ecommerce

March 2, 2020

The Top 5 Trends Shaping eCommerce In 2020

SJoyAdmin Blog ecommerce, shipjoy, trends

shipjoy, trends, ecommerce Today’s consumers hold more power than ever. They have choices, and they know it. They want the right products, at the right price, and they want them delivered almost immediately.

In order to keep up with the sophisticated demands of 2020 eCommerce trends, companies need to get their strategies on point so that they don’t fall behind their competitors.

Your choice of fulfillment partner can make or break your business. In the eyes of the consumer, they are you. There’s no distinction between them clicking ‘buy’ online and the product arriving at their door.

eCommerce fulfillment operations know this and are leading the charge to bring the industry up to the very highest technological standards.

Here are some 2020 eCommerce trends that we’ll be seeing over the next year.

#1 Rise Of The Machines

Automation is becoming key to fulfillment activities. High levels of productivity and efficiency give them a competitive edge.

Organizations such as Amazon are already using robotics and enhanced automation in their warehouses alongside their human workers.

At present, this technology is still relatively new and extremely expensive, but as it evolves, the price of technology starts to come down, we will see more companies adopting it in the near future.

#2 Adoption Of Emerging Technology

It’s not just robotic automation we’re seeing utilized, warehouses are getting to be extremely creative in their use of new tech.

The same programs that allow consumers to virtually decorate the rooms in their home or try out a new hair color are now being used in warehousing to identify and locate stock.

#3 Tracking Products In Real-Time

Consumer demands around their online retail experience are driving eCommerce and fulfillment partners to share real-time information throughout the entire buying process.

Websites, marketplaces, apps, logistics, payment portals, and couriers are now interconnected, providing a seamless experience for the customer and allowing up to the minute reporting on stock and fulfillment.

#4 Accessing The Global Marketplace

The rise in the number of online marketplaces is fueling the retail sector at a rate never seen before.

Retailers now have access to customers all over the world beyond a physical store. Fulfillment partners like ShipJoy are now providing services across multi-channel fulfillment.

In 2018, 1.8 billion people bought something online. That is over 21 percent of the world’s population. This number is expected to reach 2.14 billion by 2021.

#5 Offsetting Of Increasing Costs

The warehousing industry is going through significant change at present. Poor working conditions in some areas have been highlighted in the press and have lead to an industry-wide push for better pay, conditions, and benefits for workers.

In response to these increased costs, the industry is now looking at ways to reduce and streamline their processes, offer new value-added services and cushion the financial blow being passed on to the end-users.

Contact ShipJoy today for more information on how to take advantage of 2020 eCommerce trends shaping the industry.

February 3, 2020

eCommerce Trends in 2020 and Beyond

SJoyAdmin Blog ecommerce, shipping, trends

2019 was a year for growth and innovation in eCommerce trends. Major shifts occurred in demand and heightened customer expectations. New delivery and logistics management solutions are making fulfillment companies smarter, faster and more cost efficient for retail businesses. Based on what we know and what 2019 has shown us, there are some major eCommerce trends that fulfillment centers will be seeing in 2020.

Technology & Artificial Intelligence

Due to the nature of the industry there tends to be a lack of visibility and transparency in eCommerce trends. This has a negative effect on the supply chain from start to finish. Companies are now trying to reduce that risk through increasing access and utilizing information. Preferably in a way that helps to streamline inventory management. New inventory management software is making it easier to track and organize products stored in warehouses. To further speed up the process machines are taking on a bigger role in picking, packing, and shipping products.

What we predict in 2020 is a significant increase in digital workflows that companies are adopting to help reduce costs. Of course, rolling out new systems and training comes at big costs. But as business owners, it’s imperative to look at this as an investment that will pay off as operating costs are reduced year-by-year. While this all sounds like a no brainer it’s important to point out that infrastructure should be in place before making these investments for the best results. Keep an eye out for drawbacks to the customer that may affect their experience.

More Warehouses

As ecommerce trends shift away from brick and mortar retail locations to online shopping, so does the supply-chain process. With less inventory being processed through retail storefronts, you need to be able to accommodate for the influx of online orders. This includes having ample amounts of space to store the product before it ships. The larger companies will begin to purchase their own warehouses where smaller companies with less capital will still need to outsource to major warehouses.

