You are selling on Amazon? Are you wondering if Amazon should fulfill some of your orders? Perhaps you are trying to find a different fulfillment company for your products. It doesn’t matter what your reason is, it is important to know the differences between dropshipping and that.
Dropshipping can be a great way to grow your ecommerce store. Dropshipping allows you to stock a variety of products that your customers can choose from without worrying about shipping and storage. You can also choose to ship your products through your own website, rather than selling on Amazon or eBay.
Where do you start? How can you pick the right fulfillment option for you? And how can you distinguish between the largest contenders?
There are many options, but you could end up paying hefty fees and unhappy customers if you pick the wrong one. You’re leaving the company’s logistics in the hands a third party. It should be a good one.
What is Ecommerce Fulfillment?
ecommerce order fulfilment can be described as the steps involved in receiving, processing, and delivering orders to customers. A fulfillment company is the third party company you hire to perform all these steps.
While some ecommerce fulfillment agencies offer more, the idea is that you don’t need to store any item, ship it to the customer, and all the processing and returns are done automatically without you even having to think about it.
You can technically fulfill orders at their core from your garage, basement, or warehouse. When you outsource order fulfillment, it is much more convenient than dropshipping.
What is the difference between Dropshipping and Ecommerce Fulfillment?
Dropshipping and outsourced fulfillment are technically the same thing. Dropshipping and fulfillment are performed by a company that stores, handles, and ships all your products. Many of these companies will accept returns without you even having to lift one finger.
Dropshipping is a process that removes one step from the equation. Dropshipping is when companies contact a manufacturer who has the products they are interested in selling. The retailer simply needs to create a product page and then notify the dropshipper when the item has been sold.
A company making unique products or proprietary products cannot drop-ship. Each item must be made by an independent manufacturer or in-house. Fulfillment is therefore different because your products must be shipped to fulfillment companies at some point to allow them to store them. Dropshipping, on the other hand, often allows you to have the products in the hands of dropshippers or manufacturers.
What are the Top International Ecommerce Fulfillment Companies
ShipBob Best Overall Fulfillment Services
ShipBob is compatible with Shopify and Magento, BigCommerce, WooCommerce and SquareSpace. It offers shipping services to crowdfunding organizations. ShipBob has fulfillment centers located in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas. You can then split your inventory to the closest location to your customers to speed up delivery and reduce costs.
This tool could save you time and help you with order fulfillment and warehousing. The back-end includes everything you need, from inventory management to supply chain control.
This service is so easy to use. You can get more customers’ satisfaction if your ecommerce platform is easy to use. Check for possible same-day shipping options in certain areas.
ShipBob is a great choice if your goal is to find a simple and intuitive solution. ShipBob offers everything you need, from order management to return management. You don’t need to worry about pick-and-pack fees. Flat-rate fees simplify managing your expenses. ShipBob can also be used to ship bulk orders.
ShipBob’s Main Features
Leading eCommerce integrations
Distributional inventory management
Choose from a network of fulfillment centers
Shipping within the same day or two days
Management of orders
Management of returns
Wholesale and B2B orders
Warehousing of product
Kitting in warehouses
Analytics and reporting
ShipBob Pricing
This service is slightly more expensive than others we have covered. It costs $5 per month to store your items. You should also consider package shipping fees.
Pros
A wide range of outstanding features
It is very easy to use
You have complete control over your online business
You don’t need to store your products yourself
Cons
Some areas are more expensive than others
ShipBob is best for: ShipBob works well for companies looking for an easy solution to ecommerce fulfillment. Only pay for the storage of your inventory and its delivery to customers.
Plus, you get a flat rate per delivery. ShipBob is an affordable option for fulfilling orders in Bath. This makes it a good choice if you are selling a lot of products. Companies looking to grow quickly will benefit from advanced analytics and reporting. With in-depth orders reports, you can make smart business decisions.
Shopify Fulfillment
Shopify is the best option for fulfilling all your fulfillment needs. Shopify Fulfillment Network is a global network of environments that supports intelligent forecasting and inventory allocation. This network makes sure that your orders arrive at their customers as fast and accurately as possible.
Shopify offers excellent support from FedEx and other leaders, but it also helps customers minimize storage fees and use intelligent technology. Machine learning gives you access to demand forecasting statistics that will help you plan where to place more orders.
Inventory allocation technology can also help you predict which fulfillment centers or inventory solutions will be most effective for your clients. This results in a quick and affordable delivery experience. You can also get your items to your customers in as little as two days. This increases your chances of having happier clients.
Shopify’s Fulfillment network can help you increase customer loyalty and profits as fast and efficiently as possible. You don’t have to worry about packing, picking or shipping. So you’ll know when to replenish inventory so your business can keep up with the buying curve.
