Improve Your Customer Experience with Expert eCommerce Fulfillment
eCommerce Fulfillment
It’s safe to say that eCommerce is more than a trend. Almost 2 billion people regularly shop online across the globe. If you have an online business, that statistic might have you jumping for joy.
But, it should also make you realize the importance of eCommerce fulfillment. Simply put, because there are so many online shoppers, your business may also have a lot of competition.
So, what is eCommerce fulfillment and why is it so important to your customers’ experience?
A “Prime” Example
We live in a fast-paced world, and giants in the eCommerce industry have spoiled consumers when it comes to getting the items they order as quickly as possible. Perhaps no one has done it better than Amazon, especially when it comes to its Prime service.
Amazon Prime offers two-day shipping in most cases. Now, thanks to warehouses across the globe, many people can even get their Amazon packages on the same day if they live in a larger city. It’s an “I want it now” mentality that those in the eCommerce industry need to be able to keep up with, or they might fall behind when it comes to sales.
If you don’t think that’s true, consider this: 25% of shoppers have canceled an order because the shipping speed was too slow.
It doesn’t just stop with the shipping speed. Consumers need to feel valued from start to finish throughout the buying process. If your business has hidden fees or extra shipping costs, customers are more likely to abandon their carts.
What Can Your Business Do to Improve the eCommerce Experience?
There are a few things to keep in mind when you’re considering how you can improve eCommerce fulfillment for your customers.
First, you have to consider your receiving options. Of course, it’s exciting whenever someone places an order. But, if you don’t have the inventory on hand to process that order and get it out quickly, you’ll likely end up with an unhappy consumer. Having inventory on hand typically either means housing it at a warehouse or having a third-party company take care of it. Always plan to have enough inventory to cover your sales so you can ship things out quickly.
Order processing includes everything from retrieving the items from where they are being stored to packaging them correctly before shipping them out. In many cases, aspects of the processing timeline can be streamlined through automation or other advancements in technology. This helps to prevent user error and can make the process faster.
One of the best things you can do to keep your customers happy once a product is shipped is to keep them informed. Tracking technology is easy to implement, so once a customer is given a tracking number, be sure to update them on where their package is and when they can expect to receive it. Being as detailed as possible will help the customer to be more patient with their delivery because they’ll be more “in the know” about the shipping process.
There are many things to consider when it comes to eCommerce fulfillment, from where to store your inventory to whether or not to offer incentives like two-day shipping. While it’s important to keep your own costs in mind, a good rule of thumb is to consider the needs of the consumer first. If you can cater to those needs, you’re more likely to receive more orders, find more success, and grow your fulfillment solutions.
Want more help with delighting your customers with advanced eCommerce fulfillment? Contact ShipJoy today!
Image courtesy of macrovector.