How To Handle Logistics for Your Shopify Ecommerce Business

If you’re new to running a Shopify store or trying to scale your Shopify business, you are likely brimming with excitement and optimism and juggling all aspects of the business yourself. As orders pick up, the logistics side of the business may start to feel like a heavy burden as you attempt to handle strategic planning, marketing, customer service, orders, and more.

If your Shopify business has grown to the point that you’re feeling burned out from order processing, the reasons for outsourcing logistics to a third-party logistics provider (3PL) may be growing. A good ecommerce 3PL can take a lot of the day-to-day tasks, such as Shopify fulfillment and inventory management, off your plate, helping you streamline operations and grow faster with fewer headaches.

As a 3PL, we often receive inquiries from Shopify sellers who need help with tasks like storing and organizing inventory, picking and packing orders accurately, shipping products in a timely manner, and establishing a smooth returns process. As sales grow, these tasks become harder to manage on your own, especially if you're fulfilling orders from your home or a small warehouse space. Many sellers also struggle with the cost of shipping, tracking packages, and maintaining customer satisfaction when delays or errors happen.

How Do I Handle Logistics for My Shopify Ecommerce Business?

Handling logistics is one of the most important and time-consuming parts of running a Shopify ecommerce business. Whether you're packing orders in your living room or you’re already outgrowing your warehouse operation, we know that getting products into your customers' hands quickly and reliably is key to your success. Here’s a detailed list to help you manage logistics more efficiently as a Shopify seller:

1. Organize Inventory

Well-organized inventory helps Shopify sellers save time, reduce shipping errors, and avoid stockouts. It’s important to keep your products stored in a clean, safe, and organized space by using shelves, bins, and labels. An organized storage system makes picking and packing faster and reduces the risk of damaging products.

2. Track Inventory Levels

By tracking inventory levels, you can prevent overstocking or running out of your best-selling products. Regular inventory checks are also helpful for catching issues like missing or damaged items, so you can fix them before they impact your customers. Use inventory tracking tools or apps that integrate with Shopify to monitor stock in real time.

3. Manage Shipping Expenses

Shopify sellers are responsible for their own shipping, and without careful research, shipping fees can eat into their profit margins. It’s always smart to compare rates and delivery speeds for USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and others. You can also use Shopify Shipping to get discounted rates and print labels directly in your dashboard.

4. Set Clear Shipping and Return Policies

Make sure customers know what to expect by clearly stating shipping times, costs, and return policies. You can do this by keeping policies visible on your product pages and in order confirmation emails. Setting expectations is the best way to reduce disgruntled customers.

5. Automate Order Fulfillment When Possible

It’s a good idea to automate order fulfillment when you can because it saves time and reduces errors. Use Shopify apps or integrations to print labels, update tracking numbers, and send shipping notifications. Consider using barcode scanners or order management tools to reduce errors.

6. Track Shipments and Handle Issues Quickly

Tracking shipments and handling issues quickly is crucial for Shopify sellers because it helps maintain customer trust and resolve problems with orders before they escalate. Sellers should monitor tracking updates and follow up with carriers if there are delays and communicate with customers if any problems arise.

7. Manage Returns Efficiently

When customers order products online, they may need to return them if the items don’t meet their expectations. Sellers can gain trust and repeat customers by making it easy for customers to return items with prepaid labels and a simple return process. Be sure to restock returned items quickly and update inventory in Shopify.

8. Review Logistics Performance

Reviewing your logistics performance can help you identify areas for improvement such as shipping times and order accuracy. Customer feedback can also be an important tool for measuring performance. Keep in mind that as your business grows, your logistics strategy should evolve too. This is when it can be wise to look at outsourcing options.

Consider Working With a 3PL

Taking control of your logistics in these eight ways can save you time, money, and stress, and set your business up for growth. If your Shopify business has hit a certain order volume (typically 500 or more orders per month), it may be time to consider outsourcing logistics. Most 3PLs can integrate directly with your Shopify account, so orders are sent to their warehouse automatically.

Partnering with a 3PL is the best way to improve order accuracy, prevent stockouts or overstock, and help you scale your business without investing in more space or staff. You’ll free up valuable time to focus on expanding your brand and reaching more customers while the 3PL stores and tracks your inventory, packs your orders, and ships them for you.

Grow Your Shopify Business with G10 Fulfillment

At G10 Fulfillment, we handle the logistics so you can stay focused on growing your Shopify business. Instead of worrying about packing boxes or tracking shipments, imagine having a trusted partner who offers D2C ecommerce fulfillment solutions to keep things running smoothly behind the scenes.

Our expert team and powerful technology integrate seamlessly with Shopify through our EDI ecommerce fulfillment services, giving you the tools and support you need to scale with confidence. Ready to stop stressing over logistics and start focusing on your growth? Contact G10 Fulfillment today to get started.