Partnering with a fulfillment center is an excellent way to streamline inventory management and take the hassle out of shipping goods to your customers. But finding the best fulfillment centers for small businesses can be challenging because of the sheer number of options.
The FreightWaves Ratings team has done the legwork for you and compiled a list of the top eight fulfillment providers for small businesses. Using this list, you can find the ideal partner for your growing brand.
Quicklook: Best fulfillment centers for small businesses
- Best for businesses of all sizes: ShipBob
- Best for owners looking for custom solutions: Print Bind Ship
- Best for international fulfillment: FedEx Fulfillment
- Best for new business owners: Red Stag Fulfillment
- Best for providing 24-7 support: Phase V Fulfillment
- Best for all-in-one solutions: Shopify Fulfillment Services
- Best for scalable pricing: ShipMonk
- Best for startups: SaltBox
8 best fulfillment centers for small businesses
This list of the eight best fulfillment centers for small businesses includes:
ShipBob
ShipBob is the premier partner for business owners interested in growing their operations. The company can scale with you as the needs of your company change. It provides end-to-end fulfillment services and access to leading-edge software solutions.
Best for: Businesses of all sizes
Location of fulfillment warehouses: ShipBob has warehouses in Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, along with facilities in Australia, Canada and Europe
Shipping speeds: One to two days
Software order features:
- Integrations with Shopify
- User-friendly interface
- Easy setup process
- Inventory management
Packaging options: Standard and branded
Return management:
- Refund management
- Replacement product shipping
- Return acceptance and processing
Pricing: Receiving services cost $35 per hour per laborer for the first two hours. Additional hours are billed at $45 per person per hour. Warehousing costs $40 per pallet, and picking services are free for the first four picks, then run at 25 cents per pick for the fifth pick and after. Shipping and packing services vary based on several factors, including destination and product dimensions.
Print Bind Ship
Print Bind Ship is all about providing business owners with custom fulfillment solutions. It can tailor its service model and pricing to better align with the needs of your business. Print Bind Ship will also provide you with user-friendly software and assist with onboarding to facilitate a seamless transition.
Best for: Owners looking for custom solutions
Location of fulfillment warehouses:
- The United States
- Canada
- The United Kingdom
- The European Union
- Australia
Shipping speeds: One to three days
Software order features:
- Order tracking
- Aesthetically pleasing interface
- Onboarding process
Packaging options: Standard
Return management: Return order processing
Pricing: Contact for quote
FedEx Fulfillment
FedEx Fulfillment has long been one of the premier providers of fulfillment services. The company can assist with everything from logistics and packaging to return management. It offers international fulfillment and excellent delivery support for businesses of all sizes.
Best for: International fulfillment
Location of fulfillment warehouses: More than 220 international facilities
Shipping speeds: One to three days
Software order features:
- Order management
- Inventory tracking
- Integration with other FedEx solutions
Packaging options: Standard and branded
Return management:
- Refund processing
- Shipping replacement products
- Receiving returns
Pricing: Contact for quote
Red Stag Fulfillment
Red Stag Fulfillment offers a month-long free trial, so you can try out the solution before you commit to the provider. It’s a great option for new businesses, especially those that sell large or cumbersome products.
Best for: New business owners
Location of fulfillment warehouses: Knoxville and Sweetwater, Tennessee, and Salt Lake City, Utah
Shipping speeds: One to three days
Software order features:
- Order tracking
- Integrations
Packaging options: Standard
Return management:
- Return shipping management
- Replacement product shipping
Pricing: Contact for quote
Phase V Fulfillment
Phase V can help startups and small businesses optimize the efficiency of their fulfillment operations. It integrates into your existing online store and provides clear-cut pricing. Phase V will always keep you in the loop about your inventory and sales volume via its detailed reporting tools.
Best for: 24-7 support
Location of fulfillment warehouses: Arizona and Florida
Shipping speeds: One to three days
Software order features:
- Easy onboarding
- User-friendly interface
- Advanced reporting tools
Packaging options: Standard
Return management:
- Return and exchange processing
- Refund management
Pricing: Contact for quote
Shopify Fulfillment Network
If you’re already leveraging Shopify’s e-commerce platform, its fulfillment services can be a great addition to your business.
The Shopify Fulfillment Network was specifically designed to help small businesses grow. The platform assists with everything from choosing where to store your inventory to selecting product packaging options.
