3pl warehouse packing station

Common eCommerce Fulfillment Mistakes You Should Avoid

No one can deny how eCommerce has changed the way consumers shop for the better. The pandemic has sped up the eCommerce industry’s growth as most companies took their businesses online, and consumers preferred to have their purchases delivered safely to their doorstep. This applied to everything – from daily groceries to clothing, mobile devices, and more.

Not many realize that logistics is the trickiest part of an eCommerce business. See, everyone already knows where to shop and how to look for the products they want. Even the process of purchasing items is pretty straightforward. What’s more complex is what happens after an order is placed.

First, the business needs to locate the item ordered as fast as possible. Then they need to package it securely and ship it to the buyer. Though rare, some things go on the wrong route and end up missing. There are also instances when stores have to process returns.

Yes, eCommerce can be lucrative, but it can also be a massive challenge for business owners. Customers expect a smooth, hassle-free shopping experience, prompt delivery, and excellent customer service.

As an eCommerce business, you should avoid these common fulfillment mistakes that could be costly:

Damaged or Incorrect Goods

To avoid damage in transit when selling physical goods, you must ensure they’re well-packaged and protected. It’s also crucial to double-check that you’re sending the correct items to your customers. If you make a blunder and send the wrong product, you’ll have to pay for the return shipping and damage your reputation with that customer.

Improperly Managed Inventory

If your inventory is not managed correctly, it can lead to many problems. For example, you may end up overstocking certain items and understocking others, leading to inefficiencies and wasted money.

Not only does this make it challenging to keep track of what you have in stock, but it can also lead to lost sales and frustrated customers.

To avoid this, it’s crucial to have a good system in place for tracking your inventory that includes regular updates and alerts when levels get low.

Too Small or Too Big Warehousing Space

If your warehousing space is too small, you will quickly run out of room to store inventory and will have to turn away customers. On the other hand, if your warehousing space is too large, you will be paying for space you’re not using and could end up with excess inventory that you can’t sell. It’s important to find a happy medium when it comes to warehousing space.

Delays in Delivery

If you’re promising your customers that their orders will arrive by a certain date, you must ensure that you can deliver on that promise. If you regularly miss your delivery deadlines, customers will start to look elsewhere for their purchases.

Manual Tracking

One of the most common mistakes is manual tracking. When you’re manually tracking orders, it’s easy to make mistakes that can cost you time and money. It’s much more inefficient compared to an automated system that can track orders and inventory for you. At Your Logistics Corp, we have a built in tracking system within our fulfillment network that minimizes mistakes and maximizes efficiency.

Lack of an Efficient Returns Process

Finally, not having a good returns process in place can also be costly. If you don’t have a process for handling returns, you’ll likely end up losing money on those transactions. It’s important to have a clear and concise returns policy so customers know what to expect.

The Right Partner Can Help You Avoid These Problems

Working with the right warehousing and fulfillment partner can significantly improve your eCommerce fulfillment process, so it’s imperative that you choose one that will fit your specific needs.

Your Logistics Corp offers warehousing and eCommerce fulfillment services in Las Vegas and other areas. Find out more about our services today!

I am an experienced logistics and supply chain executive with over 15 years in the global end-to-end logistics field, including retail, direct sales, and B2B. I leverage strong relationship skills, a team-oriented management style, and a focus on talent development to drive results and lead change for our internal team and clients alike.