Shopify Fulfillment Main Features
Machine learning
Predictive reports to help with orders
Partnerships with top shipping brands
Global partners
Two-day delivery available
Support for exchanges and return
Packaging and branding custom designed
Multiple selling channels
Shipping strategy that is precise
This is a great way to build long-lasting customer relationships
Shopify Fulfillment Pricing
Shopify Fulfillment pricing is determined by each business. Once the team has gathered all the information they need about your business, they will give you a quote that best suits your needs. Each plan includes access to logistics experts who will ensure you get the best solution for your business.
Pros
Great for Shopify users
All inventory information can be synced
Machine learning enables predictive strategies
Shipping costs reduced
Lower operating costs
You can make your own shipping labels
Cons
High-end features can be costly
Control over third-party suppliers is limited
It takes some getting used to.
Although still quite new, it is not as well-proven as other tools.
Ideal for: Shopify Fulfillment Network is easy to use and accessible by everyone. It’s a great choice for Shopify users who want to increase their profits. Shopify is an order fulfillment platform that will simplify shipping and order processing. You’ll be able to improve customer experience with a large network of fulfillment centers.
Fulfillment.com
Fulfillment.com, a cloud-based service that automates repetitive tasks and streamlines order fulfillment, is simple to use. It has shipped over 16 million packages.
The company has since perfected the art of shipping orders and now operates seven international warehouses, which it uses to ship to over 150 countries. Three warehouses are located in the US, while others are in Melbourne Australia, Mexico City, Mexico and Birmingham, respectively, in Canada. Each package that is received at any one of these warehouses will be processed within 24 hours.
Fulfillment.com offers an online dashboard that allows you to manage all aspects of the process. Fulfillment.com agents will handle packaging and delivery. It is very efficient in tracking your order fulfillment parameters and establishing the time remaining before stock depletion. Also, it determines the best dates to place new products orders. You can also verify shipment delivery addresses, group orders, review your package postage fees, compare shipping carriers, and much more.
Fulfillment.com has a great customer service team. Fulfillment.com will assign a dedicated customer support agent or success manager to assist you with all your needs.
Fulfillment.com is a great choice if you are interested in enterprise-level warehouse and shipping carrier optimization, order grouping to minimize cost, inventory tracking, and integrations with all major ecommerce platforms.
Fulfillment.com is ideal for anyone who wants total control over their logistics process. Fulfillment.com allows you to access everything, from address verification to inventory tracking. Fulfillment.com offers multi-channel customer service, automatic order grouping, and multi-channel customer care. You can also get multi-channel support via email, phone, or social media.
Fulfillment.com Main Features
Worldwide fulfillment options
Happy customers get 2-day delivery
Shipping software that is intuitive and exciting
Customer support via multiple channels
Manufacturing options
Logistical and inventory tracking
You have access to many carrier options
Special services available for crowd-funded projects
Warehouse security
Physical security
Fulfillment.com Pricing
The basic features start at $10 per month. If you are looking to build a business, you may need to upgrade.
Pros
Excellent customer service
Great for managing your back-end
Great for warehouse management at enterprise level
There are many advanced tools available
Cons
For beginners, it can be difficult
Small businesses may not find this the best option.
Fulfilment.com is the best choice for you. It combines the power and reliability of automated fulfillment centers with all the power and flexibility of software automation. Fulfilment.com delivers a seamless experience that will save you time and reduce the amount of work involved in shipping products to customers. This service is ideal for anyone looking to build or expand an internet-based selling platform.
ShipStation
ShipStation has a reputation for being able to integrate with Magento, BigCommerce, and Shopify customers. It also offers some amazing packages starting at $25 per month. ShipStation’s shopping cart integration is a great feature. Orders and shipping can be automated from the backend. ShipStation allows you to customize packaging and any other items, thereby increasing the effectiveness of your business.
ShipStation provides everything you need for an easy ecommerce store. ShipStation offers automatic order retrieval, shipping cost calculators, customizable tracking information, and real-time shipping costs. Your solution can be integrated with other tools, such as third-party logistics tools and reporting tools.
This solution is truly feature-rich and offers great value for money. This could be the perfect addition to your eCommerce platform.
ShipStation is a popular choice for order fulfillment. ShipStation is a great choice if you want to maximize eCommerce fulfilment and don’t need to worry about making carrier labels. ShipStation offers the ability to integrate all your selling channels and carrier accounts.
ShipStation’s Main Features
Delivery management tools
Compare rates for pre-negotiated carrier options
With scanning of the packing slip, you can ship faster
Print your labels
Generate documents
Update customers
Eliminate errors quickly
Shipping projects – Save money
ShipStation Pricing
Packages start from $25 per month. It may not be the most cost-effective solution for ecommerce fulfillment but its value is unmatched.
