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Welcome to our Shipping Methods Explained blog series. In this series, we will deep dive into fulfillment methods - that is, how businesses fulfill their online orders and get products to their customers. Sounds simple right? Well, in theory it is. You could hop on your itty-witty bicycle and hand-deliver your product, mission accomplished. But consider the complexity when your company fulfills hundreds to thousands of orders daily, not to mention the skyrocketing shipping costs that could price you out of the market. Managing inventory, navigating each carriers’ specific requirements, calculating the lowest cost from thousands of shipping options… it’s a daunting task. That’s why more and more businesses are outsourcing their fulfillment methods. Are you ready to outsource your fulfillment? Let’s analyze your options to help you decide the best method for your business. In this article, we’ll discuss Dropshipping. What is dropshipping? What are the pros/cons? When is it right for my business? Let’s dive in.(And be sure to check back for future articles where we’ll cover even more fulfillment methods)
Dropshipping is the term used when a product is shipped directly from a manufacturer, supplier, or wholesaler, bypassing the retailer that made the sale entirely.
SOURCE: https://www.shopify.com/blog/what-is-dropshipping
Dropshipping businesses are extremely common nowadays, due to the allure of making a passive income matched with the simplicity of setting up a dropshipping business. All it takes is 3 easy steps to get you on your way.Step 1: Choose a Product/NicheThe first step you take in starting a dropshipping business is to choose what you are going to sell. Your product could be a brand new gadget, or a low-cost version of a luxury item, or a luxury version of a low-cost item. As long as there is a market for it, there are no wrong choices here. So do your due diligence and find a product that you think you could sell. ABC… Always be closing.Step 2: Find a Dropshipping SupplierOnce you choose your product, find a dropshipping supplier. You can search a supplier database like Dropship Direct, Alibaba, or AliExpress. (Although be sure to stay up-to-date on news concerning Chinese dropshipping providers)Alternatively, you can use an integrated supplier directory. This means that when you build your online store, say in Shopify (see Step 3), the dropshipper will be linked directly to your online store. Shopify recommends the easiest integration is with the Oberlo marketplace. From here, choose from millions of products and upload them directly to your store. Step 3: Build Your Online StoreAfter you have your product and supplier, have some fun building your online store! This will serve as the grand entrance to your brand. Websites like Shopify, Wix and 3DCart allow you to build your online store from scratch, or select from pre-made templates. When choosing between your options, make sure your choice gives you the ability to easily integrate with your dropshipping supplier.When designing your store, keep in mind who your target audience is, and build your website to reflect their wants and needs. Not just in appearance, but in website functionality. You can turn customers into repeat shoppers through a convenient and fluid shopping experience.
Is dropshipping right for your business? Or would you benefit from a third-party logistics provider or another fulfillment method? Let’s look at the pros and cons of dropshipping so you can decide for yourself.
Dropshipping is the perfect business model for those that want to earn a passive income. It’s simple to start, with little to no cash investment. You can quickly test your ideas with limited risk to you. The three main advantages to dropshipping are:Less Capital is RequiredDropshipping eliminates the need to invest heavily in inventory, warehouse fees, transportation fees, etc. so anybody with a laptop and a dream can start an online business.Able to Offer Wider Range of ProductsWith dropshipping, you don’t have to purchase inventory until the sale is made, which significantly reduces the risk to you. So this gives you freedom to offer a large array of products on your site.Simple to StartWith companies like Shopify that basically make the entire process a drag-and-drop activity, starting an online business has never been easier.
The pros listed above explain why so many people have started an online dropshipping store, and why they use dropshipping to expand their product lines. But for the very same simplicity and low costs that attract these entrepreneurs, dropshipping also presents a set of challenges.Low Profit MarginBecause the barriers to enter the dropshipping market are very low, the competition is fierce. Having many sellers in the market pushes down the cost as they compete with each other. Sure, you can differentiate based on branding, customer service, etc. but at the end of the day, $$$ talks.Little to No CustomizationBecause you are at the will of your supplier, they rarely offer any customization to your products, your packaging, or your unboxing experience. Say you want to make the slightest tweak to the look of your item, or you want to pack it a certain way or in a bundle, this will most likely not be possible. Some Alibaba dropshipping suppliers will accommodate and customize, but even then, they fully control the product and could even turn around and sell your customized goods to the next retailer.Little to No ControlYou entrust the entire fulfillment process to the supplier, and accept the quality of service that they provide. If there are errors or mistakes, you cannot blame your supplier and it will be your brand that pays the price. Maybe not in dollars, but certainly in reputation.So, is dropshipping right for your business? If you’re not sure, stay tuned for our next article as we dive into third-party logistics (3PL) and fulfillment providers like ShipHero.Learn more about ShipHero's industry-leading warehouse management software.
