Are you considering moving your business to a fulfilment house? If so, there are a few things you need to do first. In this blog post, we’ll outline the 6 most important things you should take care of before making the switch. By taking care of these tasks, you’ll make the move to fulfilment much easier and less stressful. Keep reading for more information!
1. Get your packaging and shipping supplies ready
Before you start shipping your products, it’s important to make sure that you have the right packaging supplies on hand. Boxes, packaging tape, bubble wrap, and other materials will all be essential for keeping your items safe during transit. By taking the time to gather the necessary supplies in advance, you can avoid the stress of having to hunt for packaging materials at the last minute.
In addition, it’s always a good idea to order more packaging supplies than you think you’ll need. This way, you’ll be prepared for any unexpected shipping challenges that may arise. With a little planning and preparation, you can ensure that your packaging and shipping process goes as smoothly as possible.
2. Sort your products into categories
Sorting your products into categories can help to make your packaging process more efficient. By grouping similar products together, you can reduce the amount of time spent searching for the right packaging materials.
In addition, sorting products into categories can also help you to identify items that require special packaging or handling. For example, fragile items may need to be packed in bubble wrap or Styrofoam in order to prevent them from being damaged in transit. By taking the time to sort your products into categories, you can save time and ensure that your products arrive at their destination safely.
3. Create shipping labels
When you’re packaging up a shipment, the last thing you want to worry about is creating shipping labels. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to create labels that will make your life a lot easier. One of the simplest ways is to use a label maker. Label makers are relatively inexpensive and they allow you to create professional-looking labels in just a few minutes.
If you don’t have a label maker, you can also create labels using a word processing program like Microsoft Word. Simply create a new document and type in the information you need for your label. Then print the document on standard computer paper and cut out the labels with a scissors. Finally, if you’re in a hurry, you can always just hand-write your labels.
As long as the information is legible, it will get where it’s going. So don’t stress about creating shipping labels – with a little bit of planning, it’s easy to get it done quickly and efficiently.
4. Calculate the shipping weight and dimensions of each product
When you’re shipping products, it’s important to calculate the shipping weight and dimensions of each item. This way, you can determine the packaging requirements and ensure that your products will arrive safely at their destination. To calculate the shipping weight, simply weigh the product and add the weight of the packaging.
For dimensionalweight, measure the length, width, and height of the product (including packaging) and multiply by the dimensional factor. This will give you the dimensionalweight in pounds. Keep in mind that you may need to use a larger box if your product is oddly shaped. Once you have the shipping weight and dimensions of your product, you can determine the packaging requirements and shipping cost.
5. Find a fulfilment partner that meets your needs
There are a lot of companies out there that offer fulfilment services, but not all of them will be a good fit for your business. It’s important to find a partner that can meet your specific needs, whether it’s packaging, storage, or shipping. Take some time to assess your requirements and then shop around for a fulfilment partner that can provide what you’re looking for. Once you’ve found the right company, you’ll be able to focus on growing your business without having to worry about logistics.
6. Ship your products to the fulfilment centre
When you’re shipping products to a fulfilment centre, it’s important to use packaging that will keep your items safe and secure during transit. Boxes or padded envelopes are typically the best options for most items, but if you’re shipping something fragile, you may need to use additional packaging materials like bubble wrap or packing peanuts.
You’ll also want to make sure that your packaging is clearly labeled with your address and the address of the fulfilment centre. This will help ensure that your products arrive at their destination safely and on time.
Outsourcing your order fulfilment can be a great way to take some of the pressure off your team and free up more time to focus on other areas of your business. But it’s not always as easy as picking a fulfilment partner and handing over your products. There are a few things you need to do before you make the decision to outsource, and we’re here to help guide you through them. So, if you’re thinking about outsourcing your order fulfilment, give us call today. We can help you determine whether or not now is the right time for you and answer any other questions you may have about the process.
OFEX are the Order Fulfilment Experts. We provide an efficient, transparent service in order to take the stress of order fulfilment out of your hands. After all, the more time you have, the more opportunity you have to grow your business. If you’re interested in the order fulfilment opportunities OFEX can offer your business, contact us today. If you’re still not quite sure about making the move to outsource your fulfilment, OFEX is offering a free trial, so you can experience the benefits for free, risk-free.
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