Category: eCommerce Fulfillment

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What You Need to Know About E-Commerce Taxes and Regulations

ecommerce taxes and regulations

Running an eCommerce business comes with many responsibilities. Some of the most important include staying on top of taxes and regulations. This helps prevent penalties or other issues that affect your business. The following tips can help you understand these better.

Destination-Based vs. Origin-Based Sales Taxes

Many states use a destination-based approach to sales tax. This means online businesses charge sales tax based on a customer’s location. Other states use an origin-based approach, which means state taxes are based on the business location.

For example, if orders are shipped from a business or fulfillment warehouse in one state, the sales tax for those might be based on the customer’s state under destination-based sales tax sourcing. With origin-based sourcing, the sales tax would be based on the company’s location.

State Tax Rules

It’s important to become familiar with state tax rules, which differ from state to state. Some states don’t tax apps or other digital goods, while others do. Some states have tax exemptions when you sell overseas. Other tax-related issues to be aware of include sales tax holidays and exemptions.

Examples of exemptions include survival items, such as prescriptions or groceries, wholesale exemptions, and non-profit exemptions. Study the specific tax exemptions for different states to see which apply to your eCommerce business.

Sales Tax Permits and Reporting

Some states require business owners to have a permit in order to collect sales taxes in certain jurisdictions. Apply for one if needed before you begin collecting this money. For sales tax reporting, keep deadlines in mind to avoid being hit with penalties.

Partnering with the right fulfillment warehouse allows you to focus on taxes and regulations instead of picking, packing, and shipping orders. Contact Medallion Fulfillment and Logistics today to find out how we can help your eCommerce business.

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Warehousing or Fulfillment Service – Understanding Your Needs

Medallion Fulfillment for Third Party Fulfillment Needs.

As the operator of a virtual storefront, your eCommerce business needs storage for your products and a way to fulfill orders. Which will better satisfy your needs: a warehouse or a fulfillment company? Take a closer look at how each one works.

Difference Between Warehouse and Fulfillment Center

• Warehouses are widely used by both eCommerce shops and brick-and-mortar stores. These large facilities provide storage for a company’s inventory until it’s sold. Individual SKUs (stock keeping units) are kept on shelves or in storage bins and containers to facilitate order-picking.

• On the other hand, a fulfillment center is a more comprehensive operation. In addition to storing product, a fulfillment center generally handles the entire process, from inventory management to order filling and shipping. These centers are sometimes referred to as a third-party logistics provider, or 3PL.

Benefits of a Fulfillment Company

• In business, larger volume means better pricing. A fulfillment center manages a number of customers, allowing them to receive more advantageous pricing on supplies and transportation than you could ever obtain on your own.

• Are you finding it difficult to keep up with the ever-increasing number of orders? Is it taking too long for customers to receive their products? Fulfillment centers have streamlined processes that can be scaled to accommodate company growth.

• Order fulfillment involves many moving parts. Managing this side of your business on your own is cumbersome and time-consuming. When you partner with a fulfillment warehouse, it frees you up to spend your time and energy growing your business.

A Fulfillment Company Invested in Your Success

At Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics, your success means our success. We have a variety of services, including start-up and Amazon replenishment warehousing, that can be tailored to fit your individual needs. Contact us today for more information.

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Startups and New Businesses Have Special Financial Needs, How to Plan for Success

Women, owner of small business packing product in boxes

For many new entrepreneurs, managing finances is one of the more intimidating aspects of a startup business. Ensuring that funding, expenses and other financial elements are controlled from the beginning prevents minor issues from snowballing into major problems.

The good news is that financial management is not as difficult as you might think. Our fulfillment warehouse has been part of several successful startups, so we’re offering these expert tips to get your fledgling business rolling with solid financial planning.

Manage Expenses

In the beginning, expenses can be a huge drain on cash flow during the time you need it the most. Fortunately, most costs can be reasonably estimated ahead of time. Create a year-long budget covering rent, wages, materials, taxes and other fixed expenses and focus on keeping them as low as possible.

Avoid Commingling Funds

As the owner, you may feel all funds are ultimately yours so the line between personal and business finances becomes blurred. When you keep both sides completely separate, it’s much easier to track business finances and prevent personal spending from draining the company account. You should also formally pay yourself a salary rather than simply dip into company funds.

Keep Detailed and Accurate Records

When it comes to judging your company’s performance, you can’t afford to rely on gut feelings or instinct. Make sure an experienced accountant, either in-house or outside, is keeping track of revenue and expenses. Review financial statements regularly and make adjustments based on a clear, overall picture.

Don’t Overdo It

You may feel compelled to take on as many roles as you can to save money, but that strategy can actually be counterproductive. Learning unfamiliar skills on the fly can end up costing more time and money than hiring an experienced person in the first place. Delegating work frees you up to focus on your passion and grow the business.

