You’ve got merchandise to ship to customers, but how do you make sure everything arrives in one piece? And if you’re dealing with bigger items, how do you avoid paying an arm and a leg in shipping costs?
ShipMonk offers 3PL services that are efficient and cost-effective for some retailers. But it may not be the best choice for your business. That all depends on the kinds of products you sell and other factors, such as the number of items you need shipped.
Should you stick with ShipMonk or look into using an alternative fulfillment company? The following guide can help you compare other options and decide what’s best for your business.
What is ShipMonk?
ShipMonk is a third-party logistics (3PL) provider, offering multiple services to ecommerce sellers and other small to midsize businesses. It also offers batch fulfillment programs designed for subscription box services and crowdfunding projects.
ShipMonk’s key services include inventory tracking, shipping management, returns management, order tracking, and warehousing — among others, including:
- Dedicated customer support representatives for every account
- Batch fulfillment at affordable rates
- Free fulfillment software that includes order management and other features
- Advanced warehouse automation
- Eligibility for Amazon Seller-Fulfilled Prime
- Integrations for connecting tools and platforms
Is there a downside to using ShipMonk? Like any product or service, yes, there can be — but it really depends on your fulfillment needs. A few potential challenges or limitations you might face with ShipMonk:
- Extra fees for items that weigh over 5 pounds or those needing special handling
- Limited network for international fulfillment
- No options for hybrid fulfillment
3PL alternatives to ShipMonk worth exploring
If ShipMonk may not be the most suitable 3PL for your business, exploring competitors may be helpful. Use the following list as a jumping-off point for your research so you can decide which 3PL is the right choice to help your business thrive.
Red Stag Fulfillment
Red Stag Fulfillment offers 3PL services designed for special handling — like oversized or bulky items (like sports equipment) or high-value or fragile items that need careful handling.
This special handling comes with affordable pricing, allowing ecommerce businesses to save money and ensure products arrive on time and in good condition. Red Stag’s fulfillment team handles the entire process with expert care, from receiving inventory to shipping items.
Red Stag also offers these standout features:
- Top-tier personalized customer service
- Exceptional accuracy for improved customer satisfaction
- Reliable order fulfillment every step of the way
- Expertise in managing complex logistics
- Service guarantees, including zero shrinkage and two-day receiving
ShipBob
ShipBob is a 3PL company that handles ecommerce fulfillment for small businesses to midsize businesses. It also has a large fulfillment network that spans multiple countries, including the U.S., Europe, the U.K., and Australia.
ShipBob offers premium services that allow businesses to keep inventory in a few or more fulfillment centers for convenient access and faster shipping. Its services also allow ecommerce retailers to expand their customer base with a presence in different sales channels.
ShipBob’s main strengths include:
- Distributed inventory in the U.S. and other countries
- Fast shipping with different shipping carriers for enhanced customer satisfaction
- Easy integration with ecommerce platforms, including Shopify, eBay, and Amazon
ShipHero
ShipHero provides 3PL services for ecommerce businesses with several warehouses located in the U.S. and Canada. Its cloud-based mobile app offers convenient and quick access to client accounts from mobile devices.
ShipHero also integrates easily with Walmart, Amazon, and other ecommerce platforms, and its inventory management system offers efficient and direct ways to track inventory, transfer it, and replenish it as needed.
It’s important to note, though, that ShipHero does have a minimum order volume requirement of 500 orders a month, and doesn’t offer special handling for products that are more complex to ship.
ShipHero’s key features include:
- Robust warehouse management systems
- Seamless ecommerce integrations with platforms and sales channels to streamline fulfillment
- PostHero and ParcelView for tracking shipment progress with greater transparency
- Fast shipping and delivery from the nearest warehouse
Amazon MCF
Amazon Multi-Channel Fulfillment (MCF) offers comprehensive 3PL services for ecommerce businesses. This provides an efficient way to sell on multiple platforms outside of Amazon — while having access to Amazon’s fulfillment services.
