streamlined returns process
