April 28, 2020
How to Manage eCommerce Logistics
eCommerce shows no signs of slowing down, but despite the expectations for eCommerce service and the challenges of meeting them, many eCommerce companies neglect to utilize an effective transportation management system (TMS).
To adequately manage eCommerce logistics, shippers must have a good understanding of the specific challenges pertaining to eCommerce and do what they can to implement a reliable solution.
Pain Points That an eCommerce Company Faces
Many of the challenges that eCommerce companies face are similar to the pain points of traditional logistics. However, one of the biggest challenges that eCommerce companies have to overcome is the need for fast-paced shipping for order fulfillment and delivery. In today’s eCommerce environment, with services such as Amazon Prime that promise next-day or same-day shipping, customers have extraordinarily high expectations when it comes to quick service and shipping.
To help meet or even exceed their customers’ expectations, eCommerce businesses need to make sure that a system is in place to handle continuous orders as opposed to periodic batches.
5 Tips to Help Manage eCommerce Logistics
To meet the needs of consumers and maintain efficiency of operation, eCommerce companies should take these 5 steps.
1. Offer Several Options for Shipping
Today’s eCommerce customers expect to see multiple shipping options beyond standard shipping. While your business may be able to provide customers with next-day delivery and free shipping, offer the option of picking up in-store or delivering items to a third-party destination. People like the ability to fully customize their orders, down to the specific method of delivery.
2. Utilize All Shipping Options
In many cases, working with LTL shipments and traditional packages is sufficient, but as an eCommerce company, you should try to make use of several modes of transportation that can handle any type of order, regardless of its size or other specifications.
3. Use a TMS Designed for eCommerce
While it can be beneficial to have any type of transportation management system (TMS) in place to manage operations, eCommerce has specific requirements to meet growing demands. Shippers may want to incorporate solutions specifically intended for eCommerce, which can help with decision-making and order management while helping reduce overall costs.
4. Make Sure All Supply Chain Elements Are Connected
Organizational silos are simply obsolete when it comes to eCommerce logistics. With ever-changing demand and order fulfillment needs, it’s important for every part of the supply chain to be connected for optimal control. Streamlining your supply chain, including the acquisition of materials from vendors, will improve management and help ensure customer satisfaction.
5. Maximize Transparency of Operations
People want to know where their orders are from the time they order all the way up to the moment they receive them. While shippers may encounter certain issues when shipping products, including inclement weather, they can do what they can to reroute any shipments and let customers know when their orders will arrive.
Dependable eCommerce Logistics Services
If you’re in need of an eCommerce logistics management solution you can trust, Carson has everything you need to optimize your operations in Canada and the U.S.
Our eCommerce services can help reduce retailers’ tax burden while maintaining regulatory compliance with Customs. If you want to give your customers what they want when they expect it, Carson can help you keep your customers happy with our innovative eCommerce logistics management solution.