5 Tips on hiring a Fulfillment Company for New eCommerce Business

Business owner On the Phone with a Fulfillment Company.

Partnering with the right fulfillment warehouse can be the difference between steadily growing your sales or floundering in place. Here are five questions to ask when evaluating a potential fulfillment company.

1. Do they provide speedy shipping?

Home delivery is part of the convenience of online shopping. Customers don’t want to wait for their purchases, and they’ve come to expect rapid shipment. Slow delivery times is one of the major reasons consumers switch to another eCommerce company.

2. Are they reliable?

Both you and your customers need to rely on the performance of your fulfillment company. Communication should be open and frequent across all channels, and the company should be providing you with comprehensive and accurate data regarding inventory, delivery times and other metrics.

3. Are they tech-forward?

With all the moving parts involved in the order fulfillment process, it’s nearly impossible to manage it manually. Sophisticated high-tech systems provide real-time data that enables you to respond promptly to any areas that need attention.

4. Are their services cost-effective?

Use of a fulfillment warehouse is a good way to consolidate expenses, but you still have to make it work within your budget. When evaluating costs, go past the initial charges to see if they have tiered pricing schedules, volume discounts and other ways to maximize your investment.

5. Are they scalable?

As your business grows, the last thing you want to do is start over with a different fulfillment company because your original choice can’t handle the increased workload. Look for a company that can accommodate seasonal fluctuations and long-term growth so you can develop a mutually beneficial partnership.

Your Top Choice for Fulfillment Warehouse Services

Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics has extensive experience working with eCommerce companies of all sizes and types. Contact us to learn more.

Is Your eCommerce Business Ready to Outsource Fulfilment and Warehousing?

Cardboard box package with blur hand of Asian shopper woman picking product from shelf in warehouse. customer shopping lifestyle in department store or purchasing factory good concepts.

No matter how competent and ambitious you are, you can’t do it all. Successful eCommerce entrepreneurs know when and where to seek help. Are you ready to outsource to a fulfillment warehouse? Use these questions to guide your decision.

1. What type of product do you sell?

Many fulfillment warehouses offer general services that fit a wide range of products. Other companies support specific categories, such as clothing or appliances. Keep in mind that you’re likely to pay more for specialized services.

2. Does the cost fit your budget?

Outsourcing is counterproductive if it eats into your profitability. Crunch the numbers to make sure the value of the expense outweighs the cost.

3. Does the fulfillment company provide complete customer support?

Unlike brick-and-mortar stores, eCommerce businesses can’t provide face-to-face customer service. Email support is helpful, but it’s only part of the solution. A first-rate fulfillment service includes phone and online chat in their communication options. And don’t forget that you are also a customer who deserves quality support.

4. How does the fulfillment company handle mistakes?

While 100 percent fulfillment is always the goal, the reality is that mistakes happen. A customer may receive an incorrect or damaged item, or the order may be lost entirely. Get the company’s policies and procedures for damaged, lost, or incorrect shipments spelled out in detail so you don’t get unpleasant surprises down the road.

5. Are the fulfillment services scalable?

As your business grows, a fulfillment company’s services should grow with you. Don’t forget about short-term scalability, such as fluctuations in business during the end-of-year holiday season.

Experienced and Cost-Effective Fulfillment Warehouse Services

Our family-owned business has grown from a small operation located in a garage to a company with facilities on both coasts. Contact us at Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics to learn more.

4 Benefits of Outsourcing Your Order Fulfillment to a Professional Company

Image of Miniaturized Fulfillment.

Fulfilling orders is a time-consuming process for business owners, but it’s also an essential one for customer satisfaction. Getting order processed, packed, and shipped as quickly and efficiently as possible helps ensure that customers receive their orders promptly. Outsourcing these tasks to a fulfillment company offers an efficient way to ensure they’re handled without delay. Companies can expect the following benefits when partnering with fulfillment companies.

  • Quicker Deliveries

Many customers expect to receive orders as quickly as possible, which can be a challenge for business owners. Working with a fulfillment company means that businesses have access to faster delivery services, so customers can get their orders in a shorter timeframe. This can boost customer satisfaction and generate more business.

