Top 10 Order Fulfillment for eBay

Top 10 Order Fulfillment for eBay

Becoming an eBay Seller

eBay is a great place to sell if you want to clear out the clutter in your house or start a business. Becoming a seller on eBay is fairly easy, registration requires you share your address so eBay can verify you live in a country they are registered to operate within. You can find the eBay country list here. If you live in one of these places, congratulations! You qualify to sell on eBay. Once you register you can complete email verification and begin listing items! When you are ready to start listing, there are a few ways to do so. You can either list an item at a specific price, or you can put the item in an auction where people can bid on the price. The highest bidder wins! Either way you list your merchandise it’s important to know eBay does not stock and ship these products, instead you will need to work with a fulfillment partner (or complete fulfillment yourself) to get products shipped to their new owner. 

Benefits of eBay Third-Party Fulfillment Outsourcing 

While eBay has hinted at the possibility of a dedicated eBay order fulfillment service, they do not have one available yet. Which means sellers must decide between fulfilling orders themselves or using another means of fulfillment. Third-party fulfillment solutions are often the answer here, and there are many benefits to using them. 

Lower Fees 

Outsourced fulfillment solutions are dedicated to logistics. They know the nuances of the industry, and they have purchased equipment, space, and staff to dedicate their time to managing the entire order processing procedure. This typically results in lower fees for you. Because they have streamlined the process and do it at a much larger volume, by many other sellers including yourself, they can get better shipping carrier rates then what you would get on your own. And as they continually streamline their technology and processes as the logistics space continually sees improvement, you benefit from those improvements and can often get access to top rated technology in the business. 

Improved Seller Ratings 

Seller rating is a big deal on eBay. It helps eBay buyers understand who they can trust to get a product to them on time and as expected. The shipping experience is a huge part of how a seller will get rated. As an outsourced fulfillment solution gets your products to your clients quickly, efficiently, and without hassle, and keeps them informed every step of the way, client ratings will go up, improving your seller rating. On top of that, your seller rating can be influenced by things like shipping times. In fact, your seller rating will actually go up when you update your shipping policy to include free shipping or express shipping. 

Hands Off Logistics

These fulfillment providers can help you come up with efficient strategies for your order and inventory management. They know the market, they have seen what works and what hasn’t, and might even have experience streamlining logistics for others in your industry. With their help you take a giant step back and trust these processes are flowing correctly. They will keep you continually informed on the efficiency and success of the process so you have peace of mind. And if any issues arise from a strategy, or perhaps you’ve outgrown your strategy, you can meet with them and adjust as needed. Which means you as an owner will have more time to market your product and expand your business. 

eBay Fulfillment Options

We all know having an excellent fulfillment strategy is key to running a profitable business. Choosing a trusted fulfillment partner to represent your company well and get your products shipped on time can be tricky. You have to find someone you trust to represent your company’s standards. It’s hard enough that many prefer to do all the fulfillment on their own for a while. But packing and shipping orders take up a huge amount of time and the cost savings of getting this time back should be considered when sourcing a fulfillment solution. Especially because if you get this set up right, you could walk away from your business for a week on vacation and everything would be taken care of for you! 

We understand fulfillment centers are highly front facing and one of the biggest reasons why clients will give you their repeat business. And there are many options available to choose from. To help navigate this, we’ve curated a list of fulfillment partners who work well with eBay and you can depend on them to help you put your best foot forward. 

ShipHero

With this option you can let go of running your own warehouse. ShipHero can take over your fulfillment processes and help you streamline them to get your product to your clients faster. And they have software which can help you get rid of manual processes, lost paperwork, and confusing fees. With their open source API they can integrate directly into your eBay store to better track and fulfill orders. Their dedicated account team will help you every step of the way and help you generate an overall logistics strategy to take your company to the next level. 

But don’t take our word for it, check out this case study

FirstMile

With domestic and international shipping rates, First Mile can get your products wherever they need to go. Their goal is to give business owners a leg up when it comes to the global economy so you can serve more across the world. They help you get quotes for the shipping situations you most commonly encounter because they understand how messy it can be to navigate the labyrinth of eCommerce. And will dedicate a customer service representative to help you with  your inventory and order management, and shipping levels across multiple locations. 

eFulfillment

This service can help eBay sellers reduce several tedious tasks including receiving, product inspection, inventory storage, and order fulfillment. They are fulfillment partners with several years of experience who help over 700 online sellers worldwide. Once inventory is in the eFulfillment warehouse they give you access to a web based fulfillment software which shows you inventory levels, orders, and shipment status. And they can help you optimize return processing as this is often a tricky part of online sales. If an order gets returned, eFulfillment alerts you of the situation so you can determine what you want to do next, whether it be restocking the order or not. They will also handle getting the corrective order to your clients. Plus they offer no minimums, no setup fees, and no long term contracts! 

Deliverr 

The goal of this fulfillment solution is to give businesses a competitive advantage. They offer Amazon-like pricing and don’t require any long term contracts. With their price calculator directly on their website they are highly transparent with costs. Account creation is fast and can be done in under two minutes. And because of the speed at which Deliverr can help you ship items, your listings may qualify for eBays Fast ‘N Free tags! This tag means your product listing becomes more prominent in search results and your product listing is included when buyers set filters for faster shipping times. 

Red Stag

With this fulfillment service, you can address your end to end logistic needs. With same-day shipping and fulfillment, inventory and order monitoring, eCommerce returns processing, and same-day fulfillment service guarantees, you are in good hands. Red Stag understands today’s eCommerce client wants their order quickly and in the best possible condition. They strive to make sure their systems are fast and efficient with delicate handling so your clients are impressed with the delivery experience. They also have a warehouse management software (WMS) which gives complete visibility and can help with reporting on what products move and what don’t so you can adjust your inventory accordingly. 

