There are no two ways about it, e-commerce is big business. The days of the traditional high street retailer dominating proceedings are long gone and it is imperative that companies not only embrace the digital revolution, but also make it their primary focus. With the online market looking likely to grow by 56% in the period from 2015 to 2020, the importance of e-commerce is clear for all to see. Long standing companies who do the bulk of their trading on the shop floor simply cannot compete with the online retailer who is able to provider lower prices and an extremely quick turnaround. As we have seen over recent years, businesses who have been unable to diversify, have quickly felt the effects of the move towards an e-commerce dominated marketplace. Even brands with decades of exposure and loyalty have been declared bankrupt, and are no longer with us.
It is of vital importance that e-commerce best practices are adhered to at all times, and one of the main areas that requires attention are shipping practices. Cooperation between the various supply chains is key to making any fledgling business a success, and it’s well worth taking note of the big players in the marketplace such as Amazon and eBay for examples of cost effective methods of transportation. Potential pitfalls such as late deliveries and packages going missing need to be minimised, something which can be achieved when best practices are followed. Truck driver shortages have caused issues in the use in recent times. This illustrates exactly why it is key to have a robust and diverse plan in place to cover each and every eventuality.
Businesses are well advised to focus on each part of the supply chain individually if their efforts are to be seen to best effect. Ensuring delivery trucks are loaded to capacity and that drivers are disciplined when it comes to routes, breaks and timescales. These steps will all help to ensure that deliveries are completed effectively and consumers get their orders on time. A variety of carriers should also be considered, taking into account local, regional and also national. Costs need to be compared thoroughly to ensure profit margins are not being compromised. Once a decision is made on a carrier, negotiate quotes and any savings and be put back into the business to improve the shipping options even further and allow for some contingency plans, something which is sure to be required from time to time.
Another area that requires serious consideration when it comes to any e-commerce business is storage and warehousing. Even if you’re a small startup and are not yet at the stage of needing storage, the time will come when you can no longer operate from the spare room. Finding a storage facility in the perfect location can be a challenge, but is all part and parcel of the world of e-commerce. If all your products are stored under one roof, management of product placement is key. Clearly, some items can’t be stored together and the ease of finding items should also be high on the list of priorities. Warehousing needs a structure and locations should be clearly marked and mapped out so products are easy for the order pickers, or yourself, to locate. This is particularly crucial during busy trading periods.
Staying within the parameters of good practice where the logistics of e-commerce are concerned will give your business the best chance of being profitable. Consumers want reliability and consistency where deliveries are concerned, good practice will achieve just that. Bedstar are an example of a company that conducts online retail in a very professional and effective manner. Clearly, one of the key criteria when it comes to selling online is being able to relay exactly what it is you are able to offer any prospective customer. The Bedstar website achieves exactly that, with all the various products set out in such a way that customers are able to easily find what they desire and by meeting the rapidly growing demand for next day delivery in the furniture world. Information is provided clearly on Bedstar’s website, with a variety of bed options on offer including ottoman, divan and a variety of kids beds. When it comes to next day delivery service, Bedstar have got you covered. Customers can order their favourite beds prior to 12 noon and can choose a delivery date as soon as tomorrow. There is a huge selection in terms of comfort, with soft, medium and firm mattresses available in a variety of sizes.
Comments are closed.