More and more webshops are taking the step toward fulfilment. Outsourcing logistics can relieve you of a lot of stress, but finding the ideal partner is not a simple process. There are several important things to consider. Wondering how to get started? You’re in the right place! We’re here to help you get started.
Why Choose Fulfilment?
Packing and shipping orders is a time-consuming task. As the number of orders increases, there’s a risk you’ll have barely any time left to focus on marketing. Most online entrepreneurs are not specialized in logistics and WMS. Why not choose a partner who can take care of these processes for you? A win-win situation! You can focus entirely on growing your webshop, while logistics/WMS are managed by professionals, significantly increasing the efficiency and professionalism of your webshop.
What Should I Pay Attention To?
There are various players in the fulfilment sector, but choosing the right partner is a complex matter. You need to consider several factors.
Product options: Are you working with food items, organic products, etc.? Not every fulfilment partner can or is allowed to process and/or store such products. Look for a partner that can meet your needs!
Storage options: Every fulfilment partner offers standard storage options like bins, shelves, and pallet spaces. Do you have unique products? Find a partner who offers custom storage options. For example, at Webship, we have provided a custom storage solution for Creafoam (see photo).
Shipping partners: Which shipping partners do you want to work with, or which shipping partners does the fulfilment partner work with? This should be coordinated.
Pricing: If you want to outsource your logistics, you need to take into account three factors that determine the price. There’s a general price for storing your products based on stock volume. The second factor is picking & packing, usually with a fixed formula. Finally, you should also map out shipping costs. You can benefit from the economies of scale that the fulfilment partner has.
The ‘Click’: You need to feel a ‘click’ with your fulfilment partner. Does the partner understand your strategy and want to work with you towards your future vision? This forms the emotional aspect of decision-making.
What Do I Need to Know Before Contacting a Fulfilment Partner?
You can prepare for conversations with different fulfilment partners by answering the questions below:
- Through which channels are my products sold?
- What product category do the products belong to?
- How many SKUs do I have?
- What is the expected stock volume?
- What is the expected number of shipments per month?
- Are these primarily shipments to Belgium and the Netherlands, or also to other countries?
Once you’ve answered these questions, you can start looking for a fulfilment partner, as based on these answers, the partner can provide a quote.
Looking for a Fulfilment Partner?
Have you reached the point where you want to outsource your logistics? Webship is happy to assist you! Would you like to receive a quote? Answer the questions above and send an email to hallo@webship.be.