Best for: Businesses looking for an all-in-one solution
Location of fulfillment warehouses: Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Dallas and Atlanta
Shipping speeds: One to two days
Software order features:
- Warehouse management
- Inventory tracking
- Returns processing
- Integrates with your Shopify store
Packaging options: Standard
Return management:
- Exchange processing
- Receiving returns
- Refund processing
Pricing: Varies
ShipMonk
ShipMonk is one of the few fulfillment providers that doesn’t have a minimum order requirement, making it a good fit for businesses that are still finding their place in the e-commerce market. As your sales volume grows, ShipMonk’s per-unit pick fees will go down.
Best for: Scalable pricing
Location of fulfillment warehouses: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Los Angeles; Las Vegas; Dallas; Bay Shore, New York; Pittston, Pennsylvania; Dayton, New Jersey; Louisville, Kentucky; Tecate, Mexico; Ontario, Canada; and Coalville, U.K.
Shipping speeds: One to seven days
Software order features:
- Integrations with numerous platforms
- Intuitive platform
Packaging options: Standard and branded
Return management:
- Return processing
- Restocking
Pricing: Contact for quote
Saltbox
Saltbox’s services are geared toward small business owners and startups. The provider ships via FedEx, USPS and UPS but can offer access to discounted rates. It also offers flat-rate pick-and-pack pricing.
Best for: Startups
Location of fulfillment warehouses: Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, Dallas and Seattle
Shipping speeds: One to three days
Software order features:
- Integrations with online stores
- Simple-to-set-up platform
Packaging options: Standard and branded
Return management:
- Reverse inventory management
- Restocking
Pricing: Contact for quote
How do fulfillment centers work?
The premise of e-commerce fulfillment centers is relatively straightforward — when a customer places an order via your online store, the fulfillment provider receives a notification. It then gets to work picking, packing and shipping the order to the customer.
Fulfillment service providers also provide inventory monitoring, warehousing and return-management services. Typically, a fulfillment partner will disperse your products across several warehouses.
For instance, it may store some of your inventory in warehouses on the West Coast, East Coast and Midwest, enabling them to deliver goods quickly to customers across the nation.
What to consider with fulfillment centers for small businesses
When deciding whether to partner with one of these fulfillment centers for small businesses, consider factors like:
Volume of orders
Working with a fulfillment provider might negatively impact overall profitability if your business is still processing a relatively low volume of orders.
However, some fulfillment service providers specialize in working with small, local businesses and offer scalable pricing options so you can find something that fits your budget. With that in mind, it’s worth obtaining quotes from providers before making your final decision.
Software features
The best fulfillment centers for small businesses not only provide great service but also set you up for long-term success by offering access to leading-edge software.
Find out what software solutions each provider offers and choose a partner that delivers the most value for your business. Some solutions to look for include warehouse management software, delivery tracking tools and reporting capabilities to monitor sales volume.
Sales channels
Before you select a fulfillment partner, make sure its solutions can integrate with your existing sales channels. For instance, ShipBob’s solution includes Shopify integrations to connect the e-commerce platform with the fulfillment service provider’s technology.
Special handling needs
Do you ship fragile goods that require special handling considerations? If so, make sure your fulfillment partner has experience providing these types of services. Otherwise, you’ll be left with many broken products and unhappy customers.
Return management
Not all fulfillment partners offer return management. However, the top providers handle every aspect of the returns process, including communicating with customers, arranging return shipping and issuing refunds and replacements. Double-check that your provider offers this service if you want to derive the most value from your new partnership.
Are small-business fulfillment services right for you?
Most likely, yes. Just about every small business that sells physical goods could benefit from a partnership with a fulfillment center. It’s vital that you choose the right provider.
Even if your business is still in its infancy, an experienced fulfillment partner could help you navigate the challenges of fulfillment, warehousing and return management. In turn, this support could fuel the continued growth of your brand, boost customer satisfaction and maximize profitability.
FAQ
Working with a company that provides warehouse delivery and fulfillment services can certainly help your business boost productivity. However, you should consider factors like the costs of the services and your average sales volume to determine whether you’re ready to take on such a partner.
Partnering with a fulfillment warehouse allows you to outsource most (if not all) delivery and fulfillment-related responsibilities, giving you more time to focus on the day-to-day tasks involved in managing your business.
A third-party fulfillment provider handles fulfillment-related tasks for merchants and vendors. They assist with everything from warehousing to processing orders and return management.