When you’re evaluating a fulfillment partner, you should be looking at scalability. You want to find a fulfillment centre that helps your business with its current needs while also having the capacity to grow with your business. To that end, here are some of the factors you should consider with any fulfillment centre:
Fees
Fulfillment providers often have different fee structures. Some may only charge a per-order and storage fee, while others may break down fees into various services (such as a picking fee, packaging fee, etc.). Onboarding fees are charged by some providers, too.
Bear in mind that many fulfillment centres will scale their fees based on how many orders you process in a given month. The more orders, the cheaper the fees. Some fulfillment centres won’t even do business with you unless you meet a certain minimum monthly order volume.
Choosing Flexible Shipping Carrier Options
One essential aspect is to prioritize a fulfillment centre that offers flexibility in choosing shipping carriers. Opt for a centre that provides you with the liberty to select from a range of shipping companies as carriers. This flexibility ensures that you’re not restricted to the offerings of a specific logistics company. In some cases, fulfillment companies might also operate as logistics as their core business, potentially pushing their transportation services. By having the option to choose your preferred carrier, you can maintain control over costs, delivery timelines, and service quality, ensuring that your customers receive the best shipping experience possible. Selecting a fulfillment centre that prioritizes your preferences regarding shipping carriers can significantly impact your business’s overall efficiency and customer satisfaction
Multichannel fulfillment
Even if you’re not currently selling on multiple channels, you should always leave the option open. Many fulfillment centres offer support for multiple sales channels and marketplaces. Keep an eye out for any additional fees or hoops that might come with multichannel selling.
Integration with key systems
Partner with a fulfillment centre that integrates with the channels and/or platforms you use. If you have a WooCommerce site, you’ll need to make sure your fulfillment centre has a way to take orders directly from your website. The same goes for any returns or order management platforms you might use. The last thing you want to do is add extra steps for yourself.