In any business venture that is launching an online store the right logistics coordination is crucial to achieve the success of your business. Learn the top seven factors you need to know in planning for the long-term future of your online business.
Your e-commerce business has beaten the odds. It has grown from an idea that was on the inside of an envelope to an established company with real customers and real revenues. But, your accomplishments can lead to your demise in the event that the company spends too much money on logistics or aren’t shipping items in the manner that customers would expect.
Maybe you’re selling exclusive sustainable clothing or non-toxic pet toys or eco-friendly home décor. Whatever the mix of products your business may be well-positioned to overcome your current logistics for e-commerce. A dream that you’ve had for a long time could become a logistical nightmare. In the end, you might possess a degree in your field but logistical provider management is an art on its own.
One benefit of the digital native vertical brand is that your business won’t be burdened by outdated procedures and systems. You can implement the best practices right from the start rather than rediscovering them on the process. It is possible to integrate technology and analytics right from the bottom from the beginning to help reduce costs and keep the promises you make to your customers.
A wise person once stated “you’d better know how you can manage inventory, before it controls you”. The inventory you keep on a rack or shelf is your investment in the business. Monitoring inventory is crucial to your cash flow, and it opens the door for more intricate analysis that will help guide your thinking process.
Controlling logistics for eCommerce is essential as it is the foundation of your business. In the case of what stage you’re at you may need to collaborate with third-party vendors to store your items and provide your requirements.
When you’re planning your future company Here are some points you must think about to bring your e-commerce operations to the next stage.
Demand Planning
Retailers generally make their forecasts for inventory on data from the past. In the case of startups it’s possible that you don’t have the luxury of historical data. How do you determine the amount of inventory you’ll require? There are several methods to employ until you have your own sales record.
Begin by monitoring traffic to your site in addition to social media sharing. If your social media marketing efforts begin to pay off the demand for your products could increase, and you’ll need to be prepared. Consider seasonal trends, such as shifts in the weather, and seasonal purchases. If spring arrives earlier, outdoor products and clothes could be in high demand.
It is essential to ensure that you stock up for your marketing efforts, including discounts and the free-shipping thresholds. Warehouse space that can be expanded could aid in planning for a growing demands without having to pay for long-term leases.
Visibility
As the logistics requirements for your online business expand, it’s harder to grasp the bigger picture. Businesses that are experiencing rapid growth could add logistical capacity in a sporadic way, gluing on pieces to handle an increase in demand or the introduction of new products. Maybe you’ve opted to utilize multiple drop shippers, warehouses or other methods of logistics.
But, these pieces might not communicate efficiently, leaving the company with a distorted picture of their sales and inventory. It’s not easy to assess your complete inventory status and to have it reflect in the quantity count in your internal systems, as well as the website.
Customers want to determine if an product is in stock before they make a purchase. It’s a balance act to ensure that you have enough stock in stock, but not to overstocked inventory that is consuming the shelf space and cash. There are a variety of solutions based on the market you’re in and the ideal option is always a shifting direction. Find logistics companies that can assist you in establishing the operational and systemic discipline that makes your inventory function for you.
Free Shipping
A recent study found that 73% of online shoppers stated that free shipping without conditions as “critical” in their decision-making process as per Inc. magazine. Amazon has more than 100 million Prime customers around the world, Fortune magazine stated, which means that the convenience of shipping for free and speedy delivery is obviously important to customers.
The rise of free shipping can be an opportunity and a drawback for online sellers. It wasn’t long ago when a 10-day shipping time was the norm. Then , in 2014, delivery times dropped to around six days. In 2016, delivery times had dropped to three days. It’s now closer to two days, and sometimes even overnight for certain Amazon shipping.
The idea of shipping for free is the reason for many online purchases, however shipping is not cost-free to the customer. The shipping company must be as disciplined as is possible to cut costs while still giving the customer the service they expect.
Your customers are now expecting between two and three working days to receive their order However, they don’t wish to spend money for it. Marketing tactics such as minimum order sizes and promotions can drive orders using free shipping offers. A disciplined supply chain could reduce expenses to give free shipping an advantage in the market instead of a financial burden.