Lower Costs

As the eCommerce industry booms so does the demand for shipping needs. To meet demand the shipping frequency has increased along with competition. Increased shipments and competition allow for fulfillment providers to broker an even better deal. This further lowers distribution costs for retailers which pass the shared savings onto the consumer.

While shipping costs appear to be lowering, there are new hurdles that companies are facing due to the political climate. New trade disputes are beginning to change operational costs as tariff policies are put into place. There is much unrest as we have yet to see how rising tariffs will increase prices and ecommerce trends. This of course will have an impact on consumer demand making it difficult for smaller businesses to compete in market space.

Expert Fulfillment Services

We are eCommerce shipping experts that make growing your business enjoyable. With ShipJoy’s eCommerce fulfillment support you’ll have the guidance and technology you need to delight customers, maximize growth, and scale your business joyfully. Our specialists work tirelessly to ensure we provide the best e-commerce fulfillment, warehousing, and shipping solutions for your business. Contact us today to stay ahead of the competition!

February 3, 2020

Don’t Get Gypped When You Ship

SJoyAdmin Blog costs, ecommerce, shipping

Controlling eCommerce Shipping Costs

Cost with eCommerce returns can offset a profit in lightning speed. Damage control for shipping is becoming more important today as most products are being bought online. If you’re not looking to throw away more money, then look at these tips to help control your eCommerce shipping costs.

Tip 1: It’s All in the Handlers

Select a company who is reliable and respectful of your goods. Be sure to find reputable people to manage your items who offer shipping insurance. Tracking the packages during transit and pre-delivery is also a big responsibility where most trustworthy companies will take recourse on missing items. Beyond all, the handlers are professional packers who understand the importance and take pride in their jobs ultimately delivering quality of results.

Tip 2: Shrinkage Starts and Stops with Packaging

Several issues arise from the warehouse to delivery destination. From flooding to dropping the package anything is possible where using appropriate dunnage and packaging is key for protection.

The pros ensure safe packing with plenty of wrapping or cushion without overusing .

Tip 3: Damage Control Uses the Rule, Less is More

Many times, the cost of doing business happens before the item ever leaves the warehouse. Overused packaging materials can be very expensive. In addition, sturdy boxes that can resist impact and act as a shock absorber are crucial to ensure your products reach the final destination in one piece without excessive eCommerce shipping costs.

Tip 4: Use the Right Packaging Materials for the Job

Your shipping company can make suggestions for using the right materials for the job. Things like solid plastics, bubble wrap and air pillows may be more suitable depending on the items you are delivering. But, if you need to cut back costs and still want to avoid damage, items like kraft paper and wood chips might be a good alternative.

Tip 5: Thieves, Rodents and Other Damaging Elements

Since the world of eCommerce is exploding, there are more factors to determine during the pre-shipping stage. For instance, rodents can be a nuisance when shipping things like food. Also, porch thieves are more prevalent and not just during the holidays. Not to mention, if they leave your package in the rain, water can significantly damage the contents inside the box. The company you select to move your items to their recipients will ensure they address these potential hazards prior to items leaving the warehouse. While the cost may be more for the delivery, it should offset the eCommerce shipping cost of returning damaged items.

Tip 6: Use a Tracking System and Keep a Log of Packages

You could lose future business if you’re not keeping track of your eCommerce shipping costs. Determine who, what, where and how the packages became damaged and use a tracking system where you’re keeping a log of the occurrences. Sometimes, you may need to get more involved with the shippers or stop using them altogether.

These are just a few ways to prevent damage and keep your customers happy. It’s not realistic to think you’ll have a 100% batting average with shipping your eCommerce items. However, by following these quick tips, you will be on the fulfillment cutting edge without losing as much in the long run.

Improve your operations with ShipJoy to help control your eCommerce shipping costs. Our experts have decades of experience and are ready to serve your brand at the highest levels.

Beautiful smart Asian young entrepreneur business woman owner of

January 29, 2020

What Does It Take To Start An eCommerce Business?

