How to outsource your logistics

How to outsource your logistics

For any e-commerce, logistics and supply chain management are crucial and can either make or break your business. Between product development, marketing, and website management, e-commerce owners already have a lot on their plate without also adding logistics to the mix. The good news is that you can outsource your logistics – here’s how you do it successfully. 

How does outsourced logistics work? 

First of all, let’s start with the basics – what is outsourced logistics? Outsourcing your logistics means you’ll let an external provider, also known as third-party logistics or 3PL, handle your supply chain. This means they will handle the storing, shipping, and delivery of your products to your customers. In conclusion, you don’t need to worry or invest in warehousing, technology, and safety measures. Instead, you can focus your time and money on the other parts of your business. 

Find available options

The first thing you need to do when outsourcing your logistics is to look into what different options you have. All businesses and their needs are different. Therefore, you should select a third-party logistics provider that fits your exact needs. Location, packaging, shipping options, and timing are all things that you should take into consideration.

Prime Penguin only works with carefully selected warehouses, so you can be certain that your products will be handled by skilled warehouse staff. They have the machinery and power to handle your orders quickly and efficiently. As a result, your products will arrive faster to your customers. According to a survey by Bizrate Insights in February 2021, 68% of consumers said fast shipping would lead them to place an online order. 

Test new markets with outsourced logistics 

When using outsourced logistics, it is easier and cheaper to test out new markets. For example, if you would like to test your products in the United States, you can start by storing a smaller batch of products using a local 3PL. This gives you the chance to test out the market before investing further. By using warehouses in the market you want to try, you will shorten the time of delivery which leads to cheaper shipping costs and higher customer satisfaction.  Another important factor about shortening the distance between the warehouse and customers is that you will lower your carbon emissions. According to a study made by Sifted, 67% of the respondents considered eco-friendly practices in their purchase decision and 91% want an “eco-friendly shipping” option at checkout.

Outsource, but remain in control 

Even though you let someone else handle your logistics, it is important to still be in the loop of things. In Prime Penguin’s platform, you’ll have an overview of your orders and when they are being shipped and delivered. Additionally, you will also be able to keep track of your inventory and we will make sure that you never run out of stock. Through data, we can estimate when it is time for a product to be restocked. This way, you’ll never have to lose any sales or customers due to a lack of inventory. 

 The more your e-commerce is growing, the more warehouses you’ll need.  Instead of going back and forth with multiple connections and sources,  you can save a lot of time by having them all gathered in just one platform.  No matter where your market takes you or how fast you grow, our cloud-based interface offers you complete visibility into your supply chain, from start to finish.

How to start outsourcing your logistics

Starting to outsource your logistics is easier than you might think. Simply start by filling out our procurement form.  One of our experts will reach out to you and send quotes and suggestions for different 3PLs. Once you have found the right 3PL, you can get started within minutes. All you have to do is connect your sales channel to our platform.  No IT skills are required, it is super easy! We are already integrated with 30+ e-commerce platforms and we specialize in building customized connections that are streamlined to fit your needs. 

If you have any questions about our services, feel free to contact us directly or schedule a consultation.