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How I Help DTC Startups with Ecommerce Fulfilment Success

Picture of Ian Spencer By  Ian Spencer  ·  3 minute read

Hey there startup trail blazer! If you're running an ecommerce / direct-to-consumer (DTC) brand, you know the fulfilment game isn't just about boxes and shipping labels.

It's about customer experience, brand reputation, and ultimately, your bottom line.

I've partnered with countless startups to transform fulfilment from a necessary evil into a powerful competitive advantage. Forget the "set it and forget it" mentality – fulfilment can be your secret weapon for growth.

The Fulfilment Trap: Why Most Startups Get It Wrong

Most startups fall into one of two traps:

  1. The DIY Disaster: They try to handle fulfilment in-house for too long, quickly becoming overwhelmed by logistics, inventory management, and customer service nightmares. The avg time spend on pick, pack and delivery by a founder doing their own in-house fulfilment is about 1hr43mins per day if you are shipping 5 order per day. Just think what you could do with that time back.
  2. The "One-Size-Fits-All" 3PL: They partner with a generic third-party logistics (3PL) provider who treats them like just another number, offering cookie-cutter solutions that don't align with their unique brand. A bad 3PL can kill your customer experience as much as a good 3PL can be your competitive edge.

The result? Slow shipping times, high costs, poor communication, slow issue resolution, frustrated customers, and missed growth opportunities.

My Unconventional Approach to Fulfilment

I believe fulfilment should be more than just a back-end operation. It should be an extension of your brand, a reflection of your values, and a driver of customer delight.

Here's how I approach it:

  1. Strategic Alignment: I start by understanding your brand, your customers, your products, your communication style and your growth goals. This helps me identify the ideal 3PL partner who aligns with your specific needs and values.

  2. Customisation is Key: I work with 3PLs who offer flexible, customisable solutions tailored to your unique requirements. This might include branded packaging, custom inserts, or special handling instructions.

  3. Speed and Reliability: In the world of ecommerce, speed is everything. I prioritise 3PLs that balance cost and performance with fast shipping times, reliable delivery, and transparent tracking. (Note - The cheapest 3PLs usually fail here)

  4. Tech-Enabled Solutions: I partner with 3PLs who embrace technology, offering integrations with your ecommerce platform (multiple sales channels), real-time inventory visibility, automated order management and order tracking.

  5. Value-Added Services: Fulfilment isn't just about shipping boxes. I partner with 3PLs who offer value-added services like kitting, assembly, returns management, and even customer support.

Turning Fulfilment into a Competitive Advantage

With the right approach, fulfilment can become your secret weapon. Here are just a few ways it can give you an edge:

  • Faster Shipping Times: Delight customers with lightning-fast delivery, outpacing your competitors and driving repeat purchases. If you are sending orders cross-boarder it might be beneficial to store product in a different country to reduce shipping times and costs.
  • Lower Shipping Costs: Optimise your shipping strategy to reduce costs and improve profit margins. There is a lot of last mile carriers available and the 3PLs I partner with work with multiple carriers.
  • Branded Packaging: Create a memorable unboxing experience that reinforces your brand identity and fosters customer loyalty. If you just want simple plain packaging to start there are other ideas to help if you want to create an unboxing experience.
  • Personalised Touches: Include handwritten notes, free samples, or surprise gifts to create a lasting impression.
  • Seamless Returns: Make returns easy and hassle-free, boosting customer satisfaction and reducing churn.

Case Studies (Because Results Speak Louder Than Words)

  • Luxury Skincare Brand: A luxury skincare brand I worked with saw a 19% increase in average order value in their first 3 months of partnering with our 3PL partner who specialised in high-end product fulfilment. The 3PL sprinkled that extra magic, resolving every teething issues in less than 1 working day.
  • Subscription Box Company: A children's activity subscription box company experienced a 32% decrease in customer churn by switching to our 3PL partner with a proven track record in subscription fulfilment.
  • Yoga Brand: A yoga brand strengthened increased their total monthly order volume by more than 2000 within 4 months of partnering with our 3PL partner who offered multi-location fulfilment (UK and Netherlands).

Ready to Transform Your Fulfilment?

If you're ready to turn fulfilment into a competitive advantage for your ecommerce or DTC brand, I'm here to help.

Let's discuss your unique needs and goals, and find the perfect 3PL partner to take your business to the next level.

Remember, fulfilment isn't just about logistics. It's about creating an exceptional customer experience that drives growth and builds your brand.

If you want to run the process of finding a 3PL yourself, you can also Get Free Quotes from our 3PL partners.