SJoyAdmin Blog business, ecommerce, fulfillment, starting

ecommerce, starting, ship joy The Internet has opened up incredible opportunities for starting an eCommerce business. Entrepreneurs around the world are able to do this from the comfort of their own home, or via a laptop while traveling the world.

Unfortunately, 96% of all companies (no matter what industry) fail over 10 years. Keep that in mind when you build the infrastructure of your brand–there is far more to successfully running an eCommerce business than there is in starting an eCommerce business.

In this post, we are going to take a look at some of the key steps that you should take when you are starting an eCommerce business.

What Platform Should You Choose When Starting an eCommerce Business?

The leading eCommerce platform – Shopify – is host to more than 500,000 active stores. This is just one avenue for selling online today. You also have more than five million individuals and businesses selling products on Amazon. Other options include eBay, WooCommerce, and dozens of smaller 3rd party eCommerce partners. Globally, the eCommerce market is over $3 Trillion per year!

When you take these numbers and options into account, it’s easy to see why more and more people are selling products via the web today.

While you cannot guarantee success, there are a number of things you can do in order to put the odds in your favor.

Determine why you are starting an eCommerce business to begin with – There is only one place to begin, and this is with your reasons for starting an eCommerce business. A lot of people do not sit down and think about why this is the best option for them. In fact, too often they form their idea and then charge off without seeing the long-term impact of their decisions. If you’re thinking of starting an eCommerce business just because you don’t like your job, that is not a good enough reason! Some other reasons that aren’t compelling enough include because you want to be rich and famous and you think that the Internet is the easiest and fastest way to make money – for most people, it’s not! Other reasons that aren’t good enough include because you want to follow what is trendy or because you want to brag to your family and friends. It is important to recognize that starting a company is one of the biggest commitments anyone can make, which is why it is critical to ensure you are doing it for the correct reasons. If you are not, you are going to struggle to find the passion and motivation that is required to see through your vision on the difficult days.
Is entrepreneurship right for you? This is the next question you need to ask yourself. There is a lot of discourse regarding whether entrepreneurs are made or born. In this case, your stance is not as critical as your capability to be truthful with yourself. Let’s say you believe entrepreneurs are made, can you see yourself being the one who calls all of the shots? If you fall into the other camp, and you think entrepreneurs are born, do you think that you are a natural-born entrepreneur? Not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur, and there is nothing wrong with that. However, it is better to realize it soon, if this is not the right path for you before you invest your time and money into the business.
What are you going to sell? The next step is to find the best product to sell. If you are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, don’t look on Google to find the answer. There are many people who have searched “the best products to sell” or “the most profitable products” on Google. However, the best approach is to sell something you care about to people you care about. Find a cause to serve that you are passionate about if you are outsourcing the products. If you are going to make the items yourself, think about what you will enjoy making and what you can realistically make the best. One common error a lot of people make when starting out is overwhelming themselves with options. Start simple and then you can always expand your offerings once you feel more comfortable.
What’s Your Competition and Market? Next, you need to do a lot of research. You need to study the market so that you have a full understanding of it and you need to see what your competition is doing. There are a number of different things that need to be considered while you are researching starting an eCommerce business. This includes your primary demographic and who you are going to be selling to. You also need to think about where this demographic can be located. Which obscure online shops and Instagram hashtags is your demographic hiding in? You also need to determine what is going to incite your demographic’s attention – what sort of things do they value? Other areas of research include figuring out your niche, whether it has any untapped potential, the big players in the market at the moment, as well as where they are going wrong and what they are getting right. You are going to be much better equipped to be a successful business owner if you understand what is around you.
Do you have a business plan? The final piece of the puzzle is to write an amazing business plan. A lot of people skip this stage because they simply don’t like writing business plans. It does not matter whether you enjoy them or not, you need to have one! So, what should be included? You need to incorporate an executive summary, as well as an operational and organisational structure, product offerings, your strategy, a financial plan, and industry and market analysis. Of course, a business plan is not going to be anything without implementation. So, if you are not following through what you have written down, things are not going to change. Therefore, it is critical to take the time to put together an effective business plan, but it is just as important to make sure that you adhere to what you have written.
Establish your brand and get going – Now that you have done all of the background work, it is time to put the wheels in motion. You will need to register your company and pick a name for your store. After this, get the relevant licenses and permits you will need and locate the correct vendors. You then need to choose the right eCommerce platform for you and look into branding and marketing. This begins with creating a logo and then delving into different online marketing solutions. If you need a logo, Fiverr is a great place to find inexpensive graphic design talent.

