There are many different order fulfillment solutions available for eCommerce businesses, and it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.
In this article, we’ll compare ShipBob and Amazon FBA, two of the most popular options, to help you make a decision.
Without wasting any time, let’s dive straight in.
ShipBob Review
What is ShipBob?
ShipBob is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider that offers eCommerce order fulfillment services. They have warehouses located across the United States, which allows them to offer 2-day shipping to most parts of the country.
Is ShipBob effective shipping software?
Yes, ShipBob is effective shipping software. In fact, they are one of the most popular 3PL providers in the United States. They offer a wide range of features and services that can benefit any eCommerce business.
Once you connect your ecommerce store to the ShipBob platform, you can import your products and begin to send your inventory to ShipBob.
They will store your products in their many fulfillment centers until someone places an order. Once a customer places an order, they will ship from the nearest fulfillment center.
Even from just one fulfillment center, ShipBob can deliver on two-day shipping.
That sounds like everything you would expect from an order fulfillment solution, right?
ShipBob has a few other features that make them stand out from the competition.
Does ShipBob offer automation tools?
ShipBob enables you to automate and scale the creation of tailored packaging for unforgettable customer experiences.
You can add marketing inserts to any of your orders and use your own custom-branded boxes or mailers.
Is ShipBob useful for inventory management?
Yes, ShipBob’s inventory management features are top-notch.
You can see real-time inventory levels across all of their warehouses and get alerted when stock is running low. This can help you avoid stock-outs and keep your customers happy.
By strategically splitting your inventory across multiple locations, you can reduce the shipping zones and get your products to your customers even faster.
Even if all your inventory is stored at a single ShipBob warehouse, the solution can still confidently meet the two-day delivery target in many cases.
How good is ShipBob’s customer support?
The customer support offered by ShipBob is strong.
They have a team of knowledgeable and friendly merchant care representatives who are always willing to help.
You can contact ShipBob’s merchant care team by phone to discuss any issues or problems you may be having.
They also have an extensive FAQ support section that can be very helpful if you’re trying to troubleshoot an issue on your own.
How does this compare to other solutions?
ShipBob is a great option for ecommerce businesses that are looking for a swift and effective order fulfillment solution.
They offer all of the features and services that you would expect from a well-regarded 3PL provider.
Their inventory management features are top-notch, their customer support is strong, and they have a wide range of features that can benefit both small and large ecommerce business owners.
Is this solution good for small businesses?
Whether you are a Shopify ecommerce website owner or a big brand with multiple online stores, ShipBob can work for you.
Their fulfillment processes are streamlined and efficient, and they offer a wide range of features that can benefit any ecommerce business owner.
If you are looking for an order fulfillment solution that can scale your business, ShipBob is definitely worth considering.
Can ShipBob streamline the shipping process?
ShipBob can certainly streamline your shipping process.
They offer a wide range of features that can automate and optimize your shipping process.
Their inventory management features are particularly useful for streamlining the shipping process, as they can help you avoid stock-outs and keep your customers happy.
Overall, ShipBob is a great solution for ecommerce businesses that are looking for a swift and effective order fulfillment solution.
Distributed inventory can help you meet your customer’s needs faster and enable you to deliver consistent customer experiences, no matter where your customers are located.
Is ShipBob’s pricing competitive?
Yes, ShipBob’s pricing is relatively competitive. The standard fees attached to ShipBob’s services include:
- Receiving your inventory
- Warehousing your products
- Shipping each order
Some customers are particularly impressed with the international shipping fees and the speed at which pricing issues are resolved.
Amazon FBA Review
What is Amazon FBA?
Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) is a program that allows businesses to store their products in Amazon’s fulfillment centers, and Amazon will then pick, pack, and ship those products to the customer on behalf of the business.
It’s a pretty useful program for businesses of all sizes, as it can help them save time and money on shipping and fulfillment.
Businesses that use Amazon FBA can take advantage of Amazon’s massive customer base, as well as Amazon’s world-class logistics network.
Overall, Amazon FBA is a great option for businesses that want to focus on selling their products, and leave the fulfillment and shipping to Amazon.
Is Amazon FBA good for ecommerce businesses?
Yes, Amazon FBA is a great option for ecommerce businesses.
If you’re selling products on Amazon, then using FBA ensures that your products are eligible for Prime shipping, which can help you increase your sales.
Additionally, Amazon FBA can free up a lot of your time, as you won’t have to worry about packing and shipping orders yourself.
Overall, Amazon FBA is a great solution for businesses that want to focus on selling their products, and leave the fulfillment and shipping to Amazon.
Let’s face it, Amazon is the master of scale.
They truly know how to deliver exceptional customer experiences consistently on a global scale.
There’s often a bit of a learning curve when getting started with Amazon FBA, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a great solution for both small ecommerce businesses and larger enterprises.
What are the fulfillment services like?
When you align yourself with Amazon’s immense fulfillment infrastructure, you open your business up to a world of possibilities.
Amazon has fulfillment centers all over the world, so you can reach customers in every corner of the globe.
Amazon’s logistics network is second to none, so you can be confident that your products will be delivered on time and in great condition.
How does order management work?
Order management with Amazon FBA is pretty straightforward.
You just need to send your products to Amazon’s fulfillment centers, and then Amazon will take care of the rest.
When a customer orders one of your products, Amazon will pick, pack, and ship the product to the customer on your behalf.
You can also use Amazon’s platform to track your inventory levels, so you always know what products you have in stock.
What is the minimum inventory for Amazon FBA?
There is no minimum inventory for Amazon FBA.
You can send as little inventory to Amazon’s fulfillment centers as you want.
How do I find my maximum inventory level on Amazon?
To find your maximum inventory level on Amazon, visit your Inventory Dashboard and then navigate to the Inventory Performance tab.
Scroll down to click on your Restock Limit and look for your Utilization Quantity and Restock Limit.
In Amazon Seller Central, this is known as the Maximum Inventory Level.
What are the shipping costs?
The Amazon FBA individual plan costs $0.99 per unit sold, and the professional plan costs $39.99 per month, regardless of how many units you sell.
Amazon FBA fulfillment fees include picking and packing your orders.
These fees depend on the product dimensions and the shipping weight.
Amazon offers several useful charts on their website detailing how the FBA fulfillment fees break down.
How does this shipping solution compare to others?
Amazon FBA is a great shipping solution for businesses of all sizes.
It’s especially beneficial for businesses that want to take advantage of Amazon’s massive customer base and world-class logistics network.
Overall, Amazon FBA is a great option for businesses that want to focus on selling their products, and leave the fulfillment and shipping to Amazon.
Closing Thoughts
When it comes down to consistently delivering incredible customer experiences, Amazon FBA is well-equipped to do just that.
The ecommerce giant has mastered the art of order fulfillment on a global scale.
Sure, ShipBob can’t quite match Amazon’s size and scale – but it’s certainly capable of supporting ambitious ecommerce businesses in their efforts to reach new heights.
At the end of the day, it really just comes down to figuring out which order fulfillment solution is the best fit for your business.
Both Amazon FBA and ShipBob offer great features and benefits.
It’s up to you to decide which one is right for your ecommerce business.
Author: Wail Amrani
Wail is a Shopify Expert & eCommerce Growth Consultant. Former digital marketing manager at Shopify I’m helping brands & retailers build 8-figure eCommerce. I’ve been leading digital growth for both online and retail brands for over 7 years.
