Questions to Ask a Fulfillment Vendor

Online shopping is huge in the United States. In fact, in 2016 retail ecommerce sales in the U.S. totaled $322.17 billion. That's where ecommerce fulfillment companies come in. If you want to get in on this lucrative market, top ecommerce fulfillment companies can help your business succeed. They're the hub for getting your product from your warehouse out to the person who bought it. And when searching for fulfillment companies, there are few questions you should ask.

Do You Offer Any Additional Services?
One of the first things you can ask a potential fulfillment vendor is if they offer any services other than just shipping your product. Some vendors will offer the customer and the client tracking and ecommerce shipping information, so everyone is aware of where their package is from the point of shipping to final delivery. This may seem like a small benefit, but to a customer, it means so much. Any that can make the customers experience to jump from a one to a 10 really should be utilized. If they do all these kinds of services, It's a pretty good sign that they take their jobs seriously.

How Is Order Accuracy Monitored?
People make mistakes, but a fulfillment company should do all they can to avoid it. Ask your fulfillment vendor how they track their order accuracy. Find out what kinds of technology they use to keep an eye on any mistakes that have been made and ask how those mistakes have been resolved. If you feel as though you aren't getting the full answer, it's okay to ask your fulfillment vendor if they have any references. After all, you want to make sure that you're getting the most out of your fulfillment vendor.

How Do You Operate Under Massive Order Pressure?
More often than not, businesses will start to see a huge influx of orders around the holidays. That means a fulfillment company needs to be prepared to handle them. Ask your fulfillment vendor how they handle the times of high volume and if they bring any extra staff on board during the holiday season. Customer satisfaction is one of the most important parts of running a business, so if your customers aren't happy with how and when they're getting their packages, no one's going to want to shop with you.

When searching for top ecommerce fulfillment companies, there are a few things you need to know. Take a look at the questions list above before settling on a vendor and don't be afraid to ask any of them.

---