Resources for Fulfillment

Order fulfillment services should be chosen to meet the needs of the company and the consumer. While the bottom line is very important, customer satisfaction is equally important. Small businesses must work with a distribution and fulfillment company to ensure their products get delivered accurately and on time.

Processing orders, picking, packing, shipping and customer service are all costly services that add up. Hiring one part-time employee for customer service tasks such as processing returns and complaints can get very costly. Begin your fulfillment strategy by asking for service quotes, and decide which will save you money now and in the long haul. Begin by:

1. Making the most of order fulfillment options by customizing your service agreement.

2. Starting your e-commerce business off on the right foot with complete fulfillment services.

3. Keeping your focus on the customer so the profits will follow.

Choose fulfillment companies with options to customize to meet your needs

Look for a logistics company that offers a wide-range of services that you can customize to meet your company's needs and budget. Not all logistics companies are willing to work with small businesses. Find out if your business meets the criteria of the company as one of your first steps. A good logistics fulfillment operation can offer customizable choices with price options to work with all size companies.

Structure your entire e-commerce business around a fullfillment and distribution provider

Small businesses, or larger ones, that are just starting out may find it easier to work with a fulfillment company that offers complete web-to-customer service. With the growing popularity of online shopping, fulfillment services are jumping on the bandwagon and offering complete packages. They will help you create a great online storefront, keep track of orders, pick, pack, ship and handle customer service. Meanwhile, you have more time to concentrate on increasing sales and productivity.

Concentrate on pleasing the customer when working with fulfillment houses

Find fulfillment service providers that have the same business focus as yours -- pleasing the customer. Customers appreciate full disclosure of upfront costs, fast shipping and not being overcharged for that shipping. Look for a fulfillment provider that charges exact shipping costs without tagging on outlandishly high handling charges. A happy customer is one that comes back and spreads the word.

• Small businesses looking for good fullfillment services may need to do a little shopping around. Many larger fulfillment and distribution companies only work with companies that need large scale distribution.