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Transitioning to a new Warehouse Management System (WMS) is a high-stakes decision that often triggers concerns regarding downtime, data integrity, and workforce adaptation. As warehouses prepare for 2026 growth, understanding these common hurdles—and the technical solutions that resolve them—is essential for a successful migration. This guide addresses the five primary barriers to adoption and how a high-velocity infrastructure ensures a seamless transition.
Warehouse operators frequently hesitate to upgrade due to perceived risks that can halt operations. These challenges typically include:
To clear these hurdles, a structured implementation strategy is used to prioritize data density and entity clarity.
In the competitive eCommerce landscape, staying stagnant with manual workarounds is often more costly than the transition itself. Moving to a high-velocity WMS converts your warehouse from a cost center into a growth engine by providing Labor Efficiency and ROI through automated routing and reduced authentication friction.
Because the platform is built for the floor worker, features like Workforce Hero allow seasonal temps and new staff to be authenticated and productive in under an hour.
No. High-velocity infrastructure increases visibility by providing Total Real-Time Control. Managers can monitor exactly what is in the Hospital queue and track replenishment in real-time from a single dashboard.
Before going live, a ground-up audit is performed using cycle counting tools. The system's architecture ensures that every movement on the floor is synchronized with sales channels instantly, maintaining 99.9% accuracy.
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Picture a packer at Peak Season. A box is in front of them, a product in each hand, and somewhere on a cluttered desk there's a mouse they need to find to confirm the order. They look down. They hunt. They click. Then they do it again. Thousands of times a day.
That moment of friction is small. But it is never just one moment. Multiply it across your entire pack line, across an entire shift, and you are looking at a measurable and largely invisible drag on your total throughput.
Tap-to-Pack is a purpose-built hardware controller designed by ShipHero to eliminate digital friction at the packing station. It connects via USB-C, requires no drivers or additional software, and syncs automatically with the ShipHero WMS packing app. This new system is now available at the ShipHero Store.
Instead of navigating a screen with a keyboard and mouse, packers execute every high-frequency command — such as selecting box sizes, printing labels, finalizing orders, flagging exceptions — with a single physical tap on one of eight programmable buttons.
Key specifications:
Most warehouses are running 2026 operations on 1990s peripheral standards. The keyboard and mouse were designed for spreadsheets and emails, not high-volume fulfillment. When used at a packing station, they create three compounding problems:
The problem is not your people. It is the tools you are asking them to use.
Tap-to-Pack introduces a "Rodent-Free" packing standard: a workflow where the packer's hands stay on the product, their eyes stay on the work, and the software fades into the background.
The device guides the packer through two feedback systems:
ShipHero customers running Tap-to-Pack are already seeing a 90% reduction in on-screen interactions and a significant increase in the number of orders packed per hour, without adding headcount or changing their warehouse layout.
One of the hardest challenges in fulfillment is absorbing volume quickly, especially during Peak Season, when temporary staff need to reach target productivity fast.
Because Tap-to-Pack's interface is physical and intuitive, there is almost nothing to teach. Pick up the product, follow the light, tap the button. New packers can reach target productivity in minutes rather than hours.
The system is also modular:
Whether you are a growing DTC brand or a high-volume 3PL, Tap-to-Pack is designed so your hardware never becomes a ceiling on what your team can do.
Tap-to-Pack is a programmable, industrial-grade hardware controller that connects to the ShipHero WMS and allows warehouse packers to execute packing station commands, such as printing labels, selecting boxes, and completing orders. All with a single physical button press, eliminating the need for a keyboard and mouse.
The device connects via USB-C and syncs automatically with the ShipHero WMS packing app. It is a true plug-and-play solution: no drivers, no background software, and no manual configuration required.
