Whether you need to fulfill orders domestically or abroad, it is vital that you choose the top order fulfillment provider available. A great order fulfillment provider will oversee tedious aspects of shipping products so that you can focus on running your business.
In order to help you find the right partner for your company’s needs, we have created this guide to the best order fulfillment companies out there. We also answer basic questions like “What is order fulfillment?” and “How can I improve my order fulfillment capabilities?”
Quick Look: Best Order Fulfillment Companies
- Best For Enterprise Brands: ShipBob
- Best For Vehicle Transport: Uship
- Best For Book & Physical Print: Print Bind Ship
- Best For Software Solutions: ShipMonk
- Best For Price & Transparency: Deliverr
- Best For International Shipping & Large Volume: Fulfillment.com
6 Best Order Fulfillment Companies Available Today
The six best order fulfillment companies available today are the following:
ShipBob
Best for: Enterprise Brands
ShipBob is valued at over $1 billion. The company continued to experience meteoric growth throughout 2021 — a trend that is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.
ShipBob has a dynamic cloud-based platform for order management. It also has shipping warehouses and fulfillment centers located both domestically and abroad. ShipBob can help facilitate fast direct-to-consumer fulfillment across the globe.
Uship
Best for: Vehicle Transport
uShip is a unique online marketplace for individuals and businesses in need of shipping services. Uship connects shippers with carriers to facilitate the transport of vehicles, motorcycles, freight, boats, heavy equipment, and furniture.
uShip gives shippers the freedom to choose the driver and price that best meets their needs. While Uship specializes in automotive transport, its network of carriers can also haul the other items mentioned above.
If you want the ability to choose your own rates, GPS tracking, and 50-state shipping services, Uship may be a good choice for your business.
Print Bind Ship
Best for: Book & Physical Print
Print Bind Ship provides clients with multiple packaging options and access to regional fulfillment centers throughout the Midwestern United States. The company can produce books or magazines and provide on-demand binding services.
When using traditional book printing methods, publishers may have to work with 2 or 3 separate vendors. This approach can drive up the cost of printing and create logistical nightmares. Print Bind Ship eliminates this pain point by offering all of these services under one roof.
The Print Bind Ship team also offers custom package creation. This service is particularly appealing to subscription box companies that need design and fulfillment solutions.
ShipMonk
Best for: Software Solutions
ShipMonk utilizes leading-edge software solutions to provide clients with world-class service. Their cutting-edge software is used to manage return services, track shipments, and much more. Customers rave about ShipMonk and its seamless order fulfillment process.
When using ShipMonk, you will have access to an intuitive fulfillment dashboard. This dashboard allows you to track product status in real-time, monitor performance, and calculate the best available shipping rates. These tools will help you improve margins and cut shipping costs.
Deliverr
Best for: Price & Transparency
Deliverr is committed to providing clients with a simple order fulfillment experience and total pricing transparency. They most certainly deliver.
On their website, they have invested substantial resources towards itemizing and calculating specific order fulfillment expenses. They’ll break down your costs line by line so that you know exactly what you are paying for. You can obtain a simplified itemized list for just about any product you are researching or selling.
Fulfillment.com
Best for: International Shipping & Large Volume
With fulfillment centers located around the world, Fulfillment.com has the network and resources necessary to meet your international shipping needs. The platform also integrates with all major ecommerce software.
For brands with thousands of daily orders, Fulfillment.com is the ideal partner. They can help you scale your capabilities to meet growing client demands for your products. Fulfillment.com even allows you to facilitate custom integrations using their API.
What Is an Order Fulfillment Company?
An order fulfillment company is a third-party provider that fulfills orders. They typically provide shipping warehouses, product storage, return services, and shipping solutions. These companies ensure that your products are delivered to customers in a timely manner so that you do not have to fulfill orders in-house.
How Does an Order Fulfillment Company Work?
An order fulfillment company is deeply involved in the product delivery process. First, it will receive your products from a manufacturer and store them in a warehouse.
The company will then receive incoming orders, retrieve from inventory, and package them prior to shipping them to their customers. The fulfillment company will also ship the orders to customers and process any returns.
How to Choose an Order Fulfillment Company
When selecting an order fulfillment company, consider the following factors:
Cost
Cost is always a top consideration for businesses as they explore outsourcing opportunities. If you are looking to partner with a fulfillment company, we suggest obtaining multiple quotes. While a small difference in price may seem negligible, the impact of this variation will compound as your order volume increases.
Software Integrations
Most modern fulfillment companies will have the capabilities to integrate with your existing ecommerce platform. However, you should never assume this is the case. Find out what software integration capabilities a fulfillment company possesses before partnering with them.
Specialization
As discussed above, some fulfillment centers specialize in specific product types. For instance, Uship primarily provides auto transport. While they offer other types of services, you should seek out a partner that offers the type of solutions that best aligns with your company’s needs.
Shipping Warehouse
Thanks to companies like Amazon, consumers now expect to receive their packages in days, not weeks.
If a fulfillment company wants to provide your customers with the same sort of turnaround on orders, they must have shipping warehouses in or near the regions you serve. Otherwise, they may not be able to offer prompt turnaround times on orders.
Return Services
Managing returns is one of the most frustrating components of order fulfillment. Fortunately, many of the top companies offer return services, which means that you won’t have to deal with this logistical nightmare. Effective return services not only take some responsibilities off your plate but they also improve customer satisfaction.
Packaging Options
The best order fulfillment companies offer multiple different packaging options. This variety is important for several reasons. First, you will need different-sized packages if you offer products of varying dimensions. Second, mixing up your packaging every now and then can keep customers excited about ordering your products.
Choosing an Order Fulfillment Company
While all of the order fulfillment companies outlined above have some great qualities, not all of them will be the right fit for your business. When choosing an order fulfillment partner, find the provider that offers the best combination of support, services, and value for your company.
By using this approach, you can get the most out of your new business relationship and access the resources your company needs to grow.
FAQ
The three key functions of order fulfillment are picking, packing, and shipping.
The best way to improve your order fulfillment is to outsource. A third-party provider has the knowledge, resources, and expertise necessary to streamline your fulfillment operations.
Your fulfillment strategy is your game plan for getting products from the manufacturing facility to paying customers. This strategy should address production, storage, delivery, and everything in between.
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