  • Cost Savings

Companies can save money while working with fulfillment companies. These companies typically offer discounted prices on bulk shipments, as well as competitive rates for shipping overall. This can help companies save money on the cost of fulfilling orders, especially if they tend to have large order volumes.

  • Time Savings

Processing orders, managing inventory, packing orders, and shipping them out can take up a considerable amount of time for business owners. Fulfillment companies can take care of these tasks, so that business owners can spend time on other tasks involved with running a successful company.

  • Optimized Fulfillment Process

Fulfillment companies are able to handle every step of the fulfillment process as efficiently as possible, from processing orders to shipping them. Whether businesses have a single warehouse or multiple warehouses, fulfillment companies can optimize the fulfillment process to ensure speed and efficiency.

If you need a dependable fulfillment company for your business, contact Medallion Fulfillment and Logistics to learn more about our services. We provide high-quality fulfillment services to help companies increase efficiency and customer satisfaction.

The Ins and Outs of an eCommerce Fulfillment Company Part 2

eCommerce Fulfillment Warehouse Workers Packing the Delivery Truck.

Now that you know the tasks that an eCommerce fulfillment company handles, it’s time to focus on how this is done. Companies can approach fulfillment in different ways, with the overall goal being to fulfill orders quickly and efficiently. From handling everything in house to working with a fulfillment warehouse, these are a few strategies companies might use.

Staying In House

This strategy involves keeping all fulfillment tasks in house rather than working with any third-party fulfillment companies. Businesses with a smaller volume might find this option suitable, especially if it helps them save money. However, companies with a large volume of orders might find in-house fulfillment a challenge.

Using Dropshipping

An eCommerce company that dropships can save money on startup costs. This option involves having orders sent to a manufacturer or supplier who handles picking, packing, and shipping. Companies who use dropshipping only pay for merchandise that customers purchase, which can keep costs down. However, they need to make sure the manufacturers or suppliers who handle picking, packing, and shipping are reliable and efficient to ensure customer satisfaction.

Using Third-Party Logistics

Third-party logistics (3PL) involves having another company handle all fulfillment tasks, as well as supply chain management. This includes storing inventory, shipping orders, receiving merchandise, and more. This option is a good choice for eCommerce companies that have a large volume of orders to fulfill. Using a 3PL company means that businesses don’t have to find their own space to store merchandise or worry about making sure orders are shipped promptly. Instead, they can focus on other aspects of their eCommerce business to help it succeed.

If you’re searching for a dependable fulfillment warehouse, contact Medallion Fulfillment and Logistics. We can help ensure that your orders are fulfilled promptly to increase customer satisfaction.

Changing Trends in Apparel eCommerce Will Lead to Greater Need of Warehouse Space

Image of a person taking a picture of clothing with their phone to post on social media.

The rise in online shopping in recent years has affected many consumer markets, including apparel. An increasing number of shoppers are becoming more comfortable with purchasing clothing online instead of in brick-and-mortar stores. The latest trends in apparel eCommerce point to a growing need for online businesses to invest in warehouse space, such as partnering with an apparel fulfillment warehouse.

Increased Online Shopping

One of the biggest trends in eCommerce is that more consumers are shopping online, especially in some parts of the U.S. Consumers in the eastern U.S. are turning to online stores more overall. Online shopping is expected to remain stable. This makes it important for apparel eCommerce owners to make sure they have plenty of space for storing clothing items, so that orders can be handled right away.

Consumer Loyalty

More and more online shoppers stay loyal to certain retailers or brands when shopping for apparel. Many of these turn to fast-fashion stores and specialty stores that they have shopped at in the past. Building a loyal customer base can help online apparel stores thrive and stay ahead of the competition. Part of encouraging customers to remain loyal involves ensuring that their orders are fulfilled and shipped as quickly as possible.

Social Media and Influencers

Roughly a third of adults in the U.S. consider social media an influence on their apparel purchases. Some of these consumers are inspired to buy fashion products after watching or seeing social media influencers wear them or recommend them. Making use of social media can help apparel eCommerce owners benefit from this trend.

Medallion Fulfillment & Logistics Your Apparel Fulfillment Warehouse

If you are looking for a fulfillment warehouse for your apparel eCommerce store, please contact Medallion Fulfillment and Logistics. We can provide your business with the space and fast shipping times needed to fulfill orders promptly in order to ensure customer loyalty.