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The B2B and B2C fulfillment may perplex you especially if you are new to both industries. You have probably heard those acronyms before and did not really understand how to distinguish them from each other. In the field of manufacturing, there is a vast difference in philosophy, policies, and operational procedures. Most manufacturers choose one form of these fulfillment firms, while some choose the other. You have to find the right one for your own company.

If you are on a tight budget, then most likely you would go for the b2b type. Here, you just have to set up an account with the supplier, create a catalog, order products in bulk and process the payment. The supplier will then ship the products directly to your customers. All you have to do is to process the payments, keep track of the customer satisfaction reports, and ship the finished goods at your customer’s request. This kind of service does not require you to invest in big machinery or sophisticated tools.

It is important to note that this type of Fulfillment is not shipping. You cannot actually ship anything from your manufactured goods without a wholesaler. If you do so, then you will be breaking the law and can be fined heavily. This is why it is very important for your e-commerce fulfillment company to tell you exactly what methods of delivery are allowed. The only way to be completely sure is to carry out research first, determine the existing market, and only engage in approved methods of delivery.

The other popular method of shipping goods is through free-shipping services. Free shipping allows your customer service center to send your goods directly from the manufacturing facility to your customers. Free shipping centers may not deliver the goods to the customer straight. Sometimes, you will get a tracking number when you pay for the freight services. Other times, the customer service center will deliver the products directly to your doorstep.

Fulfilling orders online is fast and convenient. Before you invest in a B2B fulfillment company, take stock of your needs first. What kinds of orders do you commonly receive? What kind of priority do you give to each category of order? Is it easy for your employees to fill orders online? How many orders do you expect to fulfill in one day?

If you want to reduce the cost of shipping, work with a supplier who offers free shipping. Many fulfillment houses will ship your orders free of charge if your company buys in bulk. This is because these businesses arrange for the shipment of goods in bulk from suppliers at below wholesale rates. If you are able to reduce the costs associated with third-party logistics and manage your inventory efficiently, you will be able to improve profitability.

You can improve profits by working with a B2B fulfillment company that provides on-time delivery. If your customer has an urgent need for an item, you may need to dispatch the order as soon as possible. However, your logistics provider may incur some delays in shipping your order. In such cases, the best thing to do is to contract with a fulfillment that offers on-time delivery.

When you hire a B2B fulfillment provider, you should be aware of its costs and the time required to prepare and dispatch orders. The fulfillment company should also have the appropriate technology to meet your specific needs. Some companies offer customized software solutions to help streamline operations. Although many of today’s online businesses use fulfillment companies, it is advisable for you to also learn about other options available so that you can make the best decision regarding fulfillment.