Learn to Negotiate

Don’t take vendor terms at face value. You’ll be surprised at how often suppliers are willing to make concessions to gain your business. Prepare a game plan ahead of time so you know what your goals are. Remember that it never hurts to ask!

Invest in Technology

Business technology has become so advanced and so widely integrated that your company will be at a serious disadvantage from day one without it. Any investment you make in technology will pay for itself in money and time savings.

Establish an Emergency Fund

Financial experts recommend that people maintain an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses, and a company is no different. Put aside a percentage of income during peak times to help tide you through the slow periods.

Fulfillment Warehouse Services That Grow Along with You

Are you struggling with adjustments as your business expands? Our fulfillment warehouse services can be tailored to meet you specific needs today and scale to accommodate future requirements. Contact us at Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics to learn more about why we are the first choice for one-stop warehousing, inventory control and order processing services.

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The Right Fulfillment Warehouse Partner Makes All the Difference for the Hoidays

Warehouse Fulfillment Parners Helping Small eCommerce Businesses Through the Holidays.

“Teamwork makes the dream work.” When it comes to making your customers’ holiday dreams come true, teaming up with the right fulfillment warehouse partner can make all the difference. Here’s a look at how Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics can help you successfully navigate the challenges of seasonal sales for your eCommerce business.

1. Handling sudden spikes in order volume

Many companies do as much as one-third of their annual sales during the holiday season. That requires a near-instantaneous ramp-up of operations to enable your company to capture all the additional business. A good fulfillment company can more easily pivot to accommodate sudden changes in demand.

2. Overcoming limited capacity

It’s expensive and time-consuming to temporarily increase workforce and warehouse space. Teaming up with a fulfillment company automatically extends both resources, requiring little to no change in your own facilities.

3. Optimizing inventory management.

If you lose a holiday sale due to lack of inventory, that sale is gone forever. Conversely, if your warehouse is overstocked, you’re already at a disadvantage going into the new year. Fulfillment warehouses have fine-tuned systems in place to make inventory management more accurate.

4. Ensuring carrier availability

Don’t let carriers hold your seasonal business hostage for higher rates. With a quality fulfillment company, you enjoy the benefits of their strong relationships with a wide range of carriers.

5. Processing returns

No one enjoys them, but post-holiday returns are a necessary evil. Why not let a fulfillment company handle the returns so you can focus on getting off to a good start in the new year?

Medallion: A Fulfillment Warehouse Partner for All Seasons

Want to make your own holiday dreams come true? Contact us at Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics and let us create a cost-effective program that’s tailored to meet the specific needs of your eCommerce business.

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Five Tips on How to Create Engaging Product Descriptions That Sell

Happy businessman working on his laptop at home. Handsome businessman reading an email on his laptop at home. Freelance entrepreneur typing on his laptop at home. Virtual remote worker at home

When you’re looking for ways to increase business, focusing on product descriptions can pay off. It’s not enough to simply list the product name and its features. These descriptions should entice customers to learn more about your products and make a purchase. Combining effective product descriptions with other business-boosting steps, such as partnering with a fulfillment warehouse for faster processing and shipping, can help your online store thrive.

Zoom in On Your Targeted Audience

General product descriptions might seem like a good way to reach a wider audience. However, these generic descriptions aren’t likely to appeal to many buyers overall. Focus on your target audience for each product description instead. Doing this gives you a much higher chance of appealing to prospective buyers.

Go Big on Benefits

Customers want to know why they should buy your products or how your products might help them. Rather than including a list of technical features, focus on the benefits your products provide. These benefits can persuade customers to find out more about your products and consider purchasing them.

Don’t Skimp on Details

Descriptions that use general phrases to describe products aren’t doing much to grab customers’ attention. Include specific details about your products to help customers learn more about them.

Share Glowing Reviews

Including reviews in your product descriptions can show other customers how popular your products are. Share images or quotes from reviews in your descriptions.

Format Product Descriptions with Care

Good product descriptions don’t just involve using the right words. The way these descriptions are formatted can also make them more or less effective. Create product descriptions that are easy to read. Use bullet points, white space, high-quality images, and larger font sizes.

Looking for the right fulfillment warehouse to partner with? Contact Medallion Fulfillment and Logistics for more information.

Your #1 Solution for Year-Round Warehouse Fulfillment Services

Your need for effective California fulfillment services doesn’t end when the sale is over. Medallion’s comprehensive programs are specifically designed to accommodate the ebbs and flows of your particular company.

Our robust Amazon replenishment warehousing services meet Amazon’s standards at a more cost-effective price. Contact us for more information.