Third-Party Fulfillment Services: Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) Alternatives

(This post was last published on December 12, 2017. We’ve updated it for accuracy and completeness.)

Consumers expect affordable (free), fast, and flexible delivery options when they order online. Free and discounted shipping is a leading reason why shoppers turn to marketplaces like Amazon to purchase. The “Fulfilled by Amazon” logo makes such a difference for shoppers because it guarantees that the seller will meet their shipping expectations.

Amazon’s advanced fulfillment system is one of their biggest differentiators. It also sets the bar high for merchants. Amazon has the resources and technology to provide customers with free and fast, even within 2-hour, shipping.

If you’re a smaller merchant though, order fulfillment is a painful process. It’s tough to meet the expectations set by Amazon for your customers. Many merchants then rely on third- party fulfillment providers to manage their fulfillment processes and protect their bottom line.

While Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a popular third-party fulfillment service, it’s not for everyone. This post helps you compare top alternatives to FBA.

Why Your eCommerce Delivery Strategy Is More Important than Ever

(This post was originally published on July 6, 2017. We’ve updated it for accuracy and completeness.)

Can your customers rely on your shipping policies? How often do you miss a date or ship the wrong item?

A negative shipping experience can have an irreparable impact on your relationship with customers. 84% of consumers say that they won’t return to a brand after just one poor delivery experience.

All it takes is one mistakes to erode your brand image and customer loyalty. These mistakes add up and affect your bottom line too.

If there’s one business area to focus on next, consider making it your eCommerce delivery strategy. Statistics show that a good shipping experience is more important than ever for customer retention.

How to Find Manufacturers or Suppliers for Your Products

(This is a guest post from our friends over at Private Label Sk.In, a  private label manufacturer for high quality skin care solutions.) 

Building a strong business depends on making a steady profit while also meeting your customers’ expectations for a good product and a positive buying experience. Selecting the right manufacturer or supplier is one of the most important steps you can take toward meeting these goals – and making a less than ideal choice can drag down your profits. These tips below can guide you through the process of finding the best source of products for your business.

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Start Improving Your Last-Mile Delivery Today

As eCommerce sales continue to rise, so has consumer expectations of delivery transparency, accuracy, and speed. With pressure from Amazon and Walmart, most retailers are scrambling to find innovative ways to lower costs and increase shipping speeds of packages.

It’s no surprise then that last-mile delivery has become top of mind for most retailers. Those willing to invest in optimizing their processes could turn their logistics into their differentiator. In a time when customers no longer buy based on price alone, retailers must meet expectations on all other aspects of the customer experience.

If you want to improve your last-mile delivery this year, check out our overview of it that includes its challenges, innovative ways brands are tackling the issue, and what you can start doing today to improve your logistics. (more…)

What We’re Reading: Drop Shipping, AI, Voice of the Customer

This week we’re reading about all different types of retail topics. Check out articles about the adoption of drop shipping by retailers, what shoppers want from artificial intelligence, and how to create a Voice of the Customer program. You don’t want to miss out on these insightful articles!  (more…)