Growing Your Small Business? 10 Signs It’s Time to Outsource Your Fulfilment



December 2023 - Fulfilment



Managing a Growing Small Business

As your small business grows, it’s crucial that your processes develop too. If you’re currently wondering how on earth your brand is going to cater to a sudden surge in popularity as we step into 2024, we can help.

By outsourcing your fulfilment to a trusted service provider, you can reallocate valuable time and resources to other facets of your business. This strategic decision not only grants you the scalability required for the expansion of your brand, but also fosters an environment for continuous growth.

What is an ECommerce Fulfilment Company?

An eCommerce fulfilment provider plays a pivotal role in streamlining the logistics and operational processes needed to succeed in the realm of online retail.

From providing warehouse space and picking and packing products to shipping orders and managing customer queries, reliable fulfilment companies will offer complete solutions.

Entrusting these responsibilities to a reputable service provider ensures a seamless end-to-end process. It also allows you to focus your attention elsewhere, whether it be launching new products or perfecting your marketing strategy.

Growing a Successful Small Business | 10 Signs it’s Time to Outsource Your Fulfilment

1. You’re Experiencing a Surge in Sales

If your business is currently experiencing a surge in sales, navigating the challenges posed by an influx in orders can be daunting when handled internally.

Outsourcing your order fulfilment offers the flexibility required to efficiently manage heightened demand. With the ability to scale warehouse space and manpower in accordance with seasonal fluctuations, this approach ensures a seamless response to the needs of your growing small business.

2. Your Customers Are Abandoning Their Carts at the Last Minute

High shipping costs and slow delivery times are two of the most common reasons why shoppers abandon their virtual baskets at the very last minute.

By outsourcing your fulfilment, you can significantly reduce delivery times, enabling you to offer lower shipping costs. This not only enhances the likelihood of customers completing their purchases, but also increases the chances of them returning and leaving a positive review.

3. Fulfilment is Taking Up Too Much Time and Resources

If processing orders is beginning to take too much time and resources away from your core business activities, outsourcing could be a viable option to alleviate this burden.

4. You’re Running Out of Space

Whether you’re operating from your home, office or rented warehouse space, if you’re running out of room for a growing amount of inventory, now is the time to outsource your fulfilment.

Experienced fulfilment centres can provide additional storage space to accommodate seasonal fluctuations, so you’ll never have to work around a mound of cardboard boxes again!

5. You’re Receiving Poor Customer Feedback

Receiving negative reviews can undoubtedly be disheartening, particularly for small businesses. If you’re getting poor negative reviews due to missing delivery deadlines or incorrect orders, it may be time to consider an alternative approach.

Negative feedback has the potential to impact not just your organic search rankings, but it can also jeopardise your eligibility for various online advertising marketplaces. Opting for professional fulfilment provides the assurance that your customers’ orders are in the hands of an experienced team, dedicated to ensuring the efficient and timely delivery of parcels.

6. Your Technology is Outdated

If your current technology infrastructure for order processing, inventory management and shipping is outdated, investing in professional fulfilment services is a must.

With access to the latest cutting-edge technologies, fulfilment providers can assist your business in improving efficiency and professionalism.

7. You’re Looking to Expand

If your small business is ready to expand into new markets, your fulfilment processes need to evolve too. Outsourcing can provide the infrastructure and expertise required to reach new customers in the most cost-effective and efficient manner.

8. You Don’t Know Much About the Fulfilment Process

Growing a small business can be stressful, and it’s unrealistic to assume you’ll be an expert in everything. If you lack the knowledge required to effectively manage and process your own orders, outsourcing is the ideal option for you.

9. You’re Spending a Lot on Shipping and Packing Materials

Making a profit is crucial. Fulfilment providers often have negotiated rates with shipping carriers due to their high shipping volume, resulting in lower shipping costs compared to what an individual business may obtain.

Many fulfilment centres also purchase packing materials in bulk, securing discounts that individual businesses may not have access to.

10. Outsourcing Your Fulfilment is a More Cost-Effective Option

Could investing in professional fulfilment actually save you money?

Conduct a thorough analysis to determine whether outsourcing your fulfilment is a more cost-effective option in the long-run. Consider factors such as labour costs, material and storage expenses and technology investments. You might be surprised by your findings…

Grow Your Small Business With JEM Marketing & Fulfilment Services Ltd.

At JEM, we’re pleased to offer industry-leading eCommerce fulfilment services.

Recognising the challenges that small businesses face in matching the efficiency of established brands, we take pride in delivering cost-effective solutions that don’t compromise on quality.

Want to find out more about how we can help you grow your small business? Get in touch. Please give us a call on 01483 204479 and speak to one of our helpful advisors today.


If you've any questions about this article, or just want to get in touch, simply fill out the contact form below.








    Alternatively, you can call us on 01483 204479