There are many challenges to growing a business-to-consumer (B2C) business, one of the biggest challenges is reliable B2C order Fulfillment. There are many steps involved in creating an effective and smooth order Fulfillment, including receiving and storing inventory, processing, shipping orders, and handling orders.
Order Fulfillment is the fundamental element to your company’s business success therefore, is vital to get your B2C order Fulfillment right to ensure it is quick and reliable to meet the demands of customers.
We have created a B2C Order Fulfillment guide so you can master your B2C order Fulfillment and continue to grow your eCommerce business to be successful.
What is B2C Order Fulfillment?
Fulfilling orders that are dispatched directly to an end consumer rather than a business or another entity is referred to as B2C order Fulfillment. Because product pricing is standardized, orders are smaller, and in most cases, there are no contracts associated with orders, the procedure is considerably easier than completing business-to-business (B2B) sales.
What is the difference between B2C and B2B?
B2B order Fulfillment is when you supply the items to another business to sell instead of selling them directly to the consumer. B2B order Fulfillment has several unique requirements that it distinct from B2C order Fulfillment.
The key differences between B2C order fulfillment and B2B order fulfillment:
1. Size and Quantity of Orders
The key differences between B2B and B2C order Fulfillment are the size and volumes of orders.
B2C orders are generally smaller than B2B orders, but the order volume would be larger. As B2C orders often contain fewer products, it is packed in a box or poly mailer, and are delivered to the consumer directly.
B2B clients, on the other hand, will normally order every few months, in considerably bigger quantities. B2B orders are often bigger, include bulk purchases, and would need freight transportation.
2. Different Regulations and Rules
When it comes to B2C order Fulfillment, there are usually fewer restrictions than B2B order Fulfillment. B2B order Fulfillment would need to employ barcodes, packages, and invoices to comply with electronic data interchanges (EDI). Whereas smaller businesses are less likely to use EDI.
There can also be different shipping rules for international shipping. Whatever type of order you have, there are restrictions that apply to exporting hazardous products, and the requirements vary by country. It’s always a good idea to double-check what your products are made of, where you may legally send them, and what limits your carrier partners have for delivering specific items, since each has its own set of regulations.
International B2B shipments are typically slower than international B2C shipments. Customers expect real-time order tracking; therefore, you’ll want to incorporate B2C tracking. Finally, your online business should have a clear and simple shipping and returns policy.
3. Customer Relationships
Customer relationships between B2B and B2C are completely different. Customers within B2B have contracts with retailers whereas, B2C customers can purchase from any brand at any time, therefore, do not require a contract.
B2B orders are usually repeated purchases made in bulk and bought less frequently, based on a signed contract. It’s critical to focus on relationship-building when marketing to B2B buyers and create technologies and processes that make placing a B2B order simple.
Factors to Consider when Choosing a B2C Order Fulfillment Partner:
There are the four crucial aspects to consider when selecting a B2C order Fulfillment centre.
1. Integration to Chosen Shopping Platform
B2C order Fulfillment relies heavily on technology. The technology of a third-party logistics provider should integrate with your online platform. Integrating with your chosen platform will allow orders to be automatically sent to the Fulfillment partner software which will select, pack, and ship them as soon as possible.
If you sell on many platforms, make sure the Fulfillment provider’s technology is compatible with all of them. Data and analytics should be provided by the 3PL’s software to assist you to gain a comprehensive picture of your orders, shipments, inventories, and more.
2. Order Accuracy
Order accuracy is a crucial measure to monitor since it has a significant influence on customer satisfaction. It refers to the proportion of all orders that are completed and delivered on time in full.
Delivering the incorrect order has a costly and time-consuming impact as you will have to invest more time and resources to correct it. Customers receiving the incorrect order will have a negative impact on the eCommerce business as it would result in negative reviews and customer loyalty will increase. Working with a 2PL like Meteor Space will resolve this for your business and help exceed your customer expectations.
It is important to inquire about the average order accuracy rate of possible B2C order Fulfillment suppliers. A strong order accuracy rate should be greater than 98%. Research into how operation teams enhance their internal procedures so that their network maintains a high accuracy rate.
3. Fast and Reliable Shipping
One of the most crucial aspects of B2C order Fulfillment is developing a delivery strategy.
3PL order Fulfillment centres divide inventory amongst distribution hubs based on the location of your consumers for quick and inexpensive shipment. Working with a variety of shipping couriers, enhances shipment dependability.
Your eCommerce business will have additional possibilities to enhance client reach and create a great experience by expanding your carrier network with a B2C order Fulfillment partner.
4. Customer Service
Customer service is a crucial element of B2C order Fulfillment to ensure customers are satisfied and to retain customers. Providing strong customer service will increase customer loyalty and boost positive word-of-mouth about your business.
Different B2C Fulfillment companies provide varying degrees of customer service, it’s crucial to inquire about their customer service and ask if they can give testimonials regarding customer care and how fast issues are addressed.
At Meteor Space, we provide strong customer services. We maintain best business practices to exceed your customer expectations. Our services provides regular communication, regular updates and live tracking!
Why Choose Meteor Space for B2C Order Fulfillment?
Outsourcing a 3PL order Fulfillment partner like Meteor Space is the key for fast-growing companies.
B2C businesses require the necessary technology, inventory management software, distribution infrastructure, and skills to run a successful eCommerce supply chain and match customer expectations for rapid and economical shipping.
Meteor Space provides a complete Fulfillment system, from warehousing to real-time inventory tracking, integration with our WMS (Canary 7), order Fulfillment, and automated shipping to perfect your B2C order Fulfillment!
For more information on how Meteor Space can help with your B2C order Fulfillment, contact us today!
