E-commerce merchants are faced with several challenges, one of which is finding the ideal storage location for their products. As an e-commerce merchant, where you store your products is key to your supply chain, the smooth running of your business, and, most importantly, customer satisfaction.
Usually, e-commerce business owners have a few options when it comes to storing their products. They can either decide to keep them in-house( probably somewhere in their garage or neatly stacked in their living room) or they can choose to store it in a warehouse courtesy of a third-party provider.
While these three options seem ideal for the job, you should understand that storing your products in a warehouse comes with the most benefit. In this article, we will consider the reasons why you should warehouse your ecommerce products.
But first, for those who aren’t aware, what is ecommerce warehousing?
What is Ecommerce warehousing?
Ecommerce warehousing is just as the name implies: the storage of physical goods in a warehouse before they are shipped to their respective buyers or owners. However, unlike in-house storage, ecommerce warehousing involves storage, security, safety, and management of items located in the store. The management part includes tracking the location of items, how long they have been in stock, etc.
Now, let’s look at why you should consider warehousing your ecommerce products instead of storing them in-house.
- Products get to your customers in time.
Time is of the essence when running an ecommerce business, so you want to ensure that everything is done on schedule and products get delivered to customers in time. When it comes to the e-commerce world, a happy customer is one who gets his package in good condition and early.
By storing your products in a warehouse, you are guaranteed speedy delivery and optimum packaging to ensure that products remain in good shape and get sent to customers that way.
- Better organization of products
Imagine having to walk over several cartons (of different sizes) littered on different corners in your living room. Think about the aura such disorganization brings to a place designed to receive guests and offer you premium comfort. Not a good thought, right?
You see, your living room isn’t designed to store products, same with your garage. But, a warehouse is. By storing your products in a warehouse, you’ll improve the accuracy of inventory tracking, prevent lost items, and, most importantly, damage.
As a rule of thumb, when choosing a warehouse, ensure you consider its location. For instance, if your target customers are around Seattle, you can consider a 3pl Seattle Company so that your products are well stored, managed, and delivered to customers without delay.
- Reduce business risk
If goods stored in-house get stolen or damaged due to fire, riot, etc., you, the owner, bear the brunt. However, if anything bad happens to your products while being stored in a warehouse, the warehouse owner’s insurance company will definitely compensate you for the loss.
Warehouse owners often adopt effective and safe-proof measures in storing and protecting individuals’ products. Hence, be rest assured that the chances of theft or fire outbreaks happening are minimal. However, if somehow it does happen, your products are insured.
- Packing and processing
Storing your products in-house makes it hard for you to focus on the core of your business, as you’ll have to be the one to pick, pack, inspect, and arrange for the shipping of products to customers. However, with a good warehouse courtesy of a 3pl company, you have someone to share your workload with. This means that everything regarding logistic management will be handled by the company, giving you enough time to focus on the core of your business.
Conclusion
Many ecommerce merchants embrace in-house storage to save money. Of course, it is good to be economical when it comes to running your business. However, some things require you to dip your hands into your pocket and spend! And storing your products in a warehouse is one of them. You should only embrace in-house storage if you are starting out and have a few products in your inventory. Otherwise, it would be best if you considered warehousing your products for better management and quick delivery.