Choosing the right e-commerce order fulfillment management software for your business can be the best thing that can ever happen to your e-commerce business, yet it can be a very rigorous decision-making process.
Our post, Top 8 Tips to Choose the Best Order Fulfillment Management Software for Your E-commerce Business will simplify the process of choosing an order fulfillment software for your business out of the pool of several options to pick from.
Selligate simplifies the order fulfillment process into 5 steps but the question remains why should E-commerce businesses adopt order fulfillment management software?
The Importance of Order Fulfillment Management Software for E-commerce Businesses
It is no surprise that E-commerce businesses that use order fulfillment management software exhibit faster growth, higher profitability, and greater customer satisfaction compared to those that rely on manual order processing. Come to think of it.
You cannot compare the productivity of an automated system with the fill-in-the-sheets process of an order fulfillment management system.
E-commerce businesses that implement order fulfillment software experience an average increase in sales of 15% within the first year. Let’s further explore the differences between E-commerce Businesses that use order fulfillment management software and those that do not.
| Factor | E-commerce with Order Fulfillment Software | E-commerce without Order Fulfillment Software |
| Order Processing Efficiency | Highly efficient and automated order processing, reducing time and effort spent on manual tasks. | Manual order processing is prone to errors and delays, hindering order fulfillment speed. |
| Order Accuracy | High order accuracy due to automated verification and validation of order details. | Prone to errors in picking, packing, and shipping orders, leading to customer dissatisfaction and returns. |
| Inventory Management | Real-time visibility into inventory levels, enabling proactive stock replenishment and preventing stockouts. | Limited visibility into inventory levels, increasing the risk of stockouts and overstocking. |
| Customer Satisfaction | Timely and accurate order fulfillment contributes to positive customer experiences and repeat business. | Delayed and inaccurate orders lead to customer dissatisfaction, returns, and negative reviews. |
| Scalability for Growth | Order fulfillment software scales with business growth, accommodating increasing order volumes without compromising efficiency. | Manual order processing becomes increasingly difficult to manage as order volumes grow, hindering business growth. |
| Cost Management | Reduced labor costs, shipping costs, and inventory shrinkage due to automation and efficiency gains. | Increased labor costs, shipping costs, and inventory shrinkage due to manual processes and errors. |
| Profitability | Improved profitability due to cost savings and increased customer satisfaction. | Lower profitability due to higher costs and customer dissatisfaction. |
| Competitive Advantage | Order fulfillment software provides a competitive edge by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. | Businesses without order fulfillment software struggle to compete with those that have implemented this technology. |
As shown above, the importance of having order fulfillment management software for e-commerce businesses far outweighs e-commerce businesses that do not have one.
Order Fulfillment Management Software has emerged as an indispensable tool for businesses that strive to deliver exceptional customer experiences and achieve sustainable growth. It plays a pivotal role in streamlining and optimizing the order fulfillment process, ensuring that products reach customers promptly and accurately.
The dream of every business owner is to grow however choosing the right system is one of the hassles businesses must navigate. These are the 8 tips for choosing the Right Order Fulfillment Management Software.
Top 8 Tips to Choose the Best Order Fulfillment Management Software for Your E-commerce Business
Tip 1: Understand Your Business Needs
What are the specific needs of your business? Do you need an OMS that can handle high-volume orders? Do you need an OMS that can integrate with your existing e-commerce platform? Do you need an OMS that can provide real-time order tracking? These are questions you need to answer.
You need to assess your current and projected order volume, as well as the complexity of your products and order fulfillment processes. Identify your fulfillment goals and priorities (e.g. delivery within 3 hours). Ensure to also evaluate budget and resource constraints.
Tip 2: Research and Shortlist Order Fulfillment Solutions
At this stage, you need to do diligent research on the available order fulfillment management software available on the internet, gather information from industry reviews, conduct case studies and consult with E-commerce experts.
Tip 3: Consider Scalability and Growth Potential
As your business grows, you will need Order Management Software that can scale to meet your needs. Make sure your choice is scalable so you don’t have to switch systems in the future. Choose an Order Fulfillment Management Software that can accommodate your future growth. Ensure the software you consider choosing can handle increasing order volumes. You can do this by reading reviews online and performing demos.
Tip 4: Evaluate Features and Functionality
Once you have a good understanding of your business needs, you can start to research the features of different OMS software. Some of the most important features to consider include:
- Order processing and fulfillment
- Inventory management
- Customer relationship management (CRM)
- Reporting and analytics
- Scalability
Tip 5: Assess Integrations and Compatibility
If you are already using an e-commerce platform, make sure the OMS you choose integrates with that platform. This will save you time and money in the long run.
Tip 6: Request Demos and Free Trials
Most order fulfillment management software vendors offer free but limited versions of their software. This is a great way to see how the software works and ask questions about specific features. You can test the software’s integration capabilities with your existing systems with the help of a developer.
Tip 7: Seek Expert Guidance and Recommendations
Consult with experienced e-commerce consultants, and seek advice from Industry experts and peers. You can leverage recommendations from E-commerce community forums.
Tip 8: Make an Informed Decision and Implement Effectively
The last step is to evaluate the Software’s overall value proposition, and consider long-term cost considerations, and return on investment. Ensure to implement the software with proper training and support.
Choosing the Right Order Fulfillment Management Software is a strategic investment for e-commerce businesses on the journey to scale. By following these tips, you can find Order Fulfillment Management Software that meets your specific needs and helps you achieve your business goals.
Read Also: 5 Steps to Deliver Your Product to a Customer in Ghana within 3 hours using Selligate