E-Commerce – How to Win At Order Fulfillment

Brands like Amazon have heightened customer expectations to a point that many smaller online retailers don’t even know how to keep up.

While your online store might not be able to directly compete with the big brands, it can implement smart fulfillment strategies to keep your customers happy and coming back for more, despite their demanding expectations.

Below is a helpful guide on how to put your customers first and win at online order fulfillment.

Data-Driven Decisions

Prioritizing data-driven decision-making enhances your brand’s overall order fulfillment process.

Analyzing key metrics will help optimize inventory management and streamline order processing by improving shipping and deliveries. Sales data is critical for identifying popular products or services to enable businesses to adjust stock levels accordingly.

Use AI-powered tools to analyze data and streamline order processing, shipping, and returns. Real-time insights help track trends to improve inventory management and the overall fulfillment process, while reducing costs.

Customer Transparency

With the number of scam sites around, convincing consumers to trust a new brand can be a challenge.

To establish your brand as trustworthy and credible, there are a few things you need to do. Delivery transparency plays a crucial role in building customer trust and enhancing their satisfaction.

If your customers can see and track their order in real-time throughout the fulfillment process, they will be less antsy because it allows them to feel like they have some control over it.

Lastly, display accurate stock levels and delivery charges to further remove any undue stress for your new customers.

Third-Party Fulfillment

To improve fulfillment for e-commerce brands, Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers must optimize supply chains, reduce costs, enhance customer experience, and manage inventory.

The expertise and experience offered by reputable 3PL companies range from warehousing to deliveries and everything in between.

By using a 3PL instead of an in-house team, businesses can focus on equally important core business activities, such as R&D or marketing. That will lead to growth, greater scalability, and a more profitable business.

Offer Free Delivery

Reduce cart abandonment and improve conversion rates by offering free delivery.

Shipping is one of a customer’s biggest considerations when ordering online, followed by delivery timelines. These make-or-break subjects will help customers decide whether or not they want to buy from you.

Shipping fees are a frequent cause of cart abandonment, but if your company cannot afford to offer free delivery on every order, consider applying it to orders over a certain value.

Many customers will happily order another $15 product to avoid paying a $10 delivery fee.

Streamline Returns

E-commerce removes the tangible aspect of shopping, and while online businesses may not like returns, they are a normal part of doing business digitally.

There are multiple reasons for a return, and many of them are totally out of your control, but how your business handles returns and refunds can be the difference between creating a loyal, repeat customer or one that badmouths you to their friends and family.

While returns are typically a net negative for online stores, that impact can be reduced by implementing a standard returns policy that is accessible online for your customers.

E-commerce returns are basically reverse logistics, and the quicker your brand can process returns and refund customers, the more likely they are to buy from your brand again.

Final Notes

Lastly, a brand’s online order fulfillment strategies should constantly evolve as new trends and technology emerge in e-commerce.

Keep your systems and processes updated to keep your customers satisfied.