APS Fulfillment

With their warehouse management software (WMS) you can connect your eBay store directly in with your warehouse so you can automate the order handling process. With APS there are no monthly order minimum requirements. And they don’t limit the size, weight, or shape of the products you ship through them. They receive your inventory, do a quality control inspection, then shelve your product. Once an order is processed they pick, pack, and ship the order as well as assign it a tracking number so you and your client will have the ability to track it. And you gain 24-hour access to submit support tickets for any questions about the WMS or fulfillment process. 

Cahoot

With Cahoot you gain access to a quick setup to connect your eBay store and delineate your inventory to different Cahoot fulfillment warehouse locations. Once connected your company will receive automatic order routing and fulfillment, free and fast shipping options, a nationwide shipping network, and visibility into each delivery. Order volume is flexible so you can start small with Cahoot and grow with them as your products rise in popularity. And as your client base grows they can help you put your product in fulfillment warehouse locations nearest to them. They want to help you level the playing field against marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart who create high shipping expectations with fast and free shipping options for their clients.

Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment

With the power of Amazon behind you, this solution will keep up with the rise and fall of your business orders. They can scale up for you without increasing your fixed costs. And you get the benefit of Amazon’s delivery speeds so you can get their product out in as little as one day. You don’t even need to list your product on Amazon to gain these benefits, they will work with several different eCommerce stores and channels, including eBay. As a part of the check out process your client will see reliable delivery dates and email insights on when they should expect their order. Plus, Amazon MFC will automate the inventory placement for your products so they are placed closer to your client locations. 

Ecomdash

With Ecomdash you gain access to an inventory management platform which helps you fulfill orders and manage your online sales together in one application. This is a good solution if you are a small to mid-sized multi-channel retailer and Ecomdash proudly supports eCommerce sellers. They can also help you with both dropshipping and distribution management of your product. Plus they give you a complete view of your inventory, sales, and back stock so you can make highly informed logistical decisions. And they are ready to support you in a moment’s notice with live chat, phone, email, and community boards. 

Thill Inc

With Thill, you get order, inventory, and shipment services integrated directly into your eBay store. They offer a “plug and play” fulfillment solution for eBay sellers so you can experience the expertise of a company who has provided fulfillment to companies for 50 years! They make sure you have order tracking capabilities so your clients know exactly when orders will arrive and can give you email confirmations when an order is delivered. They understand order fulfillment is an art and want to provide business owners with a highly tailored service offering with flexible solutions. And their 24/7 support center makes sure any issue is addressed in a timely and helpful manner. 

Conclusion

No matter how you start on eBay, as your products grow in popularity you will likely need a third-party fulfillment solution to help you handle the volume. Especially as your business grows and will require more of your attention. The above options are dedicated to helping their clients provide a high quality experience and allow you as a business owner to take more time back in your day. What’s especially helpful is they have high class experience in the logistics industry so you can lean on them for expertise in how best to situate your fulfillment network to better serve your clients. And together, you can take your business to new heights! 

To find out how ShipHero can bring your eBay fulfillment to the next level, contact our sales team today.

Don’t work with eBay? Find the best carriers for many of the highest profile marketplaces on the web.

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Top 10 Best Order Fulfillment Partners for Walmart

Top 10 Best Order Fulfillment Partners for Walmart

As one of the largest retailers in the world, Walmart provides a great online marketplace platform for eCommerce business owners. Walmart Marketplace lets you sell products to an audience of millions – no setup or monthly fees necessary.

That said, you still need a good fulfillment partner to unlock the true potential of your business. Read on to learn more about the best order fulfillment partners for Walmart.

What is Walmart?

Walmart is a United States retail company that runs hypermarkets, department stores and grocery stores. It boasts over 10,000 stores in 24 countries and is the world’s largest company by revenue according to 2022’s Fortune Global 500 list.

Walmart sells just about anything you can imagine, such as groceries, food items, electronics, apparel, toys and so much more. It also provides an online platform for eCommerce businesses called Walmart Marketplace. Like eBay and Amazon, Walmart Marketplace allows third-party sellers to offer their items on the retail giant’s website to reach millions of people.

What is Order Fulfillment?

Order fulfillment is a process where an eCommerce seller receives a customer order, processes it according to the customer’s wishes and delivers the product to the customer. Order fulfillment is the most basic process in eCommerce because it’s how you get products to customers.

While it seems simple, you shouldn’t underestimate the importance of order fulfillment. If your order fulfillment process is slow and inaccurate, customer satisfaction and sales will drop.

Generally, order fulfillment is a five-step process:

  • Inventory receiving: You receive products from production facilities or distributors at the warehouse.
  • Inventory storing: Your warehouse crew stores the products in the appropriate spots.
  • Order processing: After receiving a customer order, your warehouse crew picks and packs the products to prepare them for shipping.
  • Order shipping: Once the products are picked and packed, your warehouse crew passes them to shipping carriers for delivery to the customer.
  • Return handling: If the item is damaged or doesn’t fulfill customer expectations, they may return it. Your warehouse is responsible for receiving the items, assessing the issue and returning the replacement item.

How Does the Walmart Fulfillment Process Work?

Walmart’s in-house fulfillment process through Walmart Fulfillment Service (WFS) works like most 3PL companies. Here’s how you can fulfill customer orders through WFS as a third-party seller:

  • Create an account in the WFS portal.
  • Mark your items for fulfillment by Walmart.
  • Send your products to the designated Walmart fulfillment center.
  • Let the Walmart Fulfillment Service crew pick, pack and send the items to delivery drivers according to shipment requests.
  • Leave Walmart’s team to manage returns and provide customer service.

