How to sell products with the help of fulfillment centers?

If you own an online store or run a small business selling products on platforms like Shopify or Amazon, you might have heard about eCommerce fulfillment centers. But what are they, and how do they help your business grow?

In simple terms, an eCommerce fulfillment center is like a large warehouse that stores your products, packs them when a customer places an order, and then ships the order to your customer. These centers can handle all the tasks that come after someone clicks "buy" on your online store. Let's dive deeper into how these fulfillment centers help you sell more products and keep your customers happy.

The Perks of Using Fulfillment Centers

1. Improved Customer Service and Satisfaction One of the main reasons many eCommerce companies choose to work with a fulfillment provider is to improve customer service. Fulfillment centers can help your business meet the demands of your customers by ensuring that customer orders are processed quickly and accurately. When orders are delivered on time and in perfect condition, it leads to higher customer satisfaction. This is especially important in today’s world of online shopping, where customer expectations are high.
2. Lower Costs and Better Inventory Management Managing your own warehouse space can be expensive. You need to rent or buy a large warehouse, pay for utilities, hire staff, and handle maintenance. Third-party fulfillment centers, like those offered by ShipNetwork, can take on this burden for you. ShipNetwork, for example, has years of experience helping eCommerce brands store their inventory and ship orders efficiently​.
3. Not only does this reduce your fulfillment costs, but it also frees up physical space for you to focus on other aspects of your business, such as developing new products or expanding into global markets.
4. Efficient Order Processing and Fast Shipping With a fulfillment partner like ShipNetwork, the entire order fulfillment process becomes more efficient. From receiving customer orders to shipping orders, the fulfillment company handles everything. For example, ShipNetwork offers same-day delivery and can ship to 98% of the United States in just 1-2 days​. This fast shipping is a great way to keep customers coming back to your online store.
5. Scalability for Growing Businesses As your eCommerce business grows, so will your need for more storage and faster shipping. Fulfillment centers allow you to scale up without worrying about running out of warehouse space or hiring more staff. Whether you’re a new seller just starting out or a seasoned business dealing with high volumes of orders, fulfillment centers can adapt to your business needs.
6. ShipNetwork, for instance, has a distributed fulfillment network across the United States, which means your products can be stored closer to your customer base. This reduces shipping times and shipping costs, making it easier for your business to offer free shipping, which many customers expect these days​.
7. Support for Multi-Channel Sales Many eCommerce merchants sell their products on multiple sales channels—like their online store, social media, and retail stores. Fulfillment centers can integrate with different eCommerce platforms, helping you manage orders from various sources all in one place. Whether you sell on your Shopify store, through Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon), or on other online retailers, fulfillment centers make it easy to track orders and ensure they are fulfilled correctly​.
8. Reduced Storage Fees and Additional Services While in-house fulfillment requires you to rent a storage unit or own a warehouse, using a third-party logistics (3PL provider) like ShipNetwork can reduce these costs. Additionally, they offer additional services such as returns management, which takes the hassle out of processing returns​. This way, you can focus more on growing your business and less on the logistics of handling returns.

Fulfillment Centers vs. Amazon’s Fulfillment Network

If you’re an Amazon seller or third-party seller, you might wonder how fulfillment centers compare to Amazon’s fulfillment network. While Amazon FBA offers the advantage of Prime shipping and access to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, there are some drawbacks. For example, Amazon’s fulfillment network can come with additional fees for storage, especially during peak seasons. Also, FBA sellers must adhere to strict guidelines, which may not be suitable for all businesses.

On the other hand, a 3PL partner like ShipNetwork can offer more flexibility. With ShipNetwork, you can choose from various fulfillment methods that suit your business model, whether you're handling B2B orders, ecommerce fulfillment services, or need international shipping. Additionally, ShipNetwork’s integration with multiple shipping carriers ensures that your products reach your customers on time and at the lowest possible cost​.

How Fulfillment Centers Work for Small Businesses

For small businesses, using a fulfillment center is a great way to compete with larger ecommerce businesses. Fulfillment centers provide access to large buildings and distribution centers without the need for significant upfront investment. This is especially beneficial for new sellers who may not have much inventory but still want to offer fast and reliable shipping.

By partnering with a fulfillment company like ShipNetwork, small businesses can take advantage of professional inventory management, order processing, and shipping services. This allows them to focus on growing their business, attracting new customers, and expanding their selling plan across multiple sales channels.

Conclusion

Fulfillment centers are essential for ecommerce businesses looking to optimize their supply chain and improve their customer experience. Whether you're a small business or a large online retailer, partnering with a fulfillment provider like ShipNetwork can help you scale your business, reduce costs, and deliver a seamless shopping experience to your customers.

By letting fulfillment experts handle the entire process—from storage space to shipping labels—you can focus on what you do best: growing your business and satisfying your customers.