Ecommerce logistics: 7 tips for success

If you manage an ecommerce site, but several stores, the order radius of your customers can be large, even very large. The location of the warehouses will determine the speed of delivery to your customers, but also, when your stocks are low, the replenishment of one (or more) warehouse(s). If your warehouses are located in Europe and in another country (e.g. Switzerland), your item will be taxed. You must therefore be prepared for​ cross-border logistics and adapt the delivery price if necessary. cross-border logistics and adapt the delivery price if necessary.

Your customer's order probably goes through a CMS. Most of them, WooCommerce, Majento, Shopify, Odoo, etc. can connect to a warehouse management software (WMS). Results: your orders are automated. The number of errors is reduced to a minimum thanks to the scanning of the items during order preparation. Each order is prepared in batches and by customer. Once the order is prepared, the preparers pack it and print the recipient's address before sending it. 

The degree of automation of this process differs depending on the warehouse. However, an organization, almost entirely automated drastically reduces possible errors and considerably increases the speed of order preparation.

None of this is possible without warehouse (or stock) management software. In addition, your software must be properly integrated with the CMS. All your orders must be uploaded and stocks updated automatically on your CMS interface. Normally, your software is linked to the CMS with an API. This program allows the exchange of information and rewriting to manage your stocks, both on your e-commerce site and in the warehouse. 

Thanks to this, your customers know the number of remaining items and when the out-of-stock items will be available again. Namely, stock shortages can be avoided thanks to the software that requests a replenishment at a certain level.

Your stocks must be managed impeccably all year round. By this I mean, if you have data for more than a year,​ knowing your stock rate is essential. These can vary depending on:

Seasonal fluctuations: for example, if you sell sparkling water, spring and summer will probably be an intense period. Conversely, if you sell champagne, the end-of-year holidays and New Year will probably be your peak sales. Most products experience these fluctuations. It's up to you to anticipate them by referring to the previous year.

Your best sellers: similarly, some products sell much more (and more easily) than others. Identify your flagship products (your customers' favorites) and optimize the stocks of these products differently from the others. Observe your ads and compare them to others from the season (or the year before) to get an idea of ​how much stock to plan for.​

Black Friday and Cyber ​Monday: these are among the "holidays" when it's time to plan and anticipate stocks. If you have a section on your ecommerce, analyze your statistics in depth from one year to the next to plan accordingly.​

Selecting delivery options that meet your customers' expectations, whether it's home delivery, a collection point or a store, is essential. Give your customers choices that are useful to them and that make their purchases easier. Collection points are convenient for purchases that require secure collection (to avoid parcel theft). Working with​ reliable carriers that offer services tailored to your specific needs can improve the customer experience and optimize logistics costs.

A clear and flexible return policy is also a key factor in customer loyalty. Making the return process easier for the customer, for example by providing prepaid return labels and simplifying the process, can build trust and encourage repeat purchases. However, I recommend checking whether these returns can be avoided. Is there a size problem, the photo didn’t match the product, the materials are not suitable? 

These are probably adjustments that can be improved on the site: more accurate size guide, more realistic photos, materials fully described, etc. Your customers will be happy with it.

Incorporating sustainable practices into your logistics, such as using reusable packaging or optimizing delivery routes to reduce carbon footprint (and gas costs), can meet consumers’ growing expectations for sustainability and strengthen your brand. If​ your ecommerce business is sustainable, optimize your strategy to match your expectations.