Based on the process flow above, you don’t have to do much beyond sending your products to the fulfillment center. Once your items are there, the WFS crew takes over everything until the products arrive at the customer’s door and all complaints are resolved.

What Does a Walmart Order Fulfillment Provider Do?

A Walmart order fulfillment provider takes control of the entire process on your behalf. eCommerce businesses usually work with third-party order fulfillment providers when they can’t handle orders in-house or want to scale their companies beyond current capabilities.

What Are the Benefits of Using a Walmart Order Fulfillment Service?

The benefits of using a Walmart order fulfillment service include cost savings, extra storage space and expert insight. Here’s a detailed look at the benefits of working with 3PL companies:

Warehousing Support

eCommerce third-party logistics companies operate warehouses and fulfillment centers for their clients. Because you’re using the 3PL company’s warehouse, you don’t have to worry about running out of space.

Lower Carrier Shipping Charges

Order fulfillment services get lower carrier shipping charges because they ship large volumes of items daily. When 3PLs get lower carrier fees, they often pass the savings to clients, reducing your overall shipping costs.

Expert Support

Most 3PL companies have years, if not decades, of experience in order fulfillment. Working with them means they can help you identify and solve any fulfillment issues.

Time and Labor Savings

In-house order fulfillment takes a lot of time and effort. Outsourcing fulfillment lets you reassign warehouse staff to other tasks that directly contribute to eCommerce business growth.

Take a look at ShipHero’s order fulfillment services today and see if we can fulfill your  eCommerce shipping needs.

Factors to Consider While Selecting an Order Fulfillment Partner for Walmart

Choosing the right order fulfillment partner is essential to getting the most out of their expertise. Here are four things to consider when choosing your next 3PL partner:

Order Fulfillment Speed

Speed is one of the most essential factors in choosing the best order fulfillment partner. Customers and clients want faster fulfillment times and won’t settle for anything less. Ensure the 3PL company you choose supports two-day and same-day shipping to most, if not all, of your customer base.

Storage and Fulfillment Fees

Storage and fulfillment fees are important for any business, but they become even more essential when you sell in large volumes. Pick a fulfillment company offering lower storage and fulfillment fees if you’re planning to sell many products.

Pricing

Fulfillment companies charge monthly subscriptions and annual fees, but sometimes you must pay other costs as well. Ask about extra fees and ensure there are no hidden expenses before you start working with them.

The cheapest fulfillment companies aren’t necessarily the best option because they may cut corners or provide subpar service. Instead, choose a company with reasonable prices and services that fit your needs without sacrificing quality.

Returns Management

Easy and convenient product returns are essential to retaining customers. Choose a fulfillment company that knows how to handle returns and communicates with customers professionally.

What to Look For in a Walmart Fulfillment Partner

The best Walmart fulfillment partner should cater to all your order processing needs. Here are three things that a good Walmart fulfillment partner should have:

eCommerce Platform Integration

If you don’t sell exclusively on Walmart Marketplace, eCommerce platform integration is essential to capturing orders from multiple places.

Some major eCommerce platforms that fulfillment partners should cover include eBay, Amazon, Squarespace, BigCommerce, Wix and Square.

Multichannel Integration

Multichannel integration is when your fulfillment partner uses one warehouse to process orders from multiple storefronts or sales channels. A fulfillment company that receives orders from multiple storefronts saves both time and money while ensuring that you don’t miss any orders.

Ease of Use

Most order fulfillment companies grant you access to software to help you manage inventory and warehousing. Find a fulfillment company with simple and easy-to-learn software so your team can understand it quickly and minimize downtime.

How We Chose the Best Walmart Fulfillment Companies

There are many companies offering order fulfillment, so choosing one is challenging. Luckily, we’re here to help you do just that. Here are five criteria we used to create this list of best Walmart fulfillment companies:

  • Shipping speed
  • Fulfillment network
  • Software features
  • Returns management and customer service
  • Subscription, storage and carrier charges

 

Best Walmart Fulfillment Companies

With the criteria above in mind, here are the best Walmart fulfillment companies today:

1. ShipHero

ShipHero boasts high-accuracy order fulfillment and lightning-fast shipping at affordable costs. We offer flat-rate fees for all our clients without any hidden costs. You don’t have to worry about distributing your inventory either because ShipHero distributes your products to eight fulfillment centers across North America.

Pros

  • Eight fulfillment centers across the United States and Canada
  • Integration with major eCommerce and marketplace platforms
  • Real-time inventory and warehouse management systems

Cons

  • Limited shipping label customization
  • Additional costs for international shipping
  • Minimum 500 orders per month threshold

Pricing

ShipHero offers single-rate prices for clients across the lower 48 states with no hidden fees. Check our pricing page to get your custom order fulfillment pricing.

Get your custom order fulfillment quote from ShipHero today!

2. ShipBob

ShipBob boasts over 30 fulfillment centers across six countries to ensure your products get to customers on time, no matter where they are. It also provides a free analytic tool to monitor your supply chain efficiency.

Pros

  • Affordable two-day shipping rates
  • Web-based fulfillment dashboard
  • Multichannel support

Cons

  • Complicated online store integration
  • Occasionally slow customer support

Pricing

ShipBob has an online calculator to estimate order fulfillment prices. Request a quote for more detailed pricing information.

3. ShipHype

One of ShipHype’s greatest advantages is its same-day shipping services to select locations. For everywhere else, it offers two-day and next-day shipping from its five regional distribution centers.

