In the early days of building your business, handling fulfilment yourself might seem like a no-brainer. After all, it's just getting things from point A to point B, right? But there's a lot more to it than that. Picking the right items, managing stock, performing quality control, and arranging delivery is just the tip of the iceberg. There's also returns, reworking orders, kitting and bundling... the list goes on. You might be able to manage it all yourself when you're starting out, but as your business grows, it won’t be long before fulfilment turns into a major headache. That's where fulfilment centres come in. They take all the hassle away, freeing you up to focus on what you do best - running your business and keeping your customers happy. But are there other perks beyond just convenience? And is outsourcing fulfilment really worth it? Let's find out! Read on to discover 5 top benefits of outsourcing to a fulfilment centre and why partnering with one might be the perfect move for your business.
What is a fulfilment centre?
A fulfilment centre is a central hub where products are stored, picked, packed, and shipped to customers. They’re typically run by third-party logistics (3PL) providers on behalf of eCommerce businesses. Here’s how they work:
- Businesses store their products in the fulfilment centre instead of managing their own warehouse space.
- When a customer places an order online, the fulfilment centre receives the information and picks the items from the shelves.
- The products are then packed securely and prepared for shipment by the fulfilment centre.
- The fulfilment centre arranges for a courier to pick up the package and deliver it to the customer’s doorstep.
Why should you outsource to a fulfilment centre?
Outsourcing to a fulfilment centre can be a game-changer for your eCommerce business. Here are the top five reasons why:
1. Cost savings
One of the biggest perks of outsourcing fulfilment is the economies of scale you gain. Large fulfilment centres, like those run by I-Fulfilment, operate on a large global scale. They’ve already invested in warehouse space, technology, and highly trained staff to store, pick, pack, and ship orders. They also have established relationships with local carriers. This translates to major cost savings on rent, labour, and shipping rates - savings you can use to develop other parts of your business. With over 20 years of experience and over a billion products shipped, we've got fulfilment down to a science. By streamlining the process to optimise costs, while keeping each stage moving smoothly, your fulfilment needs can be met at highly competitive rates, all without compromising on quality.
2. Scalability
Fulfilment centres are built to adapt. They can scale their operations up or down depending on your business's needs, such as during seasonal peaks and troughs in demand. You won't be scrambling to secure extra warehouse space or temporary staff during busy times, and you won't be burdened with the overhead costs of maintaining an underutilised in-house fulfilment operation during slower times. Thanks to our innovative management software, BladePRO, you will have access in real-time to updates on orders, inventory, and shipments, giving you complete visibility over your fulfilment processes. By combining the data collected by our software with your insights, our fulfilment services will be tailored to match your seasonal demand for maximum efficiency.
3. International growth
When you want to expand your business beyond the domestic market, fulfilment centres can help you realise this dream. Many providers have strategically located warehouses in various countries, allowing you to enter new markets without the complexities of setting up your own international infrastructure. This allows for a smooth customer experience even for overseas buyers. Our extensive network of fulfilment centres spans the globe, covering major markets like the UK, USA, and Europe. With strong partnerships with trusted local carriers and compliance experts in each region, we ensure you can offer fast and reliable delivery to your international customers. Expanding your market reach has never been simpler!
4. Focus on core strengths
Outsourcing fulfilment frees up your valuable time and resources. Instead of getting bogged down in logistics, you can focus on other crucial aspects of your business such as product development, marketing, and sales. Our comprehensive suite of fulfilment services goes beyond just preparing products for shipment; this includes handling specialised tasks like reworking, marketplace management, and packaging customisation, saving you even more time.
5. Better quality customer experience
Fulfilment centres aren't just a win for businesses - they can make a big difference for your customers too. Here’s how:
- Fulfilment centres are often close to major transportation hubs, which can help you get your products to your customers faster - leading to higher customer satisfaction.
- Fulfilment centres have robust systems in place to minimise picking and packing errors, so customers are less likely to receive incorrect or incomplete orders.
- Some fulfilment centres, such as ours at I-Fulfilment, even handle returns and customer service. That means a smoother process for your customers and less hassle for you.
By providing a high-quality customer experience, you build a positive reputation that attracts new customers and keeps existing ones coming back for more.
Tired of managing fulfilment? Let I-Fulfilment take it off your plate
Free up your time and resources with I-Fulfilment's industry-leading fulfilment services and centres. With our help you can save money, boost your reputation, quickly get your products to customers, and deliver a first-class unboxing experience; allowing you to focus on growing your business. Our fulfilment experts are happy to chat and answer any questions you have. Get a free quote online or call us on 01425 200 222 today!