Running an online store is an exciting and challenging experience. Things become even more fun when sales start trickling in. However, with more orders come new challenges and higher expectations from your customers.
All of a sudden, you realize you need a bigger warehouse to store your inventory and more employees to pick and pack orders. This is a stage where many entrepreneurs have to make a crucial decision regarding ecommerce fulfillment services.
Here, we explore what ecommerce fulfillment services are and why they matter.
What Are Ecommerce Fulfillment Services?
Fulfillment services handle the behind-the-scenes logistics work. They are responsible for picking, packing, and delivering orders. Most fulfillment services providers offer warehousing and storage services.
They will also help you handle returns using reverse logistics systems. Instead of housing your warehouse in your garage and having to rely on family members and friends to help you pack and label orders, you can depend on an ecommerce fulfillment services provider.
On the other hand, you can channel your energy toward scaling your business, marketing, and improving customer relationships.
Getting the Timing Right
Outsourcing fulfillment services requires planning. Not all businesses need third-party logistics services; getting the timing right is also critical. Below are some factors you should consider when planning to work with a 3PL services provider.
More Orders
Handling 10–30 orders a month is easy, and you can do it easily from your garage or spare bedroom. However, once you start receiving 200+ orders a month, picking, packing, and inventory management can become a little hectic.
Outsourcing ecommerce fulfillment services to Packageman will help you handle the logistics better. They will assist you in scaling efficiently, especially if your business is growing at a high rate.
When Your Inventory Grows
A big inventory means you need more storage space and a management system to help you track orders and ensure your stock doesn’t run out. Fulfillment companies have large warehouses with optimized management systems.
In the end, you don’t have to worry about renting extra space for storage.
Demand for Same-Day Shipping
Same-day shipping is a big part of today’s ecommerce space. Customers will most likely order from your store if you can offer same-day delivery. If your in-house system cannot keep up, the best option is to outsource help from ecommerce fulfillment services.
Growing Market
Once you start getting orders from more states or countries, it is time to scale your logistics services. International fulfillment is very complicated, and it necessitates expertise in knowing how things like taxes and shipping regulations work.
The best ecommerce fulfillment services providers can make overseas shipping simple and more efficient.
Benefits of Using Ecommerce Fulfillment Services
Outsourcing offers many benefits. You get the opportunity to focus your skills on growing your business. In addition, the cost savings are massive, especially if you operate multiple stores across various channels.
It also improves customer experience. You can offer same-day delivery for select products within a specific region, which is vital for customer experience.
The last thing is that you can scale your business without hiring more staff to pick, pack, and deliver customer orders. Instead, you can work with logistics specialists to help you scale and build your customer base.
Article and permission to publish here provided by Bailey Merton. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on August 25, 2025.
Cover photo by Adrian Sulyok on Unsplash.