Pros

  • 99% order accuracy
  • High SKU (stock-keeping unit) limits
  • Dedicated account manager per client

Cons

  • Occasional invoice discrepancies
  • Prices may fluctuate

Pricing

ShipHype offers no-contract fulfillment service pricing, and you can get a quote on its website.

4. Rakuten Super Logistics

Rakuten Super Logistics (now ShipNetwork) promises fast delivery with 100% accuracy. With fulfillment centers across the United States, it promises to deliver your products within two days via ground shipping.

Pros

  • Simple fulfillment application process
  • eCommerce platform integrations
  • Efficient returns management

Cons

  • Requires minimum orders
  • Lost inventory issues

Pricing

Rakuten/ShipNetwork offers customized pricing. Contact a representative to get a quote.

5. Simpl Fulfillment

Simpl Fulfillment is a 3PL company that offers weight-based flat-fee fulfillment, ensuring cost transparency. It can also integrate with over 50 marketplaces, shopping carts and other platforms.

Pros

  • 24/7 client support
  • Free 3PL consultations

Cons

  • Only one warehouse

Pricing

Simpl Fulfillment’s services start at $6/order. For detailed pricing, request a quote.

Outsource order fulfillment to ShipHero today!

6. ShipMonk

ShipMonk is an all-in 3PL company offering order management, warehouse management, purchase tracking and other services to make the fulfillment process easier.

Pros

  • Real-time inventory tracking
  • Fulfillment centers in North America and Europe
  • Multi-channel client support

Cons

  • Hidden fees in the fine print
  • No temperature control for frozen items

Pricing

ShipMonk offers an online calculator to determine your fulfillment pricing. For detailed quotes, contact a sales representative.

7. Easyship

Easyship works with numerous international carriers to help you sell worldwide. Easyship can offer up to 91% off on carrier charges thanks to its many working relationships.

Pros

  • No-code eCommerce integrations
  • Global fulfillment center network
  • Branded tracking pages and shipping labels

Cons

  • Spotty client support
  • Complicated refunding flow 

Pricing

Easyship offers a free fulfillment plan for up to 50 shipments monthly. Paid plans start at $29/month.

8. Shipwire

Boasting over 30 warehouses worldwide, Shipwire helps your company sell and deliver products to millions of people. 

Pros

  • Numerous eCommerce integrations
  • B2B and B2C eCommerce support
  • Shipping rate optimization

Cons

  • Inconsistent client service quality
  • High rates

Pricing

Shipwire doesn’t list its pricing information publicly. Contact a sales representative to ask for quotes.

9. Red Stag Fulfillment

Red Stag takes a cloud-based approach to fulfillment in helping B2C and B2B eCommerce businesses deliver their products.

Pros

  • 100% inventory and order accuracy guarantees
  • Guaranteed same-day fulfillments
  • No-commitment services

Cons

  • Limited fulfillment center presence
  • Relatively high pick-and-pack costs

Pricing

Red Stag offers a 30-day free trial. After the trial, you can contact a Red Stag representative to get a quote.

10. Fulfillify

Fulfillify handles order fulfillment for eCommerce businesses of all sizes to ensure they can deliver products on time. With its four warehouses, Fulfillify can deliver products to almost the entire United States within one or two days.

Pros

  • Multiple eCommerce integrations
  • Real-time inventory tracking
  • Mobile-focused fulfillment platform

Cons

  • No global fulfillment center presence
  • Pricing

Fulfillify doesn’t list its prices publicly. You can complete the contact form on its website to request a quote.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right order fulfillment partner for Walmart Marketplace lets you deliver all customer orders without delay. With a great third-party logistics partner and Walmart Marketplace’s huge audience, you can potentially sell products to millions of people and grow your eCommerce business.

Don’t work with Walmart? Find the best carriers for many of the highest profile marketplaces on the web.

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Order Fulfillment for Walmart FAQs

What is order fulfillment at Walmart?

Order fulfillment at Walmart is a service provided by WFS for eCommerce sellers on the Walmart Marketplace platform. WFS works like many other third-party logistics services, where Walmart’s team takes charge of your entire order fulfillment process.

How does Walmart Fulfillment Services work?

Walmart Fulfillment Services works by taking care of your entire order process, from receiving items at the warehouse to delivering them to customers. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the WFS process:

  • Create an account on the WFS website.
  • Mark your marketplace products as Fulfilled by Walmart.
  • Send your products to a Walmart warehouse.
  • The WFS crew picks, packs and delivers customer orders.
  • The WFS crew handles returns and provides customer service.

How much are Walmart’s fulfillment fees?

Walmart’s fulfillment fees start from $0.75/month for each cubic foot of storage. Carrier shipping charges start from $3.45 for a 1-lb. product.

Top 10 Best Order Fulfillment for Amazon

Top 10 Best Order Fulfillment for Amazon

Amazon isn’t called “The Everything Store” for nothing. While it started as an online bookstore, Amazon has since become the largest online retailer in the world, selling almost every kind of good imaginable. As an eCommerce business owner, you’d be remiss if you didn’t use Amazon as one of your sales channels.

All that said, a great order fulfillment partner is essential to achieving your company’s true potential on Amazon. While Amazon’s in-house Fulfillment By Amazon (FBA) is a viable option, you may want to look for alternatives before making a choice.

Read on for a list of the best order fulfillment partners for Amazon sellers!

What is Amazon?

Amazon is a major technology company that provides eCommerce, media streaming, cloud computing and other services worldwide. One of its most well-known services is Amazon.com, an eCommerce platform that sells all kinds of products.

A large portion of Amazon’s sales come from third-party sellers who sell their products on the site. Many people sell on the platform in addition to their own platforms because Amazon has a wide worldwide audience, increasing the chances of people noticing and buying their products.

