Why outsource your e-commerce logistics?
Today, hundreds of e-commerce sites are springing up all over the world. However, logistics for an e-commerce site require a lot of time for order preparation, shipping, quality control...
Outsourcing your e-commerce logistics to an external service provider offers many advantages. Focus on your business and save time by following our advice.
Outsourcing your e-commerce logistics: what does it involve?
Outsourcing e-commerce logistics involves entrusting the management of your logistics to a service provider known as a logistician, from order processing to storage and delivery.
In concrete terms, it will take care of the following steps:
Order acceptance
Inventory management
The inventory
Order preparation (packaging, etc.)
Postage
Shipping (transport via partner carriers)
After-sales service management (returns management, etc.)
Logisticians are experts in this field, offering a trusted solution for efficient order, stock and transport management.
What's more, you'll benefit from an outsourced logistics service while ensuring the satisfaction of your customers, who will generally be able to track their parcels remotely. This is particularly the case with Boost's solution. So you can concentrate fully on your core business.
In short, outsourcing your company's e-commerce logistics is a time-saving operation performed by a qualified service provider in the field.
The specifics of e-commerce logistics
E-commerce logistics has a number of specific features compared with traditional logistics.
The importance of customer satisfaction
Customer satisfaction is at the heart of our concerns. Indeed, the logistics specialist must be able to meet your customers' expectations, whether in terms of shipping speed, packaging, traceability... Customers need to know the status of their orders and how they are being delivered. It's all part of the customer experience. If they're satisfied, they're more likely to order again and have a good image of the brand.
Inventory management
Inventory management is a very important point to consider. It must be managed efficiently and optimally. Stock control must be meticulous to ensure accurate data. This includes stock optimization to avoid the risks associated with out-of-stocks or overstocks.
Order picking
The greater the number of orders, the more complex order preparation can become. However, it's central to business performance. Warehousing and order-picking software can be used to make this step a success. Warehouse organization is also a key factor in optimizing order processing time (traffic flow, storage capacity, etc.).
Returns policy
A flexible returns policy is essential in e-commerce logistics. Since your customers can't see or touch the product, they'll be more inclined to buy your products if you offer a flexible returns policy. If you don't, this could act as a disincentive to their purchase. Mention your returns policy on your website and set up an after-sales service to improve the returns process.
Delivery
Organizing and managing the delivery of goods is essential. You need to ensure the transport and traceability of products by means of a tracking number.
All the above points are essential for good logistics management. What's more, this will have a major impact on customer satisfaction and, consequently, on business performance.
However, it's time-consuming, demands attention and requires skilled employees in the field. That's why it's a good idea to outsource your e-commerce logistics.
The advantages of using logistics service providers
Contacting an e-commerce logistician allows you to concentrate fully on your business and contributes to the development and growth of your company.
Here are its main advantages:
No in-house stock
Contacting a service provider means you don't have to use your own premises to store your products. In fact, the service provider has his own storage space in a warehouse. This means you don't have to manage your stock yourself, and above all, you don't have to store it. Which means you won't have any rental costs or employees.
Peak activity management
Some companies are subject to peak periods of activity. Logisticians put their expertise at your company's service to identify product shortages, and do everything in their power to ensure that peak periods do not have a negative impact on your business. This enables you to avoid supply shortages, for example.
Employee reduction
By outsourcing your logistics services, you can reduce your company's internal costs. After all, logistics management requires qualified employees you can trust. By choosing to outsource, you benefit from the expertise of logisticians and an external storage warehouse. So you need fewer employees. Choosing a logistics partner for your e-commerce business is therefore a cost-effective strategy.
Risk reduction
All in all, using external logistics services enables you to reduce supply chain risks. Your external partner will be qualified to avoid any threats to your business. And this applies both to transport and to the overall cost involved.
Cost reduction
The cost of an employee, the rental or purchase of storage space... All this represents a significant sum that you need to add to your development strategy. By opting to outsource your e-commerce logistics, you can reduce and control your costs. What's more, your logistics provider can benefit from economies of scale when purchasing packaging materials, for example, enabling him to obtain lower prices. What's more, at Boost, we can negotiate prices with your carrier to offer you the lowest prices.
Controlling logistics flows
By outsourcing your logistics, you're guaranteed quality services at lower prices. What's more, you'll be able to concentrate on growing your business. As a result, your flows will be better understood and controlled.
Choose Boost for outsourcing
Boost is an ethical and eco-responsible choice for outsourcing your e-commerce logistics.
Outsourcing to Boost lets you focus on your core business. In fact, Boost takes care of everything from the storage of your goods to their transport and delivery.
When you outsource to Boost, you can be sure of optimal stock management, efficient routing and effective returns management. All this with a logistics provider that puts people and ecology at the center of its attention.