Why You Need Order Fulfillment Software for Small Business
If your shipping process is slow or cumbersome, that’s what customers will remember. Not your competitive prices or your cool site. That's why order fulfillment software for small business is a game changer in creating a shopping experience customers love.
Online shoppers expect quick fulfillment of online orders through mobile devices and desktop channels. Many customers shop through marketplaces rather than on the brand's site. In fact, a recent UPS online shopper survey found that more than 96 percent of U.S. online shoppers made a purchase using a marketplace. For small businesses, logistics software that integrates with the top marketplaces, as well as carriers, payment services, and other providers, is a must-have for success. With the right order fulfillment software for small business, you can simultaneously increase customer satisfaction and sales.
Rising service expectations are squeezing shipping windows. Just a few years ago, five to seven days was standard except for high-dollar overnight shipping. Nowadays, two-day shipping has become the norm for Amazon Prime members and other companies are trying to match that. In some metro areas, same-day shipping is available for popular products.
Get ready for shipping expectations to rise again. For instance, 36 percent of U.S. consumers expect that an order placed as late as 9 p.m. would be eligible for next-day shipping, according to the UPS survey. Sixteen percent said an order placed between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. should be eligible for same-day shipping.
With those kinds of expectations, order fulfillment software for small business is critical. If you can prepare orders for shipping as fast and efficiently as possible, you can opt for lower cost services and still meet deadlines. The real test is whether you fill orders correctly and get them out of the door on time. Eliminating bottlenecks and unnecessary steps in the process will boost your fulfillment rates.
As your e-commerce business grows, don't forget about returns. Reverse logistics is a necessary part of the business model. The UPS survey found that 75 percent of U.S. consumers had shipped an item back to the retailer, compared to only 45 percent who returned an item to a physical store. Those people who prefer to send returns back to retailers said convenience and free return shipping were their top reasons.
If you're looking for order fulfillment software for your small business, check out Logiwa. Our cloud-based solutions help customers improve inventory and achieve 100 percent accuracy across all their sales channels. Shippers can pick, pack and ship faster so they can offer extended order times and still meet the premium shipping cutoffs. Overall, we've seen shipping improvements by up to 2.5 times faster than other solutions. If you're ready to offer same-day and two-day shipping, Logiwa can support your value proposition to your customers.
As you're seeking order fulfillment software for small business, look for solutions that support all retail channels
to provide brand consistency and build customer satisfaction. Consumers will expect flexible delivery options, including in-store pickup, alternate delivery locations, and expedited delivery.
To find out more about order fulfillment software for small business contact us for a demo today.