Third-party Amazon sellers can qualify for the Prime program, which gives them extra benefits. Prime seller status means you’re a reliable seller who delivers high-quality products on time. With Prime, people are likely to buy your products because Amazon endorses you.

What is Order Fulfillment?

Order fulfillment is the process of taking a customer’s order, processing it according to their specifications and delivering the goods to the customer. Good order fulfillment is essential for an eCommerce business because it’s how you get products to customers.

In most cases, order fulfillment is a five-step process:

  • Inventory receiving: You receive items from distributors or production facilities.
  • Inventory receiving: You store the products in a storage facility, typically a warehouse.
  • Order processing: After a customer puts an order in, you take the product off the shelf and prepare it for shipping.
  • Order shipping: Once your product is picked and packed, you hand them off to a shipping carrier for delivery.
  • Customer return handling: If the customer receives a damaged product, they may request a return. You’re responsible for receiving the returned item, identifying what went wrong, answering customer inquiries and sending a replacement item back.

How Does the Amazon Fulfillment Process Work?

The Amazon fulfillment process through FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) works by taking over order fulfillment from your company. Essentially, you’re outsourcing order fulfillment to the FBA team to save on the time and effort of doing it yourself.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to fulfilling your orders through FBA:

  • Create an Amazon seller account.
  • Sign up for FBA.
  • List products for Fulfillment by Amazon.
  • Prepare your products according to Amazon’s packing and shipping guidelines.
  • Apply Amazon shipment ID labels to your packages.
  • Send them to the designated Amazon fulfillment center.

Once Amazon receives your products, the warehouse crew will handle all order fulfillment duties for you. When a customer makes an order, you can sit back and rest assured knowing your products are in good hands.

What Does an Amazon Order Fulfillment Provider Do?

An Amazon order fulfillment provider processes customer orders on your behalf. Most eCommerce businesses outsource order fulfillment to third-party logistics (3PL) companies because they can’t handle orders in-house anymore.

What Are the Benefits of Using an Amazon Order Fulfillment Service?

The main benefits of using Amazon order fulfillment services are extra storage space and reduced costs. Here’s a closer look at what you get by working with fulfillment partners:

Increased Focus on Business

Outsourcing order fulfillment means taking a sizable burden off your shoulders. Instead of hiring or assigning people to fulfill orders, you can have them help in other ways that directly support business growth.

Cost Savings

Order fulfillment companies offer storage space, so you don’t have to operate your own warehouse. Generally, third-party logistics costs will be cheaper than renting warehouse space, paying utility bills and hiring staff.

Extended Reach

Some 3PL companies have an international network of warehouses, making shipping products to other countries easier. While you can ship internationally with in-house order fulfillment, calculating shipping rates and times is a pain. With the help of a 3PL company, you can ship products to international customers easily and affordably.

Improved Scalability

With in-house shipping, you might need to purchase new storage space or build a new warehouse if you want to sell more products. Unfortunately, both options are usually expensive and time-consuming. If you work with an order fulfillment partner, however, you can just pay extra inventory storage fees – allowing your eCommerce business to sell more products.

Fulfill your eCommerce shipping needs today with ShipHero’s order fulfillment services!

Factors to Consider While Selecting an Order Fulfillment Partner for Amazon

Before choosing an order fulfillment partner, you must know what you need out of them. Consider these four things before starting your search for a fulfillment partner:

Order Fulfillment Speed

Thanks to Amazon, today’s customers and clients expect one-day or two-day shipping for everything they buy. Because they won’t settle for longer delivery times, you must pick an order fulfillment partner that provides quick fulfillment and delivery times to most of your customers.

Storage and Fulfillment Fees

Storage and fulfillment fees become increasingly important as your product stock grows. Choosing a fulfillment company with lower per-item storage fees can help you save a lot of money in the future. If you sell slow-moving products, you may also want to consider long-term storage fees.

Pricing

Your fulfillment partner may use subscription or volume-based pricing. Choose the pricing model that best fits your needs, and ask about extra fees so you won’t be surprised by additional costs down the line.

Picking the cheapest fulfillment company doesn’t automatically mean you save money – you might pay in lost sales or reputation damage due to subpar service. Research the available options and pick a fulfillment company that fits your needs without sacrificing quality.

Returns Management

A painless product return process increases the likelihood of repeat customers. Pick a fulfillment partner with excellent product returns management and professional customer service.

What to Look For in an Amazon Fulfillment Partner

Working with an order fulfillment company is generally a long-term commitment, so you must choose the right one. Here are three things you should ask about before picking your 3PL partner:

eCommerce Platform Integration

While Amazon is one of the largest eCommerce marketplaces in the world, you may want to sell on other platforms. Fortunately, many order fulfillment partners can capture orders from multiple eCommerce platforms.

Some prominent eCommerce platforms your fulfillment partner should support include Walmart, BigCommerce, Square, Wix, eBay and WooCommerce.

Multichannel Integration

Multichannel order fulfillment means a 3PL company uses one warehouse to take orders from all your online storefronts. You can save a lot of money by processing orders from multiple platforms in one place, making multichannel integration essential when picking fulfillment partners.

Ease of Use

Most order fulfillment companies provide dashboards to manage your inventory and warehousing operations. Finding a fulfillment company with easy-to-learn software is a good idea to minimize the time spent training employees.

