For busy businesses that want to support growth, choosing outsourced storage and outsourced fulfilment can provide the agility you need to grow (and take away the logistics headache at the same time).

Using third-party services comes with lots of benefits to your business, it can reduce overheads, improve operations and help you scale efficiently. 
 
In today’s blog, we’ll be discussing how the combination of these services is a secret weapon for e-Commerce companies and businesses of all sizes that deliver goods to customers. Looking to boost customer experience and up your fulfilment? Read on.

What are outsourced storage and outsourced fulfilment services?

With Outsourced storage (also known as warehousing services), businesses use a third-party warehouse to hold and store products. Opting for this solution removes the burden of rent or for business owners to have to manage their own warehouse space (which comes with hiring employees). 

If you’re looking to scale up or down depending on seasonal demand, outsourced storage helps you do this without incurring unnecessary costs. 

Next, we have outsourced fulfilment services for e-commerce. This service manages everything from order picking, to packing and shipping – taking the stress out of the process. No more handling every order in-house, you’ll have experts delivering fast and accurate fulfilment for you. When you choose both outsourced storage and outsourced fulfilment, you’ll get a simple, efficient supply chain that reduces errors, keeps costs down but above all else – helps you meet customer expectations. Let’s dive into more of the benefits of these services. 

The benefits of cost-effective outsourced storage solutions 

You might be thinking ‘I can do this myself!’ but it’s about more than just picking and packing. Outsourced storage and fulfilment solutions are cost-effective, providing a range of advantages: 

  • Reduced overheads: no need to invest in warehouse space, staff or equipment. 
  • Scalable warehousing solutions: pay only for the space you use (great for small businesses that get seasonal peaks) 

Take a small online retailer who wants to store extra products during the holiday season (without committing to a permanent warehouse lease). Warehouse and storage services offer great flexibility.  

Why businesses choose outsourced fulfilment services for e-Commerce 

By partnering with outsourced fulfilment services, such as with our experts at Express & Global, companies can expect: 

  • Increased speed and accuracy with experienced teams reduce picking and packing errors. 
  • Increased customer satisfaction with fast, reliable shipping keeps your customers happy – and this encourages repeat purchases. 

Outsourcing fulfilment does more than simply fulfil orders, it helps your company scale quickly and focus on other important business goals, such as marketing, product development and customer service – rather than day-to-day order logistics. 

Why you should choose third-party logistics outsourced fulfilment 

For fast-growing businesses or those looking to scale, working with a third-party logistics outsourced fulfilment provider has lots of benefits. Our team will: 

  • Handle large volumes during sales spikes. 
  • Reduce operational bottlenecks with integrated systems. 
  • Use advanced technology that connects directly with e-commerce platforms. 

Here’s a scenario: a mid-sized retailer is preparing for a new product launch, and they want to make sure orders are processed correctly and on schedule, without hiring extra team members. A third-party logistics outsourced fulfilment provider saves time but the extra value is the peace of mind of handing over the reins to a specialist team. 

Get scalable warehousing for small businesses 

Small businesses are often operating out of small spaces or sites, and this creates unique challenges: limited storage space and capital. Scalable warehousing for small businesses is a great solution, and here’s why: 

  • Flexible storage that grows as your business expands. 
  • Lower upfront costs than owning a warehouse. 
  • Support during high-demand and peak periods. 

Having the warehouse space to house extra stock during busy periods, such as Christmas and holiday seasons, allows small businesses to compete with larger companies – all whilst saving some pennies along the way.  

How outsourced storage and fulfilment integration improves efficiency 

Outsourced storage and fulfilment integration is a powerful combo. It means orders are picked and shipped from a centralised warehouse, inventory visibility improves across all sales channels, and companies have the room to scale quickly without operational delays. 

The more services you outsource to expert third parties means there’s less room for human error, making sure every one of your customers receives the correct order on time as promised (even in busy windows). If you run an e-commerce company, you’re looking at better reviews, fewer returns, and stronger brand loyalty (which turns into a long-term moneymaker). 

What to consider when choosing an outsourced fulfilment provider 

When you’re shopping for a third-party storage or fulfilment partner it’s really important to consider your unique requirements and how they can support you. Here’s some key points: 

Technology integration 
Make sure their systems work with your e-commerce platform (our platform is simple and easy to use!) 

Pricing model for outsourced storage 
Look for flexible pay-as-you-go options. 

Network coverage for outsourced delivery 
Want to send internationally? Choose a provider with national AND global reach, allowing for faster delivery. 

Service reliability of third-party warehouses 
Check out customer reviews and ask about customer support availability.  

Common challenges without outsourced storage and fulfilment 

Some companies choose to manage storage and fulfilment in-house, but this route creates a number of challenges. First, there’s a large price tag for warehousing, staff, and equipment. Then, there’s the inflexibility during sales spikes. Plus, you risk slower shipping and order errors, which ultimately cause friction with the customer. 

Chat to our team about outsourced delivery services that save money and focus on growth instead of logistics.

Get started with outsourced storage and fulfilment

Ok, so you’ve weighed up the pros and cons and decided that cost savings, efficiency, and better customer satisfaction are your goals. Great – the next step is choosing a partner that best fits your business’s storage and fulfilment needs, whether it’s pick and pack or international overseas freight delivery. 

Here at Express & Global, we’ve been supporting businesses since 2002, and our network of global partners and ports means you’ll be delivering packages to your customers, just as you promised, and without the stress. 

Get started with scalable warehousing for your SME or e-commerce business and stay competitive against your competition. Get in touch to let us do the heavy lifting.