Fulfillment Services for Shopify - Get the Best Pricing

Search Engines

The majority of people will go to Google first when looking for a business. Although it’s a powerful search engine, there might be a few reasons why your best fit is not on page one. Here are a few explanations on why you must be careful looking for fulfillment companies through Google:

• Page one on Google only contains providers with the biggest ad budget. But the guys with the most money may not be the best one to fill your needs.
• The first page of Google is also comprised of companies that have been around quite some time and have developed their SEO (search engine optimization) rankings. However, just because they have good SEO, doesn’t always make them the best fit.
• There is a lot of competition of Google. You may have specified requests. This could force you to search through thousands of pages on Google before you find the best option for your business.
• You want a company that focuses on fulfillment, not large advertising. Look for the best reviews. Those will speak the loudest.

If you intend to use a search engine, just know what you’re looking for. The more specific your search, the easier it will be to find a good match.

The Easy Way to Find the Best Shopify Fulfillment Company – Our Matchmaking Service

If you’re a busy bee and you just don’t have time to search, it may be best to hire a consultant. A guided service can save you the time and headache of a search. Especially if you have custom needs. There are over 20,000 options for a fulfillment business in the United States alone.

If you are actively vetting companies, using a professional in the industry may bring more insight to the table. For larger volume shippers, there are a number of different fulfillment consultants that specialize in helping create a formal RFP and then short-listing top matches. This type of service isn’t cheap, and usually costs either a large sum of money or you’ll pay a percentage of your fulfillment fees for any recommendation.

For those not able to afford hefty consulting fees, WarehousingAndFulfillment.com is a matchmaking service that has a massive database of thoroughly screened fulfillment companies for every industry. You may want to try your own search first to understand what you want and then ask the pro. You’ll know your strategy best based on your business model.

What to Look For when Choosing a Shopify Fulfillment Company

Finally, there are some general warning signs when choosing a fulfillment company that every small business can look out for. Don’t get caught in these traps:

Avoid Long-Term Contracts

If you’re a start-up or small business, you probably intend to grow. Don’t get caught in a long-term fulfillment contact. Many logistics companies will now offer flexible pricing based on your growth (or decline). They will adapt to your needs and adjust accordingly. Therefore, it’s never wise to lock into warehouse long-term fixed fees. Look for a company that will give you month-to-month or more flexibility.

Get Clear Terms of Service

Insist the fulfillment company spell out exactly what you are getting. You don’t want to be surprised with hidden costs in a peak season. Make sure the scope of the agreement and the exact charges for every service are accounted for in the contract. Also, clarify points like the minimum and maximum volumes they will accept and any guarantees you get as their customer.

Verify References

In a world of fake reviews, any business can look good on paper. You should request references and any verifiable data that supports their claims of capacity. You should also ask if they have other customers they serve in your industry.

Industry Specific

It’s important that you look for a fulfillment company that has prior experience with your industry. Every fulfillment company functions a little differently, so it’s critical you ask the right questions. Many of these companies actually specialize in particular industries. Specialization is one of the first things you should have on your list.

Shopping Cart Integration

It can save E-commerce companies a considerable amount of time and money when their orders go straight to the e-commerce fulfillment center through a direct integration. Many sellers need to compile their sales and then send a report to the fulfillment center. It’s an extra step and can lead to longer shipping times. When the fulfillment center receives your order so quickly, they can usually handle the packing and shipping on the same day.

Do your Research

One of the most common pitfalls a small business can face is choosing a fulfillment center just by price. Although budget is important, a business can lose money if they choose a company that isn’t the right fit. Long shipping times lead to unhappy customers. It’s important to get competitive fulfillment prices from logistics companies. Sometimes low prices mean low quality.

The best you can do to avoid any mistakes is your due diligence. Take the time to look into the business. Don’t be afraid to call and interview them. You don’t want to have to change companies after four months so it’s worth being patient in your research. And remember, you can always ask for help! There are many valuable and informed consultants that can lead you in the right direction.

You can never be too careful, but when done right, outsourcing can save you money on warehousing costs, taxes, and labor. And who knows, perhaps a little more peace of mind too!