It was in February of 2014 that Jeff Bezos announced on 60 minutes that Amazon was developing the technology to support a residential drone delivery solution. Fast forward to 2021, and Amazon is still testing residential delivery via drones, while UPS’s focus is on the business delivery. FedEx is also in the game, but to a lesser extent via a partnership with Wing Aviation.
The home delivery is the most important component of the e-commerce value proposition and we are starting to see that value proposition challenged via efforts to redirect residential deliveries to retail access points for consumer pick-up.
Online merchants, e-marketplaces, parcel carriers, and technology advancements each impact the e-commerce value proposition. In simple terms, that value proposition is still based on an innovative service offering: one with multiple features and benefits that make e-commerce attractive to the consumer and drive purchasing behavior. Some of the primary components of that value proposition include:
Amazon continues to drive change in the e-commerce arena, aggressively growing their next-day, Prime delivery initiative. Today, it is nearly impossible for most e-commerce merchants to offer the combination of free-shipping and next-day delivery to most of the continental US, without compromising profit using costly Express delivery services. However, by 2022, Amazon is on track to support affordable next-day delivery to most US addresses and, today, offers the largest on-demand, same-day delivery network, Amazon Flex, in North America.
Starting your own eCommerce venture is a labor of love. Beginning with conceptualizing and designing products to building a marketing strategy, and finally packing and shipping your products to customers – each step gets you closer to running a successful eCommerce enterprise. As your business expands, there will be lots to do, leaving you with little time to devote to the eCommerce fulfillment process. This is where a fulfillment partner can ease your burden, ensuring you stay on top of the packaging, shipping and delivery service. If you are considering outsourcing the order fulfillment process to a vendor, here are the top questions to ask a shipping company. Also, take a look at what you need to determine yourself before selecting an order fulfillment service provider.
Understanding the current market conditions sets your business up for growth. When market conditions surge in either direction, companies need to make sure they can keep up with trends and remain solvent in an evolving market. Inventory management remains crucial for both traditional and eCommerce businesses amid fluctuations in the economy and supply chains. A careful analysis of supply chain availability helps businesses predict and prevent inventory shortages during periods when supply does not meet the demands of consumers.
If you are an e-commerce retailer, at some point you may consider enlisting the services of a fulfillment center. Partnering with a fulfillment center has many benefits, but there are a few drawbacks as well. Here we’ll focus on what factors into fulfillment center costs, specifically those that may be prohibitive for a small business looking to expand its e-commerce presence.
The order fulfillment process includes all of the steps a company takes between receiving a new order and delivering it to the customer. An effective order fulfillment strategy is key to ensuring impeccable client service, which builds a good brand reputation for your e-commerce business. About 38% of online customers say that a negative delivery experience will deter them from shopping at that online store again. To prevent such an adverse outcome for your online business, you must manage and implement key steps in the order fulfillment process. Here are some important order fulfillment terms and related pricing.
Every company understands that the customer experience is an important one. Developing a seamless experience from the initial encounter, through the sale and beyond helps you create loyal customers that continue with your business into the future.
Learning how to improve customer service interactions helps businesses maintain client satisfaction and develop long-term retention. While you may have excellent products and services, your customer support staff is the driving force behind higher sales. As the faces of your business, these employees represent your company from the first interaction. As such, making sure that they are providing good service offers customer interaction benefits that include business growth and improved satisfaction throughout client relationships. Add the following tips to your new-hire and ongoing training regiments and help make sure that you help keep customers happy and fulfill their expectations throughout the sales process.
