E-COMMERCE ORDER FULFILLMENT

As online consumers, when we order something, we want it NOW!  As sellers, fulfilling consumer demand is easier than it looks.  Although e-commerce order fulfillment is not one of the more glamorous aspects of operating an online enterprise, it is a key aspect of logistics that can directly impact a seller’s profit margins or bottom line.  In addition to this, it involves more than packing orders and shipping them.  As your e-commerce order fulfillment partner, Unified Logistics Services will help streamline your online business, so it runs seamlessly and efficiently.

KEY STATISTICS TO BE AWARE OF

Getting your e-commerce order fulfillment services right is crucial to the success of any online business.  And that is where we step in. Did you know that:

• 61% of all consumers abandon their cart whenever they feel that shipping and taxes (as well as other fees) seem too high
• 53% of all consumers contend that the speed with which their order is delivered is a key factor when it comes to evaluating the performance of the online retailer
• 38% of all consumers will never purchase another product from a particular retailer if they had a below average or poor delivery experience
• 25% of all consumers cancelled orders because of delivery delays

Now that you are aware of these statistics, you need to understand how e-commerce order fulfillment functions before you can master that part of your operation. And if you’d like us to walk you through the process, please call us today. We are here to help you ship your goods worldwide.

WHAT IS E-COMMERCE ORDER FULFILLMENT AND WHAT IS INVOLVED?

E-commerce order fulfillment is a process wherein an online product is stored, picked, packed, and shipped to the customer that ordered and purchased it.  The process can be performed in-house by the e-commerce company or outsourced to a 3L or 3^rd party logistics provider, such as Unified Logistics Services.  E-commerce order fulfillment services are the best of both worlds because it applies in both of the following types of online purchases:

• B2B or Business-to-Business orders – orders of large product quantities being shipped to big-box department stores or retailers
• B2C or Business-to-Consumer – orders that are shipped to the consumer’s home

With B2C orders, consumers are able to place the order online at the retailer’s website or via an online marketplace.  Once the consumer has completed the purchasing process, the e-commerce order fulfillment process begins. We have helped innumerable businesses with their logistics requirements and can be of assistance.

THE 5 BASIC COMPONENTS OF THE E-COMMERCE ORDER FULFILLMENT PROCESS

Think of Unified Logistics Services as your 3^rd party e-commerce order fulfillment provider and one of the branches of your online business.  Outsourcing your order fulfillment process makes your online enterprise more agile and enables you to contract or expand your warehouse space according to fluctuations in your business.  It also enables you to minimize your operational expenses as well as your risk.  There are 5 basic components of the e-commerce order fulfillment process:

• integration of your e-commerce store and distribution or fulfillment center
• inventory and receiving management
• order fulfillment and processing
• shipping
• returns processing

If you’re a newcomer to the online retail enterprise community, you probably haven’t thought much about the way in which an online purchase arrives at your home. We can customize a supply chain and transportation plan to assist your business. To learn more about the e-commerce order fulfillment process, contact Unified Logistics Services in Miami at (888) 608-6434 or e-mail us directly at sales@unified-logistic.com.