Efficiency is a crucial part of the order fulfillment process. It ensures that products get to their destinations time without sacrificing the quality of the packing, shipping, and arrival of the order. Before you select a company to complete your order fulfillment, you need to make sure they’re going to get the job done quickly and effectively. The guide below will explain how easy it is to find a good third party logistics company for order fast order fulfillment.
See How Well They Can Reach Your Customer Base
If most of your clients come from a certain part of the country, you should see how effectively your chosen order fulfillment provider can access that area. Most 3PL providers carry shipping zone maps that illustrate where their trucks go and how quickly they get to each destination. They can deliver outside of these areas, of course, but that will give you a general idea about how efficiently they can process orders or your target audience. Ask about rates for different delivery times (next day, two-day, etc.) and see if the pricing is within your budget.
Choose a Distribution Center with Flexibility (Especially during the Holidays)
Your order fulfillment needs change throughout the year, and your 3PL company needs to be able to accommodate that. Do they hire extra workers during the holiday season and other peak times of the year? With their storage facility be able to handle the extra products you will be bringing in seasonally? Do they have enough shippers and trucks to support the high volume of shipments that go out in the winter? These are all questions that you should ask before selecting a distribution center because it will determine whether or not your orders will get out efficiently all year long.
Ask about Fulfillment Times
Make sure you know how long it takes the distribution center to fill an order from start to finish average. Ask what percentage of orders go out the same day, within 24 hours, and within 48 hours. You can also inquire about the fastest turnaround the 3PL has had to meet in the past, just to get an idea of what your options will be if you have a last-minute order or an error that causes you to fulfill an order quicker than usual. The more you know about the company you’re working with, the better off you’re going to be.
Don’t Forget about Order Accuracy
In the midst of researching turnaround times, shipping zones, etc., make sure you verify the order accuracy of the fulfillment services you’re interested in. There is no sense in working with a company that can quickly fulfill orders if the orders end up getting returned at the end of the process. Find a well-respected, secure, experienced warehouse that you can trust to handle your orders, and you will be able to maintain the high customer satisfaction rates you’ve always wanted.