Comprehensive Overview of E-commerce Order Fulfilment Process

The commitment to deliver the products coupled with potential difficulties completes the definition of order fulfilment. From receiving the order to packing and shipping it, order fulfillment is more than what it looks like. It’s rather a promise to serve your customers at the right time and the right place.

E-commerce trade in the nation has progressed immensely. From retail giants to small and local businesses, e-commerce has become an integral part. Now the government of India has also introduced some rules and regulations, to assist the e-commerce businesses to run smoothly. But when we go deeper into the process of online delivery, what do you think are the factors involved? And what are the risks aligned with those factors? Well, as said earlier, it is not a process of mere two or three steps, but an amalgamation of procedures to deliver the product.

“If the customers don’t receive their orders in time, they either cancel the order or fail to be on your loyal customers’ list.”

To attain the trust of your customers, you must strengthen your fulfilment services. Not only does it improve your customers’ order journey, but it also improves your reputation in the market. Here’s a step-by-step guide that will enhance your fulfilment process!

6 steps guide to improving your order fulfilment process!


1. Storage of Inventory

Also known as warehousing, storage of inventory is one of the crucial steps in the inventory management process. From managing the flow of supply to arranging the inventory in order, inventory storage has to be done carefully. The main chore is to arrange the inventory in suitable shelves and bins while keeping a close look at what order comes in first and what goes out next! There are various ways to determine the flow of your inventory.

“To avoid any mess, tag the inventory with correct labels, so you won’t lose the count of your inventory.”

Quick tip: Supporting businesses of varying size & complexity including B2B marketplace support & omnichannel use-case, ANS Commerce manages warehousing, and supply chain execution across channels. Request your free DEMO now!

2. Receiving Orders

The second step in the fulfilment process is receiving the order. Either you receive the order manually or incorporate software to get the orders directly. After you have successfully received all the orders, sort them by the dates of the delivery. Make those orders your priority which is to be delivered in a single day. You can start by sending your customers email confirmation, saying you have received the order, and you will get back to them soon. This confirmation works as an assurance message, strengthening your relationship with the customers.

“Make your email confirmation to the point with customer-friendly content. Add a sense of personalization by addressing them with their names.”

3. Order Processing or Inventory Picking

Picking constitutes checking the storehouse for a suitable order and picking it for delivery. To regulate optimized picking, you must ensure the previous step is done accurately. Order processing can include picking of more than one order to be delivered at more than one location. When your orders increase with time, it is essential you hire a staff to accelerate your growth. You can also outsource order fulfillment services to companies who are specialized in it.

“By outsourcing order fulfillment services, you won’t have to go into the essence of the warehousing and fulfillment process.”

Quick tip: To help you focus on other important things, ANS Commerce India’s #1 full-stack e-commerce enabler manages the warehouse and supply chain across all channels, including multi-category storage support and return management with JIT flexibility. Request your free DEMO now!

4. Order packaging

With packaging, your branding comes into play. It’s one of the elements that reflect your brand’s identity. Focusing on this process is rather important because it’s part of the end product. Your customer won’t just receive the product but your brand’s label. So make it look charming while keeping it sturdy as your package will go through various stages before it will be delivered. Also, the packaging totally depends on the nature of the good. For example: if the product involves a breakable material such as glass, pack it properly with cardboard packaging to ensure it doesn’t break in the shipping process.

“Use a type of packaging that’s more durable than mere fancy.”

5. Shipping of the order

To get the goods delivered safely and timely, the shipping process plays an important role. Based on the size, weight, and nature of the order, the best shipping method is used. Generally, businesses contact a third-party carrier for shipping services. Make sure the carrier partner you assign provides your customers with a flawless experience.

“After you ship the order, send your customer shipping confirmation immediately, maintaining a trusted relationship.”

6. Return Order processing

Usually, the steps of order fulfillment take a halt before this process. But to be one step ahead of your competition, you must provide a return or exchange service. Depending on the quality of the item or the reason for the return, you can restock it in the warehouse. Furthermore, to ensure the refunding of the products happens efficiently, you may need to set return policies that are in favour of both you and the customer.

“You can also automate the process of return management to avoid any further hassles.”

Quick tip: Return management is effective to boost your sales. If you can’t do it, seek our help for the same. From receiving, re-labelling to packing products with better QC standards, we ensure efficient return management without any hassles. Request your free DEMO now!

How can we help you?

If you are worried about how to manage your inventory, then we are here to assist. With end-to-end fulfillment and logistics- from the product in warding to delivery, ANS Commerce is specialized to cater to all your e-commerce needs. We manage the warehouse and supply chain across all channels, including multi-category storage support and return management with JIT flexibility. Request your free DEMO now!

What can you expect from ANS Commerce?

  1. Order processing: We handle the complete ‘pick-patch-dispatch’ process and the manifestation of your B2C orders, including B2B marketplace delivery with integrated logistics
  2. Return Management: We receive, re-label, and pack products with better QC standards; report cancellations, and returns

Third-party coordination: We ensure timely delivery with an optimized cost for both domestic and international inventories. Also, we enable marketplace shipment with trusted partners – Delhivery, Bluedart, FedEx, India Post, etc.

Offer fast and efficient fulfillment services to get your customer’s attention. Also, keep in mind the above six steps to provide seamless delivery. Remember, if they don’t receive their order on time, they wouldn’t bother purchasing from you in the future. To build a future understanding, order fulfillment is the most crucial concept you need to pay attention to. For any further e-commerce queries, you can reach out to us anytime.

