Ecommerce businesses survive on customer satisfaction. Online reviews and the presence of competitive businesses can be hard to navigate, if not properly planned. The only way you can attract new customers and retain older ones is to improve your order fulfillment strategy, from the initial product order to the final delivery. However, this isn’t as easy as it seems.
Certain challenges exist in the process. For instance, multiple ordering channels such as your main site, social media pages and other online stores can make it difficult to process orders in time.
Improve Your Order Fulfillment Strategy
Inefficient order fulfillment can have a negative impact on growth. Several eCommerce sites have shut down as a result. Improving order fulfillment processes is the key to a business’s success.
Adopt a standardized work flow
A simple strategy is to align all the processes and make sure every order is standardized. Design a work flow to process every order, irrespective of how the order was placed.
For example, maintain an order directory and allot a unique code to each order. This will help to make sure that the products are delivered in time and nothing is lost in the paperwork.
Know potential lead time
Don’t make promises you can’t keep. Customers want to know the approximate time their product will be delivered to them. Make sure you research possible lead times for various destinations and delivery routes.
Let’s say, a customer orders from a region where weather conditions can limit delivery. There will be high chances that orders get delayed.
A customer will be disappointed if you give them a lead time of three days but deliver in five. If you let them know that the order will be delivered within five days, the product will probably reach on time even if delay occurs.
The same problem can be experienced during holiday season, when online shopping is at its peak.
Communicate with your customer
From confirmation of the order received to tracking information, your customer will appreciate if you keep them informed. Most people like to know where their order is in the process.
Outsource order fulfillment
Streamlining order fulfillment processes and fixing existing or new issues that may arise from time to time can be very complex. It‘s especially difficult for eCommerce setups because of the lack of support staff.
At ShipFusion, we strive to develop order and service fulfillment solutions to ensure you can keep your customers satisfied. From warehousing and inventory management to integrating multiple sales channels, we take care of everything.
Shipfusion sets your business on autopilot and combines flexible, reliable fulfillment with powerful, real-time technology. Shipfusion has multiple fulfillment centers across the US and Canada– making it easy to manage your eCommerce business. For more information on how to set your business on autopilot, contact one of our fulfillment specialists today.
