| With the Internet boom, e-commerce is a top-notch | | | | storage center, from where the shipping request is |
| activity requiring more often a fulfillment service. If | | | | received, and the items ordered are automatically |
| you take online orders, an order fulfillment service | | | | packaged and shipped to the customer, in fact, a |
| can help you enormously, saving you from the | | | | drop shipping process. |
| tedious packing and shipping process that is probably | | | | Outsourcing your order fulfillment is convenient, even |
| not your core competency, as you probably have | | | | if you are just an individual running a small |
| not had the experience of a fulfillment company you | | | | e-commerce website. A fulfillment company for small |
| can partner with. | | | | commerce sites, independent vendors and individuals |
| By means of drop shipping, a form of blind shipping | | | | willing to start an e-commerce activity, will be pleased |
| of merchandise from the manufacturer to the | | | | to reply to all your enquires related to order |
| end-user, fulfillment companies are the helpful hand | | | | fulfillment and drop shipping, as well as its overall |
| saving your time. Otherwise, you would have to | | | | fulfillment service. |
| forward to the end-user the merchandise and the | | | | A few factors to consider when selecting a drop |
| lack of experience on this process may increase your | | | | shipping and fulfillment company is the location of the |
| costs and cause delay. | | | | fulfillment service, size of the storage facilities, |
| Because time can make the difference between a | | | | shipping options provided, turn-around time, order |
| successful e-commerce business and another closing | | | | fulfillment, communication between the company, the |
| sooner than you expected time, the choice of your | | | | distributor and customer service, error rate managed |
| fulfillment company is an important decision that you | | | | by the company as well as the gross costs of the |
| must analyze. Starting with the advantage of having | | | | service. |
| your inventory stored off-site, order fulfillment | | | | More than storage, shipping costs are the highest |
| enables the small e-commerce owner to store a | | | | item within e-commerce order fulfillment, so make |
| larger quantity and variety of inventory. | | | | sure to find a fulfillment company offering you a |
| The fulfillment service will be in charge to receive and | | | | savings in delivery, and depending on your |
| organize your inventory in its land-based storage | | | | e-commerce approach, verify if the company |
| service, while you will be able to log in through the | | | | provides domestic and international shipping, returns |
| fulfillment company's web-based interface to check | | | | processing, secure payment gateway, electronic |
| your current inventory and the drop shipping history | | | | support, online ordering, reporting and tracking, as |
| of each item. Many online e-commerce sites and small | | | | well as a customer service call center. |
| retailers use drop shipment to close their deals, as an | | | | Copyright @2006, 4th Media Corporation |
| example, eBay sellers. | | | | You have permission to publish this article |
| Order fulfillment can be tracked online and even | | | | electronically free of charge, as long as the bylines |
| automated, accepting shipping requests via your | | | | and links in the body of the article and the bylines are |
| web-based application, emailing the invoices | | | | included. |
| generated directly to the fulfillment company's | | | | |