Amazon MCF is available for those with independent online stores, retailers using third-party marketplaces, and Amazon sellers with platforms outside of Amazon. After customers place orders on these platforms, Amazon steps in to handle picking, packing, and shipping.
The key features and advantages of Amazon MCF include:
- Access to Amazon’s vast logistics network
- Amazon Prime shipping benefits for fast deliveries and cost savings
- Simplified fulfillment operations for businesses that sell on multiple platforms
- Cost-effective fulfillment for selling internationally, selling seasonally, or selling on multiple channels
How to choose the right ShipMonk alternative for your business
You want to make sure you pick a 3PL company that offers the services you need. Otherwise, you can run into all kinds of problems, like shrinkage and slow shipping — resulting in lower customer satisfaction.
Consider all of the following factors and features in order to make the best decision for your business.
Consider industry experience
Going with any 3PL company means you run the risk of ending up with major issues that affect your business. Items can get damaged or lost due to improper handling, for example.
Choosing a 3PL company with experience in your industry helps avoid these problems. Are you selling fragile merchandise that can break easily without the right handling? Or do you have oversized products that are tough or awkward to ship? What about things that need refrigeration, like food items or certain medications?
No matter what industry you’re in, you need a 3PL company with the right knowledge and expertise. This helps ensure that your products reach your customers right on time — and still in excellent condition.
Think about what services you need
A 3PL company usually handles the fulfillment process from start to finish. But in truth, you may not need all of these services. Some of the main tasks that are part of 3PL services include:
- Warehousing: Receiving and storing your inventory
- Order fulfillment: Order processing, picking items from your inventory, and packing orders
- Shipping: Sending orders out to be delivered to customers
Now, let’s say that you have your own place for storing inventory. If you have a low volume of orders, you may not need a 3PL company’s warehousing service.
You might prefer to process orders in-house rather than outsourcing, or perhaps your business can handle shipping a large volume of orders promptly or with special handling.
Choose a 3PL provider that can customize its services based on the specific needs of your business —now and in the future as your company grows.
Look at guarantees and customer support
Guarantees are just part of ensuring that a 3PL company is responsive to your business’s needs. The guarantees a 3PL company offers vary by company — but they can give you an idea of what a 3PL provider prioritizes in order to help ecommerce businesses.
Let’s say you have trouble with low inventory levels. Items are out of stock while inventory is stuck waiting to be received. That leads to lots of missed orders and customers abandoning their shopping carts to go elsewhere for purchases.
You’ll want a 3PL provider who can guarantee prompt inventory receiving, such as Red Stag’s two-day receiving guarantee.
Or let’s say you’re having a hard time getting orders shipped and delivered on time. That‘s frustrating for both you and your customers. In this case, look for a 3PL that guarantees fast shipping and on-time deliveries, like Red Stag’s guarantee to get orders shipped on time, every time.
Customer support is another factor to consider. You’ll want to choose a 3PL company that provides timely and effective support. Make sure your chosen provider makes it easy to get in touch with questions or concerns, and that the customer support team operates during hours that align with yours.
As an example, Red Stag offers hands-on support for all clients and dedicated account reps for some clients. This makes it easy to reach someone in-house for assistance.
When choosing a company for your fulfillment needs, think about how easy it is to get help if needed. This can save you time — and headaches — if issues come up at any point.
Find out if Red Stag Fulfillment is the right choice for your 3PL needs today
ShipMonk has a lot to offer, but may not be the most suitable 3PL for your business. As you search for an alternative, consider the company’s industry experience, service offerings, and customer support to help you choose a 3PL that aligns with what your business needs — and what your customers appreciate.
At Red Stag, we offer special handling for high-value items and oversized merchandise. Our expertise in managing these kinds of items, combined with our advanced technology and exceptional customer service, might be a great fit for your business.
Wondering if Red Stag can meet and exceed your business’s needs? Reach out to us to get the conversation started.