Yes. Buttons are configurable for a range of packing actions, including Print Label, Complete Order, Select Box Size, and the Hospital function, which flags a problematic order and keeps the line moving without stopping to resolve it on screen.
The system is fully modular. Connect up to two additional 8-button hubs to the Main Hub for a total of 24 programmable buttons, supporting even the most complex multi-step packing workflows.
Tap-to-Pack devices require ShipHero Packing App v1.0 or higher. The current release is v1.1.0.
Imagine running a warehouse where orders are picked quickly, inventory is accurate, and all operations run smoothly without any errors or delays. Thanks to Artificial Intelligence, this can now become a reality with ease.
AI is transforming warehouse management by enhancing efficiency, intelligence, and the ability to meet the rapid demands of today’s eCommerce-driven market.
ShipHero is pioneering this revolution with its AI-powered warehouse solutions, setting new industry benchmarks. This article explores ShipHero’s AI Picking feature, highlighting how it’s transforming warehouse management and enhancing operational efficiency.
The integration of AI technologies, including machine learning, robotics, and predictive analytics, is revolutionizing warehouse operations, driving significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and overall performance. These innovations are optimizing processes across various areas, from inventory management to order fulfillment. Below are the key benefits of AI in warehouse management.
A combination of AI technologies is shaping smarter warehouse systems to help revolutionize warehouse management.
ShipHero has taken AI integration to the next level with its AI Picking feature, designed to significantly improve warehouse efficiency. This feature automates the picking process, reducing the reliance on manual labor and enhancing productivity in ways that were once thought impossible.
Let’s dive deeper into how ShipHero’s AI Picking works and the advantages it offers.
AI Picking optimizes warehouse operations in two key ways:
The AI Picking feature delivers a wide range of benefits:
The transformative power of AI extends far beyond just picking. AI is also revolutionizing other aspects of warehouse management, driving improvements in operational efficiency, inventory management, and safety.
AI automates tasks, reducing errors and increasing speed. Automated sorting and real-time inventory tracking ensure accuracy, while real-time monitoring helps managers adapt and ensure timely deliveries.
AI plays a vital role in maintaining accurate inventory levels. By leveraging predictive analytics, AI can forecast demand and optimize stock levels, helping warehouses avoid both stockouts and overstock situations. This leads to better inventory management and fewer disruptions in supply chains.
AI-driven systems can monitor warehouse conditions to ensure safety and compliance with industry regulations. These systems can analyze warehouse data and predict potential hazards before they occur, proactively reducing risks and ensuring a safer working environment.
AI technologies are playing a transformative role in the supply chain and logistics sectors by improving efficiency, reducing costs, and enhancing decision-making.
These intelligent systems effortlessly manage supply chain processes by using data to optimize operations, predict trends, and automate routine tasks. This ultimately reshapes everything, from how goods are moved to stored and delivered.
The future of warehouse management looks promising with greater automation and efficiency, but future warehouse digitization brings challenges, such as high upfront costs and the need for skilled personnel.
AI-powered drones, autonomous robots, and IoT integration are smart warehouse technologies that are revolutionizing warehouse operations. Drones will deliver goods quickly, while robots automate sorting and transportation, thereby reducing the need for manual labor.
IoT and AI integration will enable real-time monitoring and optimization of operations. Smart technology in warehouses is leading to fully automated systems that are faster, scalable, and need minimal human input.
While AI offers immense benefits, businesses must also consider certain challenges. High initial investments in AI technology, data security concerns, and the need for skilled personnel are just a few of the hurdles that must be addressed.
However, with a strategic approach, companies can eliminate the challenges and embrace AI’s full potential to boost accuracy in picking and improve overall warehouse operations.
AI minimizes error by automating tasks like inventory tracking, order picking, and sorting, ensuring greater accuracy and efficiency.
Yes, AI-driven predictive analytics can predict demand, track inventory levels, and improve supply chain efficiency by forecasting needs with greater accuracy to help businesses stay ahead of trends and market fluctuations.
AI solutions are becoming more cost-effective thanks to cloud-based services and subscription pricing models. These options make AI technology more accessible to small businesses, allowing them to take advantage of its benefits without large upfront costs.
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