You might launch an e-commerce business with the intention of fulfilling orders yourself, but partnering with a third-party fulfillment center may be the better option. Streamline Fulfillment specializes in this area with distinct Shopify and WooCommerce order fulfillment services, among other integrated e-commerce platforms. Discover the pros and cons of doing order fulfillment on your own versus outsourced logistics.
Advantages of Self-Fulfillment
E-commerce business owners can take matters into their own hands and handle fulfillment without the help of a third-party logistics partner. If you opt for this route, you can put a personalized touch on every order and be in total control of the process, which helps if you have fragile items that need special handling. You can also increase your profit margin without the added costs of warehousing.
Disadvantages of Self-Fulfillment
Some of the downfalls of self-fulfillment projects in e-commerce include:
- It’s time-consuming
- Higher labor costs
- Increased shipping costs
- Becomes more difficult as the business grows
You have to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if it’s worth continuing to fulfill e-commerce orders yourself or if you prefer using a third-party fulfillment company.
Benefits of Outsourced Fulfillment Services
Why do so many retailers trust third-party fulfillment services? These companies understand how to make every supply chain more efficient and provide the following benefits to business owners:
- Money savings: Third-party logistics partners usually receive the lowest price for shipping costs and also help retailers save on warehousing and labor.
- Scalability: You won’t have to worry about falling short on consumer demands since 3PL companies use data to adjust their operations and inventory management based on product demand.
- Real-time updates: You and your customers will stay informed during every step of the distribution journey, from order processing to shipping and delivery.
- Compliance with industry regulations: Fulfillment centers abide by various safety regulations when storing, packing, and shipping certain items, such as perishable goods or fragile collectibles.
- Support and expertise: Whether you’re new to e-commerce or a seasoned retailer, you can turn to a third-party logistics partner for help with any concerns about order processing and distribution.
The benefits are plentiful, which is why many e-commerce businesses utilize 3PL companies like Streamline Fulfillment.
Potential Drawbacks of Third-Party Fulfillment Services
You’ll have to be mindful of the costs that come with outsourcing your fulfillment needs. Savings are possible but you’ll have to pay fees for the storage, processing, and shipping of products. You also have to surrender some of the control with outsourced product fulfillment, which may be difficult for some hands-on business owners.
Boost Your Business With Streamline Fulfillment
Don’t miss out on the benefits of using a third-party fulfillment. If you’re looking to make order processing more efficient and reduce picking and packing errors, team up with Streamline Fulfillment. We’re an industry leader with warehouses throughout the West Coast and proudly serve retailers around the country.
To take advantage of our packing and shipping solutions, give us a call at (509) 888-2880. Learn more today.