Making a sale is one of the exciting aspects of running an online business. However, you also want to make sure that your products will get to your customers on time. If you are looking to improve your warehousing, shipping, and fulfillment process, working with one of the leading 3rd party fulfillment companies should do the trick. Also known as Third Party Logistics (3PL) providers, these companies will help you execute, facilitate, and establish your outsourced warehouse solution that can improve your customer service and reduce your overall logistics costs.
Cost-effective and flexible
There are different ways for you to ensure that the sold goods will reach your customers correctly and promptly. One is by working with a drop shipper who can fulfill orders for you. Or you could fulfill your own orders with a team or independently. Another way is to work with 3rd party fulfillment companies, which can handle warehousing and fulfillment. That can offer a more versatile and time-saving way for you to get things done easily. You just need to make sure that you are working with the right 3PL fulfillment service.
Selecting a service provider
Not all 3rd party fulfillment companies are the same in terms of the price, quality, and reliability of their services. So you have to be discerning with your selection process. Consider these tips when looking into a warehousing and 3PL service:
Look for an established and proven company
Find a 3PL service that has more than a decade of experience in China. Their industry experience can be a good factor in determining their reliability or trustworthiness in protecting your intellectual property rights and making sure that there is a mutual and clear understanding of desired outcomes, goals, and processes. Reputable companies have a strong local market presence through strategic office locations in major manufacturing regions and with local onsite employees. They should also have a thorough understanding of the customs regulations, business culture, language, and laws in China.
Ensure seamless connectivity
Verify that the service provider has its own fulfillment center and a managed supply chain. Likewise, ensure that the two are seamlessly connected to avoid miscommunication issues, which could result in delays and incorrect orders. Moreover, they should have a large global network of options for logistics, such as freight services and outsourced solutions.
Verify their flexibility
Leading 3rd party fulfillment companies have warehouses both in China and in the US. This way, it is also possible for western-based businesses to move their supply chain around Asia. If you’re already purchasing in China, a western warehouse will enhance cost, quality, and efficiency, while enabling you to focus on sales, innovation, and marketing.
Make sure there are local resources
Consider a third-party fulfillment company that has local resources, which can help in identifying and developing solutions within a local market, help in managing your global operations, and resolve potential supply chain issues.
Check their technology
Third party fulfillment services must be backed by cutting-edge technologies, such as EDI and WMS systems to provide electronic connectivity, full visibility, reporting tools, supply chain analysis, and other solutions to you. Reputable 3rd party fulfillment companies also have technologies for process improvement and ROI measurement.