That gives you just about everything you need to know about creating a winning strategy for starting your eCommerce business. Now, when it comes to successfully running your eCommerce business, there’s far more to it. Especially when it comes to the all-important need to quickly and accurately fulfill on your orders.

If you’re a young company, this might not be necessary yet. But if you’re beginning to grow quickly and want to prepare, or you can feel the pressure building on inefficient systems, contact us today. Our eCommerce fulfillment experts have decades in the business and will help guide your business to success for years to come.

Image courtesy of trichardz.

January 27, 2020

Two-Day Shipping: A Required Service in 2020 eCommerce

SJoyAdmin Blog ecommerce, two day shipping

shipjoy, e-commerce, fulfillment There is no denying that customers all around the world have high expectations when it comes to eCommerce shipping. This is especially the case when you consider the rise of Amazon Prime and other online retailers. Free two day eCommerce shipping is a must nowadays–buyers have come to expect it. Read on to discover everything you need to know about how to implement two-day shipping in your business.

What is two-day shipping?

This relates to a situation whereby a customer will receive a package within two days from the time the package is shipped out. Unless the retailer has specified otherwise, consumers typically expect online retailers to ship their order out within one business day. If this is not applicable to your company, you need to make sure that this information is provided on your website. This is the standard offer provided by Amazon. And, no matter the sort of items you sell, Amazon is probably going to be your biggest competitor. If you do not offer the same shipping deal as they do, you could find yourself missing out on sales.

Statistics that have been released by Statista show that one of the main reasons why people abandon their shopping carts in the United States is because of shipping costs being too high. In fact, this is something that 63 percent of people deemed their main reason for not completing their purchase. Aside from this, 36 percent stated that the package taking too long to be delivered was the main reason they would abandon their cart.

When considering this, it is not hard to see why all eCommerce stores should be offering two-day, free shipping in order to be competitive. By doing this, you are going to abandon two of the key reasons why people abandon their shopping cart, i.e. shipping speeds being too slow and extra costs being too high.

It is also worth noting that shipping has been shown to be the prime factor with regards to consumer loyalty. You can increase your conversion rates and scale your brand by providing two day eCommerce shipping to your consumers.

What factors are used to determine shipping costs?

There are a number of different factors that impact your shipping costs. This includes the following:

International customers and duties
Shipping surcharges
Upgrades, for example, tracking numbers or shipping insurance
Carrier rates and shipping method, i.e. ground or air
Dimension weight, which is also known as the package’s volumetric weight
The distance the package is being shipped

How can I afford to offer two day shipping?

There is no denying that your operational costs are going to increase if you currently charge your customers for shipping and you move to provide it for free. This is why you need to figure out how the increased expense can be strategically offset so that your bottom line is not eroded.

The first thing you need to do is think beyond the original sticker price. It is vital to think about the increase in your conversion rate by providing free, two day shipping. See the numbers for yourself by running an A/B test. You may be shocked by how much your sales increase through this one change. Once you have done this, you will then be able to decide between the different options that are available in terms of making this new shipping offering work for your bottom line.

One solution to consider is only offering this eCommerce shipping solution to specific destinations. This is something you will determine based on where your warehouses are located. You may decide to only offer free shipping to destinations that are close to your warehouse. You may also want to offer free two-day shipping to your most popular destinations in order to encourage more sales.

Another option that you can consider is offering two-day shipping with a minimum order value. You will need to run the numbers in order to figure out how much it is going to cost you in order to offer two day shipping to your customers for free. You will then be able to figure out the minimum order value that is needed in order to offset your average shipping cost while making a profit. Moreover, you can figure out the minimum order value based on what your competitors offer or doing some market research.

