PrestaShop stands out in the ecosystem of eCommerce platforms because its code is open source, like WordPress. That gives users and developers the freedom to build creative tools and shopping sites. But all that creativity and freedom doesn’t mean you have to build integrations from scratch. For order fulfillment, the best integration for PrestaShop may be a plug-and-play middleware option.
PrestaShop software development
With PrestaShop, you can create an online store that expresses the unique qualities of your product line and gives consumers an exciting shopping experience. However, you should prepare to take on some PrestaShop software development to get the most out of the platform.
PrestaShop is a terrific eCommerce solution for entrepreneurs who are comfortable doing some coding and businesses with dedicated IT staff to build a shop using open-source software. You don’t have to do it all yourself: the PrestaShop Marketplace offers the chance to purchase themes, add-ons, modules, and even technical support.
The software to build a PrestaShop store is free, so your only ongoing expense will be fees related to hosting and encryption. You might budget for PrestaShop addons and modules, but those are usually one-time expenses.
A platform like Shopify might be better if you want a faster setup without digging into the HTML or CSS.
Best integration options for PrestaShop fulfillment
Integration with your 3PL is essential for seamless eCommerce fulfillment no matter what eCommerce platform you use. The integration delivers sales and inventory data from and to your fulfillment provider, avoiding potential errors and delays from manually transmitting orders.
For a PrestaShop store, there are three excellent fulfillment integration options.
Middleware
Middleware is software that connects your PrestaShop store with your fulfillment warehouse. At Red Stag Fulfillment, we use DropStream, which has a prebuilt integration for PrestaShop. You don’t need any PrestaShop modules or addons to use this integration method.
Provide connection information to your 3PL integration team to link your PrestaShop store through middleware. At Red Stag Fulfillment, we have a dedicated onboarding team that can help you manage this process quickly and efficiently. After our integrations specialist has the information to connect your PrestaShop store, we can usually have a middleware integration up and running in a day or two.
Middleware has little or no setup cost, but you’ll pay a monthly fee for the SaaS.
API
If you can code a custom PrestaShop store, you may want to customize your fulfillment integration as well. Coding an API requires more time and upfront expense than middleware, but it allows you greater flexibility to create a connection that serves the unique needs of your business.
With an API, you won’t incur monthly software charges so that it may be cheaper in the long run as the setup cost amortizes. Many companies start with middleware for fast onboarding and build an API later.
PrestaShop Modules and Addons
You can also buy a PrestaShop module for fulfillment integration, but this is limited by what’s available in the marketplace. If you’re using a common fulfillment solution, such as Fulfillment by Amazon, you might be able to find a pre-built API. But, there are no guarantees or controls for pricing.
Advantages of fulfillment integration for PrestaShop
Robust integration with a superior third-party logistics provider has several benefits that will help you grow your business. Here are just a few.
Fast order fulfillment
The faster you transmit orders to your 3PL, the quicker they can get picked, packed, and shipped to your customers. At Red Stag Fulfillment, our integrations help us offer same-day fulfillment. Same-day fulfillment gets all orders received by a designated cutoff time out the door on the day the customer places them. Saving days in the order handling process is a terrific way to shorten delivery times without paying for expedited shipping.
Seamless inventory management
Successful inventory management depends on good data, and a strong integration ensures you have the latest inventory data from your warehouses when needed. An API can give you real-time updates, while middleware may have scheduled inventory data dumps at regular intervals.
Of course, even the best integration for PrestaShop can’t ensure accurate inventory counts — that depends on your 3PL. At Red Stag Fulfillment, we had 99.991% inventory accuracy in 2021, so our clients always know what they have in stock.
Accurate pick and pack services
Connecting your fulfillment services directly with your PrestaShop store is the best way you can support accurate order fulfillment. You’ve done your part by giving your 3PL the data it needs to produce correct pick lists and fill your orders on time and in full.
At Red Stag Fulfillment, we spend time upfront to get each integration working smoothly because we know that pick and pack fulfillment depends on fast, reliable order data. And we have systems in our warehouses to check and cross-check every order before it ships, so we have one of the industry’s lowest error rates.
How Red Stag Fulfillment drives eCommerce success for PrestaShop store owners
The best integration for PrestaShop fulfillment is one that connects your online store to a fulfillment company that gets your business, provides top-notch service, and cares about doing fulfillment right. Here are some of the policies that make Red Stag Fulfillment clients so loyal.
Fulfillment guarantees
We back up our stellar fulfillment services with fulfillment guarantees:
- If we make a mistake on an order, we fix the problem and pay you $50.
- If an order ships later than specified in your service level agreement, we pay you $50.
- For receiving, we guarantee that all inbound shipments will go from dock to stock in two working days, or we will pay you $50.
Zero shrinkage
Inventory shrinkage throws off your stock counts and hurts your profitability. So Red Stag Fulfillment has a zero-shrinkage policy. First, we treat our clients’ merchandise with such care that we seldom lose an item. But on those rare occasions, we pay the replacement cost for the lost or damaged product.
Flexible carrier selection
The best delivery service for one customer might not work well for another. Red Stag Fulfillment’s flexible carrier selection lets you optimize your order delivery by choosing the carrier to fit each order. That can shorten delivery times and reduce shipping costs.
Customer satisfaction
Your customers won’t appreciate the high level of service that Red Stag Fulfillment provides, but they will reward you with repeat purchases, recommendations, and 5-star reviews. Fulfillment is the foundation of eCommerce customer satisfaction, so choosing the right 3PL for your PrestaShop store is critical.
Finding the best integration for PrestaShop fulfillment
Accuracy and speed are vital in a PrestaShop fulfillment partner. But you also need a 3PL that fits your business well. Choose one with expertise in packing and shipping products like yours. Make sure the services include additional options you need, such as kitting. And look for warehouse locations that will support fast national fulfillment.
At Red Stag Fulfillment, we’re always happy to partner with successful entrepreneurs who know the value of outstanding 3PL services. If we check all your boxes, let’s talk about how we can help you grow and scale your business.
More about Red Stag Fulfillment integrations:
- How Does Red Stag Fulfillment Support ECommerce Integrations?
- Your Complete Guide to ECommerce Integration
- How to Enable Multiple Carriers with Red Stag Fulfillment