What are the best ways to outsource your 3PL and ecommerce fulfilment from processing it internally?
Outsourcing your 3PL (third-party logistics) and ecommerce fulfilment can be a great way to streamline your operations, save time, and reduce costs. Here are some of the best ways to do it:
- Determine your needs: Before outsourcing, it's important to identify your specific needs and requirements. This includes the volume of orders you receive, the types of products you sell, and the shipping destinations. By knowing your needs, you can better evaluate potential 3PL partners and choose the one that best fits your business. We specialise in small and light fast-moving items like cosmetics, alcohol, perfumes, FMCG items and jewellery.
- Research potential 3PL partners: Look for 3PL providers that specialise in ecommerce fulfilment and have experience with your specific industry. Check their reputation, customer reviews, and track record. Evaluate their capabilities, pricing, and the technology they use to manage orders and inventory. Check out our testimonials and we will happily give you contact details to speak to clients that use our service for all honest conversations.
- Assess our technology: Make sure the 3PL provider has the technology to integrate with your ecommerce platforms, such as inventory management systems, shipping software, and order management software. This will ensure that orders are processed efficiently and accurately. With one central tool to sign into to see live inventory, all your orders being processed and communication channels to speak to the picking teams, we have you covered. We can even produce branded materials to help you with dispatch notes and personalised elements.
- Evaluate their warehousing and shipping capabilities: Check the 3PL provider's warehousing and shipping facilities. Evaluate their location, size, security, and climate control. Ensure that they have the capability to handle your products and that they offer shipping options and carriers that meet your requirements. There isn't a one-size, fits-all warehouse. We work with our clients to be as modular as possible and to ensure scalability and flexibility in your peak seasons.
- Ask about customer service and support: Ensure that the 3PL provider offers responsive customer service and support. Check their hours of operation and availability for urgent requests or issues. Ask about their communication channels and how they handle customer inquiries and complaints. We give you direct contact channels to warehouse management, account managers and picking teams so you are never out of the loop. We have a crisis a day and we are always working to smooth out potential issues as they arise.
- Consider the cost: Evaluate the 3PL provider's pricing structure and compare it with the cost of processing orders internally. Consider factors such as warehousing fees, shipping costs, and order processing fees. Keep it simple. There are three cost centres, storage, picking/packing and distribution. There are many ways to increase the complexity and terminologies change from company to company so it is hard to compare. But there are lots of hidden costs, so be aware of all order scenarios so you can cost compare accurately.
- Start with a small test project: Once you have chosen a 3PL partner like CBF Fulfilment, start with a small test project to evaluate their performance and ensure that they meet your expectations. Gradually increase the volume of orders and expand the scope of the partnership as you build trust and confidence. We work with companies from all over the world to manage projects, new SKU launches and consistent daily e-commerce order processing. Talk to us about how you wan tot work and we will provide the solution.
By following these best practices, you can find a reliable and efficient 3PL provider that meets your needs and helps you grow your ecommerce business. Of course, we are biased at CBF Fulfilment. But we recognise that we cannot suit all client's needs. Talk to us for an honest and simple conversation about what you're after and we will help you even if its to point you at an alternative 3PL partner.
Ecommerce Order Management
with ONE login
All E-commerce clients have access to our FREE Software Integrations with your shopping carts.
- Online Stock Controls
- Live Order Tracking
- Multi-Channel Order Management
- Shipping Management
- Full Reporting
- Barcode Verified
- Cloud-based, Easy to use
- & it's free to you.
In the last month we have processed the following:
Processing Times
We can work as fast as you need us to. We operate in a Perfect Operating Fulfilment (POF) world. Your clients will more often than not be able to operate as quickly as us with our order processing. So we are able to manage dispatch dates and process order to satisfy your clients and not hamper their processes. We can be as flexible as you would like us to be.
Understanding delivery performance, accurate delivery documentation, damage reporting and timeline traceability, your products can be located on pallets and picking locations all readily available for ordering anytime.
Picking/packing and dispatching orders to travel across the world daily, no matter the size of order. Our team will work with you help manage your book shipments, international customs paperwork and commodity codes to help aid the travel times.
We are all about the best reviews
for you and our processes.
Your brand and online presence will not grow if your fulfilment partner lets you down with poorly packed and mispicked items. We are all hunting for the 5-star review and together we actively work on providing the processes and tracking to keep you and your customers informed.
Keeping it simple and efficient.
We guarantee a same day dispatch of your goods.
WE STORE
Securely and efficiently in our heated Warehouse
Our warehouse is our own, We have a large space able to securely store pallets from only £2.00 per week, boxes and goods on pick pack bays ready for your customers to order. Come and see us.
WE PACK
Contract Packing or Order Fulfilment. We are ready!
Daily order processing from £0.50 per order or contract packing projects, we work with them all. Receiving orders from all sales channels we can pick/pack and dispatch the same day of order regardless of volumes.
*T&Cs may apply.
WE DISPATCH
Any size of consignment, anywhere in the world.
Our teams work with all packing suppliers as well as the National Couriers, Royal Mail and Pallet Networks all day every day. Talk to them about how to ship your orders securely and efficiently.
Onboarding
Our processes are fast and efficient.
With no setup, integration and management costs.
We are always keen to work with the publishing sector to give you access to our tools. You maybe moving from one existing provider or are in need of a site in the UK. We can help you transition, training your staff on our processes and tools to help you be more efficient and without disruption or delay to order workflow.
Looking for good communication?
We are class leading with a dedicated Client Services Team to help you with all your daily contact, a support ticket process for returns and ongoing projects as well as our query processes to speak directly to our picking teams about order specifics. We need you to be able to communicate on all levels so that you can deliver your ecommerce and promotional books and publications to your clients.
Your 3PL Ecommerce Fulfilment, Distribution Centre and Contract Packing partner. Planned, Integrated, Packed and Delivered.
T: 01242 802140
CBF Fulfilment
1-11 Alvin Street
Gloucester
GL1 3EJ
UNITED KINGDOM