How We Chose the Best Amazon Fulfillment Companies

With dozens of order fulfillment companies on the market, choosing just one is hard. Luckily, we made the process easier for you. Here are the criteria we used to choose the best Amazon fulfillment companies in this article:

  • Order processing speed
  • Fulfillment center network
  • Fulfillment software features
  • Returns management and client support
  • Subscription, storage and shipping costs

Best Amazon Fulfillment Companies

Without further ado, here are the best Amazon fulfillment companies you can work with today:

1. ShipHero

ShipHero is an order fulfillment company offering near-perfect shipping accuracy and quick delivery times. Moreover, we offer transparent flat fees without hidden costs whatsoever. When you work with ShipHero, you’ll get world-class end-to-end fulfillment services at a reasonable price.

Pros

  • Wide fulfillment network across North America
  • Integration with various eCommerce channels
  • Real-time inventory management dashboard

Cons

  • Occasional lack of shipping transparency
  • Higher international cost of shipping

Pricing

ShipHero offers single-rate prices with no hidden fees for clients in the lower 48 states. Visit our pricing page to get a quote right now.

Check out ShipHero’s order fulfillment solutions today!

2. Fulfillrite

With over 16 million orders shipped and 1,600 clients served, Fulfillrite has a wealth of fulfillment experience. Fulfillrite’s eCommerce fulfillment services pair you with a logistics expert who can troubleshoot and improve your fulfillment process.

Pros

  • eCommerce platform integrations
  • Discounted shipping rates
  • Specialized Amazon FBA prep

Cons

  • May not be right for large businesses
  • Relatively low SKU (stock-keeping unit) limits

Pricing

Fulfillrite doesn’t post its pricing information publicly. You can get a quote by requesting one from a sales representative.

3. Xpert Fulfillment

If you ship lots of similar products, Xpert Fulfillment is for you. It offers fulfillment rates as low as $4/order for clients who ship over 2,000 orders monthly but only have 10 SKUs. 

Pros

  • Integrates with eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce
  • Zero setup and receiving fees
  • 100,000 square feet of storage space

Cons

  • No information on fulfillment center locations

Pricing

Aside from the special rates, Xpert Fulfillment doesn’t post any pricing information. Contact a sales representative to get a quote.

4. Fulfillment by Sears

Powered by eSellerHub, Fulfillment by Sears helps you process eCommerce orders at affordable rates.

Pros

  • Pay-what-you-use pricing model
  • No minimum volume requirements
  • Full control of pricing and inventory

Cons

  • Relatively high price

Pricing

Fulfillment by Sears doesn’t post its rates publicly. Contact an eSellerHub representative for pricing details.

5. Ships-a-Lot

Ships-a-Lot promises to fulfill orders on the same day they come in with perfect accuracy. It also provides unlimited client support, so you can contact them to solve issues anytime.

Pros

  • Integrations with Shopify
  • Extreme focus on a small number of clients

Cons

  • Strict client requirements

Pricing

Ships-a-Lot doesn’t post its prices publicly. Send a quote request through its website for pricing information.

Check out ShipHero today for fast and affordable order fulfillment!

6. ShipBob

ShipBob operates over 30 warehouses worldwide to guarantee your products arrive on time, no matter where the customers are. Even with this international reach, ShipBob offers affordable two-day shipping rates.

Pros

  • Robust reporting and analytics tools
  • Real-time inventory management dashboard

Cons

  • Slow customer support
  • Complicated eCommerce integration

Pricing

You can use ShipBob’s online calculator to estimate fulfillment prices. Request a quote for more detailed pricing information.

7. IDS Fulfillment

IDS Fulfillment doesn’t just give you cookie-cutter order fulfillment services. Its team will communicate with you to determine your company’s best fulfillment and warehousing solution.

Pros

  • Climate-controlled warehouse space
  • Three fulfillment centers covering 92% of the United States

Cons

  • No international presence

Pricing

Contact an IDS representative for a free consultation and price quote.

8. Fulfillify

Fulfillify operates four warehouses to ensure two-day shipping to almost the entire United States. 

Pros

  • 350,000 square feet of warehouse space
  • Real-time inventory management dashboard
  • Mobile-based fulfillment software

Cons

  • No global fulfillment centers

Pricing

There’s no public pricing information on Fulfillify’s website. Complete a contact form to request a quote.

9. Rakuten Super Logistics

Now known as ShipNetwork, the former Rakuten Super Logistics offers one-day fulfillment services with 100% accuracy. With 12 fulfillment centers across the United States, it can ship within one or two business days for 98% of the country.

Pros

  • Easy application process
  • Dedicated U.S.-based client service
  • Robust returns management

Cons

  • Minimum order requirement
  • Issues with lost inventory

Pricing

Rakuten/ShipNetwork uses a custom pricing model. Contact a sales representative to get a quote.

10. Simpl Fulfillment

Simpl Fulfillment syncs with over 50 eCommerce platforms, meaning you can open your stores just about anywhere on the Internet. It also offers a weight-based pricing model that ensures cost transparency.

Pros

  • Always-available client support
  • Free fulfillment consultations

Cons

  • Only one warehouse location

Pricing

Simple Fulfillment’s services start at $6/order. You can request a quote for more detailed prices.

Final Thoughts

While Amazon has its own in-house fulfillment service, it doesn’t hurt to look into other options. With the right third-party fulfillment partner, you can unlock Amazon’s true potential and sell to millions of people around the globe. 

Don’t work with Amazon? Find the best carriers for many of the highest profile marketplaces on the web.

Top 10 Best Order Fulfillment Partners for Walmart

Top 10 Order Fulfillment for eBay

Top 10 Best Order Fulfillment Options for Wix

Top 6 Best Order Fulfillment Options for Square

Top 10 Best Order Fulfillment Partners for ChannelAdvisor

Top 6 Best Order Fulfillment Partners for WooCommerce

Top 10 Best Order Fulfillment Options for BigCommerce

Top 10 Best Order Fulfillment Options for Squarespace

Top 10 Best Order Fulfillment Options for eCommerce Sellers

Order Fulfillment for Amazon FAQs

How do I make an Amazon fulfillment order?

