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4. Fulfilling Digital Products
Businesses selling only digital products (computer documents, software, music, video, etc.) have easiest time with fulfillment. You will need a web site, shopping cart software to take order, and a means of processing payment. The most automated businesses use technology that serves automatic download information to customer upon processing a transaction.
Online businesses might opt to purchase web storage, shopping carts, encryption for secure ordering, and a credit card processing service individually. Alternatively, they might look for a "one stop shop" that handles entire thing for a fee. The former is likely to be lower cost but labor intensive; latter could be more costly but simpler to set up and manage.
To find ecommerce providers, run a Net search for "ecommerce billing fulfillment service".
5. Out-Source to a Fulfillment Firm
If your sales justify it, you could outsource entire process to a fulfillment company. This may or may not be more expensive than doing your own fulfillment. Calculate cost of on-site fulfillment and compare price.
Out-sourcing reduces your control over fulfillment, as well as amount of contact you have with your customers. If customer contact is very important to your operations, or if you need to explain your product to customers before making a sale, outsourcing might not be your best choice.
Before signing a contract, consider these issues: 1.Will company package your merchandise appropriately? Can they handle your perishable products quickly? You want to avoid returns of damaged goods.
2. Does firm process orders quickly enough to accommodate your turn-around time?
3. Is company strategically located? Shipping costs and transit times will be reduced if your fulfillment company is located close to majority of shipping addresses. For example, 74% of U.S. population lives close to or in UPS zone five. A company situated in that region might be a good choice for businesses that sell primarily to US public.
4. Are sales reps assigned to your orders and are you permitted to train them?
5. Can firm provide references from customers running similar operations to yours?
As comedian said, "Delivery is everything."
June Campbell How to Write Business Plans, Business Proposals, JV Contracts,Human Resource Package, More! No-cost ebook "Beginners Guide to Ecommerce". Business Writing by Nightcats Multimedia Productions http://www.nightcats.com