Steps to Choosing The Right Fulfillment Partner for Your Business

An Image of a Path to Success and Failure.

In both your personal and professional life, choosing the right partner is a serious decision with far-reaching effects. When you’re ready to pick a fulfillment company, follow these steps to make an informed choice.

1. Does the company meet your needs?

Most fulfillment companies, anxious to secure your business, will assure you that they can meet your needs, even without knowing what they are. Don’t take their word for it. Do some due diligence and ask questions that reveal the company’s capabilities and limitations:

  • Can they provide support across all your sales channels?
  • Is the company active within your industry?
  • Do they make use of the latest high-tech tools, or are they lagging behind the times?

2. Can the company scale along with you?

It’s inconvenient and disruptive (not in a good way!) when you have to find a new fulfillment service because your business has outgrown the capabilities of the current one. Look for a fulfillment partner that can scale with you over the long term, as well as during seasonal fluctuations.

3. Does the company offer a full range of shipping solutions?

Shipping can make or break an eCommerce company. Consumers have become accustomed to timely and cost-effective delivery. If you can’t provide it, they’ll turn to your competition.

4. What is the fulfillment company’s professional reputation?

It can be tempting to partner with a new and inexperienced fulfillment service that will eagerly promise you the moon. Don’t risk your own business by being a learning experience for another company. When a company has extensive experience and quality references, you can trust them to follow through on their commitments.

Your Top Choice for a Fulfillment Company

At Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics, your success is our success. Contact us today for more information.

Trends Continuing to Shape eCommerce in 2023

Graphs and Electronics on a Table Depicting eCommerce and Warehousing Trends

Online merchants are exploring or implementing ways to improve customer experiences and ensure safety for online payments. Whether online store owners handle everything themselves or use a fulfillment company, it’s important to be aware of these trends. The following are some of the top trends in eCommerce this year.

Fraud Detection

Many online store owners are looking into new tools that help with fraud detection. This helps lower the risk of phishing attacks and other kinds of fraud. Some store owners are planning on using better fraud analytics, while others are focusing on improving automated detection accuracy and improving the process of chargeback disputes.

Chatbots and Other Digital Tools

Online merchants are turning to chatbots to help improve customer experience, since these bots are able to reply to questions or concerns quickly. Online store owners are also making use of connected devices that offer touchless transactions and a more streamline experience on multiple channels.

New Payment Methods

An increasing number of online store owners are offering other payment methods, such as digital wallets. Other payment methods that online merchants are adding include buy now pay later (BNPL) and localized digital payment methods, such as account-to-account transactions. Offering additional payment methods helps improve the customer experience.

Machine Learning and AI

Some online merchants are using machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) to handle certain applications, such as authorizing payments and improving fraud management.

Fulfillment Companies

As eCommerce increases, more online merchants are using fulfillment companies to process and fulfill orders, ship merchandise to customers, and handle other tasks. This helps online store owners ensure efficiency and customer satisfaction.

If you’re looking for the right fulfillment company to help your online store thrive, contact Medallion Fulfillment and Logistics. We offer order processing, internet store fulfillment, 3PL services, and much more.

How a Trusted Fulfillment Partner Can Positively Impact a Customers Experience

Ecommerce Business Owner and Fulfillment Warehouse Provider Shaking Hands.

Did you know that 90 percent of online shoppers are less likely to purchase from a retailer after a disappointing experience? That’s one of the findings from a survey conducted by Körber, a major provider of supply chain software and automation solutions.

Here are some consumer concerns revealed in Körber’s survey and how partnering with a fulfillment warehouse can help you exceed customer expectations.

1. Price is the most important factor in shipping.

Spiraling inflation and lingering effects from pandemic shutdowns continue to drive the cost of living higher. Customers don’t want the price of goods compounded by high shipping costs. A fulfillment service allows you to enjoy the benefits of preferred shipping rates that are generally not available to independent retailers.

2. What’s outside is just as important as what’s inside.

Survey participants indicated that they form an opinion of an eCommerce retailer before a shipped product is even opened. The size and shape of a container, use of sustainable materials, and overall appearance of the package all factor into their evaluation. It’s also important to note that many respondents believe that the seller, not the shipper, is responsible for poor packaging.

A fulfillment warehouse employs experienced personnel who are able to select the appropriate containers and packing materials for all shipments, regardless of size and shape. They can also assist with design and creation of custom packaging.

3. Customers value returns options.

Nearly 90 percent of survey respondents said that returns options affect their choice of retailer. Processing returns can be a hassle, but a quality fulfillment service will efficiently handle them for you, regardless of the reason.

Partner with Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics for Superior Service

Don’t take on customer concerns by yourself. Contact us to learn more about why you should partner with our fulfillment warehouse.

How Our Start Up Program Sets You Up For Success

Fulfillment Warehouse Owner Greeting a New Customer

Studies show that the first 90 days of operation are often a make-or-break period for eComm businesses. One of the more frequently cited reasons for failure? Owners are pulled in too many different directions, preventing their focus on marketing and growing sales.

Beat the odds with the help of a fulfillment company that has experience solving the challenges of eComm. Our Flat Rate Fulfillment Starter Program provides valuable support that sets you on the road to success.

How Does Our Program Work?

Our starter program addresses two factors that are crucial for all eComm start-ups: order fulfillment and budgeting.

  • As per the name of the program, you pay a flat rate fee for the first 60 days. Your specific rate is determined based on your product.
  • You have the option to apply pricing to 500 or 1,000 orders during the 60-day period. The fee includes a full range of fulfillment services, from account set-up and customer service to shipping, warehousing and returns processing.
  • Get our full-service fulfillment company program at a deeply discounted price.

Why Choose Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics?

  • Enjoy lower start-up costs and get a solid figure to use in calculating return on investment (ROI).
  • Free up your time to concentrate on marketing activities, such as testing a new product or fine-tuning your online presence.
  • Enable a smooth transition to a full-service fulfillment program that scales along with your company.
  • Benefit from the knowledge and experience of a family-run company that’s been successfully providing fulfillment services for more than four decades.

Medallion: Your #1 Choice for Fulfillment Company Services

At Medallion, we consider ourselves to be a partner in your success. With facilities on both coasts, we can handle the needs of any eComm business: small, large, or anything in between. Contact us to learn more.

Starting Your Own Online eCommerce Business Part 1

eCommerce Business Concept

As more customers shop online instead of in stores, opening an eCommerce online store can be a lucrative idea. Opening this kind of business might seem simple compared to opening a brick-and-mortar shop. However, it’s important to make sure your online store is fully ready. From coming up with a business concept to partnering with a fulfillment warehouse, keep the following guide in mind for opening an online store.

Choose a Business Concept

What kinds of products are you planning on selling? Some online stores sell a variety of products, while others specialize in certain items only. Think of the types of products you’re interested in selling to the public.

Check Out the Competition

Before diving into eCommerce, it’s important to be familiar with your competition. Do research on other businesses that sell similar products as your store. Look at how much they charge for their items and what kinds of discounts and specials they offer.

Write a Business Plan

Your business plan gives you a road map to refer to as you work on getting your online business up and running. This plan should include an executive summary, market analysis, company description, mission, and product information.

Decide on a Business Structure

The structure of your online store affects taxes and other financial aspects of your business. Explore the pros and cons of different structures, such as limited liability partnerships (LLPs), corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs).

Take Care of Registration and Licenses

When you have a store name and decide on a structure, it’s time to register your business. You’ll also need to obtain any licenses and permits your company needs for legal purposes.

Looking to team up with a fulfillment warehouse for your online business? Contact Medallion Fulfillment and Logistics for more information on our services.