You can make an Amazon fulfillment order by following these steps:

  • Find the product you want to ship on your inventory page
  • Click “Create Fulfillment Order”.
  • Complete the customer details form.
  • Confirm the information you put in.
  • Place the order.

Sellers usually make these fulfillment orders to sell a product stored at an Amazon warehouse to a customer from another eCommerce platform.

Can you start with Amazon FBA with no money?

You can start with Amazon FBA with no money because Amazon charges fulfillment fees for every product sold. You don’t need to pay startup costs – just ship the items to an Amazon warehouse to start making money.

How much can I make with Amazon FBA?

Most Amazon FBA sellers can make $1,000 to $25,000 monthly. You can earn up to $250,000 per month if you’re exceptionally successful. Naturally, how much you earn depends on the products you sell, how you manage customer expectations and how fast you ship orders.

Winter is Coming: Optimizing Your Warehouse for Returns

Winter is Coming: Optimizing Your Warehouse for Returns

The realities of the COVID-19 pandemic mean that more people are taking advantage of eCommerce than ever before to avoid hitting the stores. Unfortunately, a rise in online shopping tends to result in a corresponding jump in returns. According to a survey by the National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail, the average online returns rate last year was 20.8 percent – that represents a 2 percent increase over the previous year. 

While returns are a fact of life in the eCommerce world, having the right returns management system can make a significant difference when it comes to your company’s reputation and profitability. Not only can an inefficient returns process in your warehouse damage customer relations, but it can also result in extra work for your staff and affect your bottom line. As winter and the holiday season approach, discover how ShipHero can help optimize your warehouse for returns. 

What Is a Warehouse Return Process?

Returns management is a crucial part of any warehouse system. Whereas traditional logistics refers to the process of delivering products to your clients, reverse logistics involves transporting goods from clients back to their point of origin. At this point, previously purchased inventory can be resold, refurbished, or in some cases trashed or recycled. Not only does optimizing the returns process in your warehouse allow you to retain value, but it also provides valuable insight into which items are being sent back regularly and why. 

How Do You Optimize Warehouse Operations?

Whether you handle returns management internally or outsource this job to a third party, optimizing warehouse operations is crucial to maintaining your customer base and your bottom line. Here are some tips for improving your system before the holiday season.

Identify Why Customers Are Returning Your Products

When assessing the returns process in your warehouse, one of the first steps is quantifying why goods are coming back to you. Businesses can cut costs by addressing some of the main issues, such as product quality, shipping damages, sizing confusion, and items not arriving as pictured online. Correcting some of these problems can save your company money while also improving your reputation with customers. 

Consider Automating Your Warehouse

Of course, not all returns are controllable. However, automating warehouse processes can go a long way toward cutting costs while also improving efficiency. By utilizing new technologies like automated order picking and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), companies can streamline putaway processes and restock popular items faster. As a bonus, these systems help improve accuracy and cut down on in-aisle traffic while freeing team members up to focus on tasks requiring a human touch. 

Look at Your Logistics

Busy modern companies may struggle to handle all their logistics in house. If returns are overwhelming your business, it may be time to consider using a warehouse management system like the one available through ShipHero. Along with providing insight into which products are being returned and why, the software allows for easy integration with eCommerce platforms and vendors. As a bonus, businesses enjoy access to the most up-to-the-minute shipping rates from major carriers, so they don’t pay more getting returns out the door. 

When it comes to returns management, today’s businesses have a lot on their plates. The fact is that every returned good has an impact on your bottom line. Over time, businesses that don’t find ways to optimize warehouse returns through technology and automation may find themselves raising prices to combat the lost income. By reducing unnecessary returns and repackaging items for resale as quickly as possible, companies can keep profits high while ensuring their online reputation stays positive. 

Talk to our software experts today and learn more about how our warehouse software is built for eCommerce brands to optimize their warehouse and Returns management.

Aaron Rubin, Founder & CEO

ShipHero 

About the author:  Aaron Rubin is the Founder & CEO of ShipHero. He is responsible for planning and executing the overall vision and strategy of the organization. Rubin’s greatest strengths are leadership, change management, strategic planning and a passion for progression. He is known for having his finger on the pulse of ShipHero’s major initiatives, his entrepreneurial spirit, and keen business acumen. His leadership of ShipHero is grounded in providing excellent customer service that drives improved business operations. His passion for ShipHero comes from the culture and his ability to have an impact on the lives of employees, customers, partners, and investors.

Follow Aaron on Twitter & LinkedIn.

Objects! Podcast: Season One Recap

Objects! Podcast: Season One Recap

The Entrepreneurs We’ve Talked To This Season

It’s hard to believe that our little podcast, Objects! With ShipHero, has reached its season finale already. But what a season it’s been! From laughter to tears, we’ve navigated the ups and downs of being an entrepreneur with the help of ten inspiring guests who have launched successful products in the eCommerce industry. We feel grateful to have been able to share our guests’ journeys and learn from their experiences—cheers to all our fellow entrepreneurs out there crushing it every day. Keep launching, keep learning, and keep growing. 

Which podcast episode was your favorite? Which one inspired you? Let’s recap on a very successful season one and the fabulous guests we had along the way!

Episode 1: WiFi Thermometers and Hygrometers

Digital sensors. Who knew? Not these guys, until they discovered a way to make and sell digital sensors that measure humidity, temperature, and other environmental conditions. It turns out there are all sorts of people and businesses who need these sensors. So the entrepreneurs turned their creative consultancy into a thriving business, making and selling digital sensors to everyone from individuals to major corporations. What started as a simple idea has turned into something pretty amazing. Become a fan of SensorPush by listening to our podcast.