There are a few other options that are available to you if you are looking for a way to strategically provide two-day shipping to your customers. This includes providing two-day shipping on certain items only, for example, you can base it on promotional marketing campaigns. In addition to this, you may want to provide this shipping solution during the major holiday seasons. You could also use this as a way of attracting email subscribers or first-time buyers, acting as an incentive to get them to do business with you.

Outsourced Fulfillment

One of the best options when it comes to eCommerce shipping fulfillment is to outsource this to another company who can ship your products within two days at an affordable rate. When you are looking for a company to provide you with this service, there are a number of different things to keep in mind. This includes the following:

Make sure the company has state-of-the-art technology to make certain your brand is making the most of cutting-edge fulfillment opportunities.
They should be able to grow your company by providing meaningful insights and value that help to guide your corporate strategy.
They should have strategic geographic locations. This will help to lower your shipping expenses and the transit time for your packages.

At ShipJoy, we fulfill all of those items and make it easy for eCommerce entrepreneurs and enterprises to achieve their goals. Contact us today to feel the joy and know exactly how we can deliver for you and your business.

January 27, 2020

How To Build Your eCommerce Order Fulfillment Strategy

SJoyAdmin Blog ecommerce, order fulfillment

ecommerce, fulfillment, online, order, shipping eCommerce businesses have a unique set of challenges to growth. In this blog post, we are going to take a look at eCommerce order fulfillment. Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about how to create a winning eCommerce fulfillment strategy.

What is eCommerce Order Fulfillment

This is the complete process of receiving, packaging, and delivering an order placed online to a consumer. Third-party order fulfillment providers (3PLs or third-party logistics companies) give online merchants the ability to outsource the fulfillment process, meaning they can focus on core company growth and not back-end activities. For online merchants to build consumer loyalty and be as competitive as possible, a successful order fulfillment strategy is a necessity.

How to create your order fulfillment strategy:

When it comes to eCommerce order fulfillment, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all. There are a number of different factors that need to be considered. This includes the following:

The size of your business and order volume – there are a number of different factors that need to be considered here. This includes how many orders you ship each month, as well as how many SKUs your company offers. You also need to try and forecast how many orders you will ship next month and next year. After all, your monthly order volume and the quantity of items you sell makes a huge difference when it comes to finding a solution that works for you. For instance, you may prefer to keep fulfillment in-house if you have a very limited number of orders. However, if your average order value is increasing and your company is growing at a quick pace, you will need to think about when is going to be the right moment to outsource order fulfillment.
Sales channels and technology – Next, you need to think about your sales channels and technology. Think about where you are selling your items online. Do you sell via a marketplace, eCommerce site, or both? What sort of eCommerce platform are you using? These considerations are important because your fulfillment strategy needs to support and complement your online sales strategy. This is particularly the case when it comes to technology. Order fulfillment software that integrates with the online marketplaces and eCommerce platform you are using, then this will enable you to manage the full process of eCommerce order fulfillment more efficiently without needing the developer to do any work. This is especially critical should you be selling across multiple channels. Technology is not there to complicate the process of order fulfillment; it is there to streamline it.
Location – The third factor you need to think about is the location of your consumer base. Are your customers spread across the country or are they centrally located in one region? What about your global consumer base? Where do you ship to? When putting together an eCommerce order fulfillment strategy, where you ship to and where you ship from are two critical factors. It is important to try and lower the number of shipping zones your typical package will travel through in order to ensure you can deliver on the expectations your customers have. This can lower both shipping times and costs, resulting in a happier consumer base.
Customization requirements – Aside from the three factors that have been discussed, you also need to consider your customization needs. Is customization a critical selling point for your business? Are your items made to order? This is important because a more hands-on approach is usually going to be required if you sell items that are extremely fragile or custom-made and specially gift wrapped.

Getting order fulfillment right at your business

It is important to understand that there are a number of different solutions when it comes to eCommerce order fulfillment. There is no right or wrong answer. It is all about assessing your company’s needs and determining what is most appropriate at this moment in time. There are three main options that entrepreneurs tend to turn to today: dropshipping, merchant fulfillment, and outsourcing to a third-party fulfillment provider.