Pros
Real-time shipping rates calculation
There are tons of advanced features
Integrates with third party tools
Uses your favorite ecommerce platform
Cons
Customer service is available via email only.
ShipStation is best for: ShipStation can be used to quickly create professional experiences for your customers. This service allows you to find the best rate, print the appropriate label, place batch orders for multi-label production, and much more. With just a few clicks you can focus more on your business and spend less time shipping. Integrations with major marketplaces are possible too.
Red Stag Fulfillment
Red Stag Fulfillment was awarded the Best Fulfillment Service Award in 2016. This is a well-run business that picks, packs and ships your products. Red Stag Fulfillment handles returns and storage. Red Stag Fulfillment is a popular company because it delivers on its promises. You don’t need to worry about customers becoming mad because of its speed and reliability. You don’t need to pay any setup fees, hidden fees or account management fees.
Red Stag is best suited for retailers who need to ship bulkier and heavier packages via multiple sales channels. If you are interested in knowing the cost of fulfillment, it is best to contact the team. The good news is that you have a month of trial support, so you can see how the system works for you.
Red Stag’s management system is very easy to use. It is easy to track your inventory and shipping orders. The software can also be integrated with other ecommerce solutions.
Red Stag fulfilment has been a reliable tool for fulfilling orders. Red Stag fulfilment offers a 100% guarantee on things such as inventory accuracy, receiving orders and handling order shipment speeds. Refunds and shipments not up to standard are subject to fees. This will ensure that your brand and you are protected.
Red Stag Fulfilment Main Features
There are no set-up fees, and you can try it for 30 days.
Peace of mind guaranteed by service
American consumers receive excellent support
Transparent service
Integrations into Ecommerce
Shipping fast and cheap
2-day product fulfilment network
Reliable and easy back-end management
Red Stag Fulfillment Pricing
Pricing can only be obtained by business owners who contact the team to discuss their needs. Your price will usually be determined by factors such as custom packaging prices, inventory levels and fulfillment operations.
Pros
This is a great choice for large order volumes companies
If you have bulky items, this is the ideal fulfillment solution
Interface is simple to use
There are many automated features that you can tap into
Cons
Complex pricing structure
This tool is best for: If you are looking for something that will give you security and a reliable fulfilment network, this tool is for you. Red Stag is a tool that can fulfill all fulfilment requirements. It can be daunting to start your own business and ship to customers. This company offers peace of mind.
ShipMonk
ShopMonk’s API integrations let users sync new orders into their software automatically. The products are shipped immediately. They promise a scalable solution, and the same service for each order. They offer unique services such as Amazon FBA Prep and crowdfunding fulfillment. They boast a highly regarded customer service section with 24*7 availability and 1-on-1 service. They promise fast delivery and no delays.
Shipmonk is a reliable and convenient multi-channel ecommerce fulfillment service and inventory control solution. Shipmonk gives you all the tools you need to meet customer expectations, such as fast shipping and a large selection of products. The whole process is simple and completely customizable because the company picks up and packs your orders.
You have the option to choose how quickly you would like your fulfillment provider to ship your products to your customers. This includes amazon prime shipping or two-day delivery from an ecommerce store.
ShipMonk, another leading tool for fulfilment, can make business leaders’ lives easier. Because of its transparent shipping process, this company is able to make a significant impact on the market. You also have greater control over how you serve customers because of the warehouse management options.
ShipMonk’s Main Features
Simple back-end store management
Best-in-class support
Shipping assistance to save you money
Massive shipping discounts
Many customization options
Transparent shipping process
Integrations are free
There are many options for warehouses
Permissions for users
Freight management
ShipMonk is the best choice for: ShipMonk offers a highly-scalable solution that can be used by any business size. Because of the importance of security, you can even become an enterprise participant. They take customer privacy very seriously and have taken all necessary steps to ensure that data is protected. You can also get actionable insights and reports to help you grow your company.
ShipMopnk Pricing
ShipMonk is not free to try, but it starts at $1 per Month depending on how many you need.
Pros
A wide range of shipping options available
Some companies have a high fulfillment cost
A wide range of services are available for ecommerce businesses
Excellent checkout experience
Cons
A little learning curve
It’s your turn…
After you have had the chance to learn the differences between dropshipping and ecommerce order fulfillment, you can give any of these people a call to find out what they can do for you. Each of the five services we recommend will be a great fit for you.
We hope you have found the right fulfillment partner for all your needs.
You can reach us at the comments section below if you have further questions regarding order fulfillment.