Episode 2: B Side: Sensor Push

If you’re feeling lost or adrift, take a page from Nick and Jonathan’s book and start selling something. It can be anything from your consultant skills or your story. The important thing is that you get started somewhere, and the rest will follow. Check out our interview with Nick and Jonathan from SensorPush to hear more about their entrepreneurial journey.

Episode 3: EDC Knives & Climate Friendly 3PLs

If you’re curious about the world of EDC, listen to our podcast with special guest Yong-Soo Chung. In this episode, you’ll learn about the community’s origins and what motivates people to seek out the best-made versions of unremarkable items. You’ll also hear hilarious stories about knives (you might even want to start carrying one yourself). Who knows? Maybe after listening to this episode, you’ll be inspired to launch your own online store for everyday carry enthusiasts.

Episode 4: D2C Jewelry Brand

Stefanie Taylor is the perfect example of a leader who knows how to read her market and adapt. She’s taken her 3rd generation retail jewelry company from $3M annual revenue to over $20M by being bold and pivoting her business model when necessary. If you want to learn more about being a successful entrepreneur, listen to our podcast with Stefanie herself. 

Episode 5: Healthcare Fashion

If you’re in the market for a good cry, listen to our podcast with special guest Chat Razdan. The founder of a healthcare fashion brand, Razdan, is radically changing how hospital gowns and other medical devices look and feel. He founded his company without any experience in healthcare OR fashion, proving that anyone can make an impact in this industry. So pull up a chair, grab some tissues, and enjoy the story of one man’s mission to make healthcare more comfortable for everyone.

Episode 6: B Side: Urban EDC

The world is a big place, but it can be even bigger if you’re willing to explore. I think that’s what our guest today was trying to say when he told us how far his journey has taken him – from Wall Street right into coding school and then onto taking tests selling headphones on Amazon! Listen up because this podcast could give insight to anyone who doesn’t know where their passions lie or how they should use them as an income source with a special guest: Yong-Soo Chung.

Episode 7: Adult Toys (and MORE)

As a self-taught entrepreneur, Anna Dee quickly learned that the best way to succeed was to dive in and figure things out as they came. Starting with handmade items on Etsy, she soon expanded her offerings and developed her website for her now wildly popular dildo business. That little venture turned into five successful companies, including a warehouse, online store, and community, where she teaches others about entrepreneurship and maintaining a positive mindset. Be sure to listen to this fun podcast about extraordinary and unique products. 

Episode 8: Antimicrobial Copper Phone Cases

Say hello to Nick O’Brien, the quintessential entrepreneur who didn’t let a global pandemic stop him from achieving his dreams. He co-founded a phone case company in quarantine and navigated the challenges of setting up a Shopify site and finding a manufacturing partner. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, his company even got featured on Good Morning America! How did he do it? Get ready to take some notes from this podcast and turn your quarantine ideas into a real business. 

Episode 9: African-Inspired Fashion

Meet Chioma and Uchenna, the entrepreneurial sisters behind the booming African-inspired fashion brand Cee Cee’s Closet NYC. From humble beginnings selling their wares at pop-up shops to being featured on NYC billboards, these ladies know how to make a splash in the business world. So how do they turn social media content into brand loyalty? It’s all about authenticity and connecting with their audience on a personal level. The sisters share key lessons learned during their journey, like the importance of taking risks and staying true to your mission. 

Episode 10: Vegan Cookie Dough

Erica Rankin is the mastermind behind Brodough, a vegan cookie dough company taking over Canada with its delicious and healthier-for-you treats. What started as a mere idea in Erica’s head blossomed into a full-fledged business, despite her lack of prior entrepreneurial experience. In this interview, we get to hear about Erica’s journey and learn some valuable tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. So if you’re looking for some culinary inspiration or just want to hear a delicious success story, be sure to give this podcast episode a listen.

Episode 11: Cold Water Smoking Pipes

Even if you’re not in the market for a smoking apparatus, Rich’s story is exciting and provides insight into what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur. He has over 20 years of experience in the retail industry, which gives him the knowledge and skills necessary to design, manufacture, and market his products. If you are looking for inspiration or want to learn more about what it takes to start your own business, check out this episode of Objects! with ShipHero.

Get Inspired to Start Your Business Journey

It’s always exciting to see and hear about successful entrepreneurs constantly blazing their trails and setting new goals. They serve as examples of what is possible and inspire us to think outside the box and push ourselves to do better. So go ahead and check out some of their stories, and remember– entrepreneur or not– never stop dreaming big. 

Be sure to subscribe and follow Objects! With ShipHero on both iTunes and Spotify for even more success stories in season two. Thanks for tuning in!

Objects! with ShipHero is a detailed, 360′ exploration of eCommerce and shipping one object at a time. John Wakim, your new host and ShipHero Head of Partnerships, will drill into the details to help you make sense of this world. If you have an object that you want to profile, please send a note to John Wakim at pitch@shiphero.com.

Click HERE to Listen on iTunes.                             Click HERE to Listen on Spotify.

About the host: John Wakim is the Head of Partnerships at ShipHero and Host of the Objects! With ShipHero podcast. As an early-stage entrepreneur with experience in SaaS, eCommerce, and retail, John has a diverse background. His innate ability to embrace challenges head-on makes him an early adopter at heart. No matter if he’s working alone, with an in-house or remote team, with a vendor, or with an agency, John can wear many hats and roll up his sleeves and work relentlessly to meet goals.