Comprehensive Overview of E-commerce Order Fulfilment Process

Written by
Nivea
Category
Warehousing
Published on
Jan 22, 2021
Written by
Nivea
Category
Warehousing
Published on
February 27, 2024

The commitment to deliver the products coupled with potential difficulties completes the definition of order fulfilment. From receiving the order to packing and shipping it, order fulfillment is more than what it looks like. It’s rather a promise to serve your customers at the right time and the right place.

E-commerce trade in the nation has progressed immensely. From retail giants to small and local businesses, e-commerce has become an integral part. Now the government of India has also introduced some rules and regulations, to assist the e-commerce businesses to run smoothly. But when we go deeper into the process of online delivery, what do you think are the factors involved? And what are the risks aligned with those factors? Well, as said earlier, it is not a process of mere two or three steps, but an amalgamation of procedures to deliver the product.

“If the customers don’t receive their orders in time, they either cancel the order or fail to be on your loyal customers’ list.”

To attain the trust of your customers, you must strengthen your fulfilment services. Not only does it improve your customers’ order journey, but it also improves your reputation in the market. Here’s a step-by-step guide that will enhance your fulfilment process!

6 steps guide to improving your order fulfilment process!


1. Storage of Inventory

Also known as warehousing, storage of inventory is one of the crucial steps in the inventory management process. From managing the flow of supply to arranging the inventory in order, inventory storage has to be done carefully. The main chore is to arrange the inventory in suitable shelves and bins while keeping a close look at what order comes in first and what goes out next! There are various ways to determine the flow of your inventory.

“To avoid any mess, tag the inventory with correct labels, so you won’t lose the count of your inventory.”

Quick tip: Supporting businesses of varying size & complexity including B2B marketplace support & omnichannel use-case, ANS Commerce manages warehousing, and supply chain execution across channels. Request your free DEMO now!

2. Receiving Orders

The second step in the fulfilment process is receiving the order. Either you receive the order manually or incorporate software to get the orders directly. After you have successfully received all the orders, sort them by the dates of the delivery. Make those orders your priority which is to be delivered in a single day. You can start by sending your customers email confirmation, saying you have received the order, and you will get back to them soon. This confirmation works as an assurance message, strengthening your relationship with the customers.

“Make your email confirmation to the point with customer-friendly content. Add a sense of personalization by addressing them with their names.”

3. Order Processing or Inventory Picking

Picking constitutes checking the storehouse for a suitable order and picking it for delivery. To regulate optimized picking, you must ensure the previous step is done accurately. Order processing can include picking of more than one order to be delivered at more than one location. When your orders increase with time, it is essential you hire a staff to accelerate your growth. You can also outsource order fulfillment services to companies who are specialized in it.

“By outsourcing order fulfillment services, you won’t have to go into the essence of the warehousing and fulfillment process.”

Quick tip: To help you focus on other important things, ANS Commerce India’s #1 full-stack e-commerce enabler manages the warehouse and supply chain across all channels, including multi-category storage support and return management with JIT flexibility. Request your free DEMO now!

4. Order packaging

With packaging, your branding comes into play. It’s one of the elements that reflect your brand’s identity. Focusing on this process is rather important because it’s part of the end product. Your customer won’t just receive the product but your brand’s label. So make it look charming while keeping it sturdy as your package will go through various stages before it will be delivered. Also, the packaging totally depends on the nature of the good. For example: if the product involves a breakable material such as glass, pack it properly with cardboard packaging to ensure it doesn’t break in the shipping process.

“Use a type of packaging that’s more durable than mere fancy.”

5. Shipping of the order

To get the goods delivered safely and timely, the shipping process plays an important role. Based on the size, weight, and nature of the order, the best shipping method is used. Generally, businesses contact a third-party carrier for shipping services. Make sure the carrier partner you assign provides your customers with a flawless experience.

“After you ship the order, send your customer shipping confirmation immediately, maintaining a trusted relationship.”

6. Return Order processing

Usually, the steps of order fulfillment take a halt before this process. But to be one step ahead of your competition, you must provide a return or exchange service. Depending on the quality of the item or the reason for the return, you can restock it in the warehouse. Furthermore, to ensure the refunding of the products happens efficiently, you may need to set return policies that are in favour of both you and the customer.

“You can also automate the process of return management to avoid any further hassles.”

Quick tip: Return management is effective to boost your sales. If you can’t do it, seek our help for the same. From receiving, re-labelling to packing products with better QC standards, we ensure efficient return management without any hassles. Request your free DEMO now!

How can we help you?

If you are worried about how to manage your inventory, then we are here to assist. With end-to-end fulfillment and logistics- from the product in warding to delivery, ANS Commerce is specialized to cater to all your e-commerce needs. We manage the warehouse and supply chain across all channels, including multi-category storage support and return management with JIT flexibility. Request your free DEMO now!

What can you expect from ANS Commerce?

  1. Order processing: We handle the complete ‘pick-patch-dispatch’ process and the manifestation of your B2C orders, including B2B marketplace delivery with integrated logistics
  2. Return Management: We receive, re-label, and pack products with better QC standards; report cancellations, and returns

Third-party coordination: We ensure timely delivery with an optimized cost for both domestic and international inventories. Also, we enable marketplace shipment with trusted partners – Delhivery, Bluedart, FedEx, India Post, etc.

Offer fast and efficient fulfillment services to get your customer’s attention. Also, keep in mind the above six steps to provide seamless delivery. Remember, if they don’t receive their order on time, they wouldn’t bother purchasing from you in the future. To build a future understanding, order fulfillment is the most crucial concept you need to pay attention to. For any further e-commerce queries, you can reach out to us anytime.