Dropshipping fulfillment services can be a great way to streamline your order processing and reduce the amount of work you have to do yourself. However, if you're not careful, you could end up making some costly mistakes. Read below to learn the six most common mistakes made by beginners when using dropshipping fulfillment services.
1. Not Checking All the Fees
One of the most common mistakes made by beginners when using dropshipping fulfillment services is not checking the fees. Most of these services charge a fee for each order processed, so it's important to make sure you are aware of these fees and that they fit into your budget. Otherwise, you could find yourself being nickeled and dimed out of your profits.
2. Not Checking the Shipping Times
Another common mistake is not checking the shipping times. Most of these services offer different shipping speeds, so it's important to make sure you choose one that meets the expectations of your audience. Today, most people expect one-day or two-day shipping and get frustrated if they have to wait longer.
3. Choosing the Wrong Service
What products do you actually want to sell? There are many different dropshipping fulfillment services available, nearly all of them specialize in different areas of inventory. Don't just commit to the first one. Look at the products and consider how you'd like to expand in the future.
4. Not Tracking Orders
If you're not careful, you could end up losing track of your orders and miss important deadlines. Most dropshipping fulfillment services offer order tracking features, so be sure to make use of them. On the customer service side, the more tracking you provide, the less interaction you need to fulfill with the customers on your own.
5. Not Communicating with the Service Provider
The service provider is likely bigger than you are. That also means they can absorb costs easier than you. If something's lost in the mail, shipped incorrectly, broken on arrival, or there are any other issues, you should address them with the provider rather than refunding the customer on your end.
6. Not Having a Backup Plan
Often, you're selling on a different marketplace than you're dropshipping on. So, you might have a third-party service but be selling on major online sellers. These online sellers don't care if you have a problem with your fulfillment service; they will dock you points for missing a shipment regardless. Whether you need a secondary provider or stockpile product yourself, it's important you have a plan B.
With the right planning, a dropshipping fulfillment service makes it possible to make a lot of money with a fairly low barrier to entry. But if you don't plan it right, it could easily become more expensive and frustrating than it's worth. Take your time and don't scale too quickly. Keep these tips in mind when looking for fulfillment services near you.
Share21 January 2022
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