Dropshipping – The first method we are going to take a look at, which is becoming increasingly popular today, is dropshipping. This is when the manufacturer produces, stores, and ships the inventory. This means you are not going to need to handle the products at any stage. A lot of people are opening dropshipping businesses today because there are minimal barriers to entry. It is worth noting that you will have virtually no control over the supply chain, though, so this is something that you need to consider carefully when deciding whether this is right for you.

Merchant fulfillment – The second option is merchant fulfillment. This is also known as self-fulfillment or in-house fulfillment. This is when you complete everything relating to the fulfillment process yourself – fully in-house. This is the preferred choice of most when they are first starting out in the world of eCommerce. You will have more control when you go down this route. Nevertheless, there is no denying that this becomes more and more difficult as your company grows.
Third-party fulfillment – Last but not least, we have third-party fulfillment. This is when you outsource all of your fulfillment requirements to an external business. This process can incorporate everything from returns management and order shipment to packing boxes and inventory management. If your business is growing quickly, and preparing to scale, this is the best option.

As you can see, there is a lot that needs to be considered when it comes to growing your eCommerce business and getting order fulfillment right. The vast majority of companies outsource order fulfillment today. There is no right or wrong answer though; it is all about figuring out what is going to be the most beneficial and efficient for your company at this moment in time.

At ShipJoy we love working with online merchants of different shapes and sizes, schedule a free consultation with us today so we can show you exactly how we can make a difference for your business.

January 5, 2020

eCommerce Order Fulfillment – Why You Need It and What Is It?

SJoyAdmin Blog ecommerce, fulfillment, order 0 Comments

eCommerce order fulfillment is a crucial element of your success in online retail. Your order fulfillment partner will manage the entire process from the time the customer clicks ‘buy now’ to then getting their order delivered to them. This article has the key items you need to know about for eCommerce order fulfillment.

If your eCommerce fulfillment doesn’t run on-time, every-time, your web-based business will suffer, no matter how good your products are.

Modern customers demand predictable and accurate order fulfillment. If they get this, they will leave you positive reviews and your business will thrive. As your business grows with a great fulfillment partner by your side, you will save time and money as well.

What Are The Stages of Order Fulfillment?

The first stage of your eCommerce fulfillment is receiving. Before you can fulfill orders from your online sales channels, you need inventory.

The second part is inventory storage, which is also known as warehousing and is the organization and storage of your products. Stage three is order processing, which involves the retrieval of items from where they are stored, “picking and packing,” and getting the order ready to ship.

Then the order is ready for stage four, shipping.

The final stage is returns processing, where if a customer returns an order, you must be prepared to process it.

These eCommerce fulfillment services apply to both business-to-business (B2B) orders as well as business-to-consumer (B2C) orders that are shipped directly to a person’s home.

If you want to outsource some or all of this process, eCommerce fulfillment providers can help your online retail business run seamlessly and act as an extension of your business.

A well-run fulfillment could even help you to expand your business.

If you’re seeking guidance on eCommerce order fulfillment, contact us today to discuss.

December 10, 2019

Creating Your Shipping Policy

SJoyAdmin Blog ecommerce, policy, shipping 0 Comments

Ensuring that your company has an eCommerce Shopping Policy document is a fundamental practice. It works well alongside your shipping strategy, to create efficiency and increase profitability.

The shipping policy is a compact document which highlights the relevant information around your shipping after an order is placed. It will most likely include crucial information such as the shipping costs, methods, delivery times and anything else relating to the sale.

It may be a little more comprehensive but the same information remains. You can inform you customers of the time of delivery, when they will expect their order and the shipping method, how it’s likely to arrive, which shows capability and a conscientious attitude towards your customers.

It should also include the relevant shipping costs, as this can lead to customer confusion or anger if this is not stated previously. It may include any international shipping expectations which include issues with the product, should it be broken or damaged, how it can be returned and how you can assist them with this. All of which protects your business in the long run.

This will include any restrictions to the product also, to ensure the customer is well verse with all your regulations, in case you are restricted in terms of location.

Keeping your shipping policy updated is key, depending upon your company and its regulations and how it may change over time. Often, every six months is a good time to look at renewing and updating your policy and checking all the elements still work effectively.

1 2