3 IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN CHOOSING A 3PL FOR YOUR SUBSCRIPTION BOX SERVICE
You developed an awesome subscription box service and secured funding to take your product to market. You've been picking and packing orders from a room in your home for months. But now sales have exploded and you are running out of the space and manpower to take things to the next level. Or perhaps your established business has seen such significant growth that you’ve outgrown your current 3PL provider. If your business falls into either of these scenarios, first, congratulations, you’re doing great! But more importantly, it’s time for you to start looking for a new and better solution for your fulfillment needs.
Not too big, not too small, but just right!
Focus your attention on finding a 3PL provider that is of similar size to your current operation. For example, if you manage a start-up company, it may be advantageous for you to find a smaller 3PL provider that can guarantee a more personal level of service. Keep in mind that when starting out, you will most definitely need a bit of extra attention to feel confident with your new 3PL relationship. If you are established in your industry and have worked with 3PL providers in the past, you may be ready to upgrade to a provider with more capabilities than where you started. Simply stated, many third-party providers may be large enough to handle your business' growing demand, but they may be too large to provide you with one-on-one support. On the other hand, smaller third-party companies may provide excellent personal attention, but lack the capabilities to keep up with the pace of your growth. It's really about finding the right balance.
It’s not just about price.
Although pricing is an important consideration when choosing a third-party fulfillment provider, there are many other details to consider that will impact your business. The partnership you have with your 3PL should benefit your business. Speed of service, quality, reliability, accuracy, technology, flexibility, and experience are equally important to pricing. Subscription box services are booming, with new ones popping up as fast as daffodils in the spring. In response, 3PL companies are springing into existence just as fast, so it is important to do your research on all aspects of the company. Click here to find out what questions you should be asking your potential fulfillment company to see if they are the right fit for you.
First impression is everything.
The growing world of subscription box services has become extremely competitive. It's becoming more difficult to stand out and stay ahead of the competition. That's why it's imperative that you partner with a third-party provider that understands your unique needs and cares about the health of your business and the impression that you want to make on your customers. Because your customers look forward to receiving their subscription box each month, consistency, accuracy, and attention to detail are of paramount importance. Make sure that the 3PL provider you choose has experience with subscription boxes and understands their unique needs and the importance of generating excitement and satisfaction for the customer when the box arrives at their door.
Written by Fusion Fulfillment.
Learn more about us at www.fusionfulfillment.com.
