Ecommerce is a dynamic and fast-moving marketplace, which means it’s necessary to be able to keep up with the business. To do this, you need to have a good order fulfillment process. It is the process through which your customers will receive their orders from you. If your customers are unhappy with this step of their shopping experience, it can seriously impact your business’s bottom line. The good news is that there are many ways you can improve your eCommerce business’s order fulfillment process and ensure that your customers get what they want when they want it.
Automate Ordering Processes
Automating your order fulfillment process is one of the best ways to streamline it. Automation allows you to reduce human error, costs, and time spent on manual tasks and processes while increasing the accuracy of your orders.
There are several different ways that you can automate your order fulfillment process:
- Ordering software that automatically orders inventory based on customer demand
- Robotic materials handling systems (MHS) that move products between workstations in an assembly line fashion
- Optimized warehouse layouts that maximize space efficiency
Choose a Fulfillment Service Provider Having Diversified Shipping Solutions
In the fulfillment process, shipping services are crucial. The following are some of the things you should consider when choosing a fulfillment service:
- Diversified shipping solutions. Shipping options, rates, and times vary from state to state and country to country. If your business is not restricted to a city or country and ships products internationally, you must choose a provider offering diversified shipping solutions.
- Shipping services in your region. Let’s say, for example, you live in Washington DC, and you get the orders to deliver products in the city; then, in that case, you’ll need a local shipping service provider. However, if you need to deliver products to an international destination, the shipping services should also offer international shipping services.
Store Your Products in the Right Facility
The e-shoppers today want quick delivery of their orders. Your business’s order fulfillment process will go smoothly if your warehouse is easily accessible to your shipper. Therefore, storing your products in a climate-controlled, secure, accessible, and clean facility is necessary.
A warehouse should be secure enough with the latest security systems, so it remains safe from burglary or some breaking into it when no one is around. Your company’s reputation could suffer if there’s ever an incident involving stolen merchandise or other security issues at your distribution center (DC).
For timely deliveries, you must ensure that the DC is easily accessible by shipping companies so they can get their orders out on time. Delays due to traffic jams or other factors outside your control will only cause more headaches for customers who have already paid for their orders. The only thing they want is their consignment to show up at their doorstep ASAP.
Payment System
The payment system should be secure, available, and reliable for all customers. A fast and flexible payment system is necessary to enhance your eCommerce business. For example, if you sell a high-value product, your customers will likely want to pay with their credit cards or bank accounts. In that case, you will need a highly-reliable payment gateway service provider.
If your business is based on drop shipping, you may decide not to offer any payment options. In this case, choose a suitable courier service that can deliver goods right at your doorstep within 24 hours of receiving an order. This way, there’s no need for online payment processing.
Attractive Return Policy
An attractive return policy can increase your customer satisfaction and even become a source of revenue for you. According to a report published in CNBC, the average returning rate is 20.8 percent for online purchases in 2021, compared to 18.1 percent in 2020. Earlier merchants, shopkeepers, and companies were not responsive to what happened after the sale. But the scenario has changed drastically.
How you handle returned items greatly impacts customers’ perception of your brand and willingness to make future purchases. Therefore, providing an easy and attractive return policy to the customers is a crucial factor that helps boost your eCommerce business’s order fulfillment process.
Monitor Your Inventory Regularly
Track your inventory levels. It is vital to improving your eCommerce business’s order fulfillment process. You can do this using software, a manual process, or both. It’s necessary to track your inventory levels regularly and adjust accordingly. If you’re using software, it’s best to monitor them monthly, as there will be more time for adjustments and changes before the end of the month comes around. Monitor your inventory regularly, so there aren’t any surprises when orders come pouring in unexpectedly.
Wrong inventory is another situation that needs to sort out. Numerous suppliers and retailers are facing the situation of wrong inventory. Monitoring your inventory is the only way to check it.
Choose a Reputable Courier Service
Choosing a courier service is one of the most crucial steps for improving an eCommerce business’s order fulfillment process. If you’re choosing a courier service that is reliable and trustworthy, then it will be much easier for your customers to make their purchases with confidence. In addition, when choosing an eCommerce shipping partner, ensure they offer fast delivery times.
There are many courier services worldwide, so choosing the right one can be difficult. You can find out how long they have been in business when looking for courier service. You also need to look at their delivery record; this will let you know how good they are at getting packages delivered on time and without incident.
Set a Realistic Timeline for Delivery
Another necessary step is to set a realistic timeline for delivery. You must have enough time to ship your products on time because late shipments will make customers complain about their experience with your business. Customers also won’t be happy if they don’t receive the product on the day it was promised. Ensure that one of your employees takes care of this aspect of fulfillment.
Also, ensure that you take into account all the tasks related to preparing and packing your items before they go out to ensure that they reach their destination safely and intact.
Track Customer Satisfaction With Product Reviews and Surveys
You need to know how your customers feel about your business, and the best way to do that is by soliciting feedback. Recent research states that 91% of customers are more likely to deal with companies that remember them and give significant product offers. Proper feedback ensures you can easily find out what customers want from you and what you offer them.
There are many ways in which you can solicit customer feedback: surveys, email campaigns, social media posts, etc.
With Dedication, You Can Improve Order Fulfillment Process
Improving your order fulfillment process is not an easy task. It requires a lot of work and dedication on your part. However, it can be done if you’re dedicated and willing to put in the time and effort. All you need to do is invest in the right tools for the job, draw a plan, hire good people with experience in this area, and give importance to customer satisfaction.