Synopsis: This article examines the role of outsourcing logistics for online retailers and looks at effective third party logistics solutions that are available today.
Ask any established online retailer what matters, and the word “fulfilment” will undoubtedly emerge. Fulfilment is the successful completion of an order and describes the process of sorting, packing and sending a consignment of goods to the customer. For the retailer, smooth completion of the purchasing process is the key to success, and as the e-commerce industry enjoys record growth, third-party logistics have developed alongside, providing several essential services.
Pick and Pack
This service is tailored for the online retailer that offers a limited selection of products, all of which are delivered to the 3PL warehouse, and with your packaging, the logistics provider will pick and pack all orders, ready for dispatch. Many 3PL providers also deliver the products to their clients, which allows the retailer to focus on other aspects of the business, while the 3PL company handles everything from checkout to delivery.
Professional Product Presentation
Using your designed packaging and labels, the logistics company would stock all of your products and would automatically process orders as they arrive. Packaging is the first thing the customer sees when receiving the product and an excellent presentation is essential, and with your specifications, the packing teamwork to a very high standard, projecting the right image.
Smooth Buying Experience
If all of your customers enjoy a trouble-free purchasing process, your business will grow, and with the right 3PL company in your corner, the only way is up. Outsourcing is by far the most cost-effective way to deliver a five-star service and let’s face it, anything less isn’t an option. The online consumer has many options, and people expect fast delivery times, which means you cannot afford any slip-ups in your logistical operation.
Geared Up For High Volume Sales
The 3PL provider would be fully set up to handle large volumes of orders, and with a state of the art warehouse management system and a team of dedicated employees, your orders are professionally processed and dispatched to global addresses. The logistics expert would have a worldwide transport network and can boast impressive delivery times, even to remote locations. Australian retailers can take advantage of affordable warehousing by TIFS, among others. 3PL providers have adequate resources to handle high volume business.
How Do I Find a Good 3PL Company?
This is the question that many online retailers ask, and with a specific Google search, you can begin with a list of websites, and after a little browsing, you should land on an established Australian logistics firm. You want a comprehensive solution from picking and packing to delivery, and a leading logistics provider would operate a state-of-the-art warehouse and have a large team of skilled people who process the orders. From the retailer’s point of view, this is an excellent service as you can tailor it to suit your needs. You might, for example, only require packing, or seasonal help with overflows, and the 3PL company can provide specific services.
With all orders professionally packed and delivered, you can focus on other aspects like sales and marketing, safe in the knowledge that your logistics are taken care of for you.