Shopify Fulfilment Services Everything You Need to Know 2024

As customers increasingly expect fast deliveries, a slow order fulfilment process can result in abandoned carts and lost sales. For Shopify store owners aiming to challenge it, optimising your fulfilment is crucial. Despite being often overlooked, efficient fulfilment can be the key to business growth.

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Planning logistics and fulfilment operations may seem daunting, from stock management to last-mile delivery, the process is complex. Thankfully, numerous fulfilment service providers help Shopify shop owners scale effectively. 

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In this guide, we'll explore the basics of Shopify fulfilment services and the essentials of partnering with a third-party fulfilment provider.

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1. Fulfilment is pivotal for your Shopify store's success

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Here's how:

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When fulfilment is smooth sailing, customers receive their orders quickly and as expected. They're thrilled and spread the word, boosting your reputation and drawing in more business.

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But, if fulfilment falls short, delays, and mistakes can leave customers frustrated and disappointed. This damages your reputation and drives customers away.

^{63% of consumers are unlikely to return after a negative fulfilment experience!}

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2. What is Shopify Fulfilment Network? 

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The Shopify Fulfilment Network (SFN) serves as Shopify's dedicated fulfilment service, enabling brands to efficiently manage inventory storage and fulfil customer orders. Introduced in 2019, SFN was designed to provide fulfilment capabilities tailored to e-commerce brands leveraging the Shopify platform.

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Shopify Fulfilment Network has its limitations:

• Limited coverage: SFN is currently available only in the United States.
• Inventory restrictions: SFN has limitations on the types of products it can store and fulfil, such as perishable goods like food supplements or items with specific storage requirements like delicate garments.
• Integration challenges: SFN may pose challenges for merchants using third-party systems or custom solutions.
• Loss of control: Merchants can lose some control over branding, packaging, and customer communication when using SFN.

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3. How to partner with a 3PL for your Shopify stores

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3.1 Send your stocks to your 3PL 

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The collaboration with an outsourced fulfilment service provider starts with merchants sending their products to their fulfilment centres. 

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3PLs with a well-connected network of fulfilment centres worldwide, advanced technology to automate inventory processes, and data analytics for smarter supply chain decisions.

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3.2 Save on shipping costs with your 3PL 

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3PLs team up with carriers to give you lots of affordable shipping choices. They pick the best carriers for your shipments, like Bigblue partnering with over 20 major European carriers such as Royal Mail, Mondial Relay, and Colissimo. 

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This helps make online shopping better with quicker and cheaper deliveries! 

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Moreover, you can rely on your 3PL to share their expertise in suggesting packaging solutions and eco-friendly practices. Trust them to provide valuable guidance for optimal packaging choices, contributing to environmentally conscious shipping practices.

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3.3 Enjoy the expertise of your 3PL 

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By prioritising customer satisfaction, you not only secure great reviews but also ensure a promising future for your shop. This comprehensive approach covers inventory management, order management, and efficient packing and shipping.
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It will make your collaboration with a Shopify fulfilment service a strategic advantage in the competitive e-commerce landscape. Offer the best customer experience and increase your sales! 

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4. How to set up Bigblue with your Shopify store

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Fast-growing Shopify merchants have partnered with Bigblue to help meet customer expectations, reduce cart abandonment and boost their conversion rate.

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Bigblue simplifies e-commerce fulfilment by handling warehousing and shipping. 

A tech-enabled 3PL provides inventory levels tracking tools to check stock levels in real-time, set reorder points, avoid stockouts, and analyse sales performance.

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With Bigblue, e-commerce businesses can save time on daily logistics operations management. Its network of distribution centres and advanced Warehouse Management System (WMS) ensure efficient storage and streamlined processes. 

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Additionally, Bigblue allows you to use custom packaging options to enhance the unboxing experience and negotiates carrier discounts to pass savings on to customers.

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To get started, here are simple steps on how to connect Shopify to Bigblue.

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Step 1:

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Login to your Bigblue account and open the Shop Integrations to connect your Shopify shop by clicking on "Connect a Shop." Choose Shopify, click Next, and then add the app from the Shopify App Store. In the welcome pop-up, indicate that you already have a Bigblue account. 

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Step 2: 

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Configure the auto-fulfilment option on Shopify. Navigate to your Shopify admin page and access Settings > Checkout and Accounts. Locate the Order processing section and choose "Do not automatically fulfil any of the order's line items." 

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It's important to note that Bigblue processes Shopify orders only after payment has been received, thanks to the implemented filter by payment status. This ensures a seamless integration between your shop and Bigblue for efficient order fulfilment.

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Step 3: 

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To start linking your Shopify products to Bigblue, you can use the auto-link feature in the Bigblue app. Ensure your Bigblue products have matching barcodes or SKUs with Shopify. Access the Shop Integrations tab, configure preferences, and click "Start" to auto-link. 

And that’s all, you are all set up! 

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As global e-commerce sales are set to reach $6.3 trillion in 2024, the importance of efficient fulfilment for Shopify store owners cannot be overstated.

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By partnering with a 3PL, businesses can benefit from cost-effective shipping, expert advice, and improved customer satisfaction.

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Shopify fulfilment services providers excel in picking, packing, and shipping orders, setting the stage for success for your Shopify store.

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