We’ve previously talked about the most common misconceptions about 3PLs. Here, we’ve consolidated all our thoughts and updated them for 2024/2025. While outsourced order fulfillment isn’t for every retailer, the reasons why many retailers think it’s not right for them come from misconceptions rather than facts.
Who are we? Speed Commerce is an end-to-end provider of outsourced customer experience solutions, including TikTok fulfillment for retailers (on Shopify and Bigcommerce & more) as well as manufacturers. We grow our clients’ businesses by providing winning customer experience strategies such as 24/7/365 eCommerce customer service, order fulfillment, and warehousing – get a free quote from a fulfillment expert. Read our annual top-ranked 3PLs in the US list.
Myth 1: Order fulfillment is easy enough for me to handle
Many small businesses entering the ecommerce world believe that as long as they have a good product, everything else will fall into place. The reality? Order fulfillment takes time and expertise. When you’re busy managing marketing, merchandising, hiring, and everything else that comes with running a business, the complexities of packing, shipping, updating stock levels, and tracking orders can quickly get overwhelming—especially during peak seasons. Outsourcing allows you to rely on an experienced team, letting you focus on growing your brand.
Myth 2: Order fulfillment is too complex for my company
Some retailers fear that the process of fulfillment is overly complex and that outsourcing will just add to the confusion. While fulfillment can indeed be intricate, involving inventory management, picking and packing, and logistics, a third-party provider can simplify these processes. An experienced fulfillment partner takes on these complexities, turning them into a streamlined operation that works for you instead of adding more to your plate.
Myth 3: Order fulfillment is only for big companies
There’s a misconception that outsourced fulfillment is only suitable for huge corporations with thousands of orders per day. In fact, fulfillment providers cater to businesses of all sizes. If you have an online store and customers who want your products, you can benefit from outsourcing. Whether you’re shipping 10 or 1,000 orders a day, a fulfillment partner helps you reach customers across the country without the stress of managing the logistics yourself. Smaller companies can benefit from outsourced fulfillment in a big way too. The key to successful outsourcing at any level is to find a fulfillment partner that fits your business’s unique needs, so you’re not paying for more than you need but are still getting the economies of scale that outsourced fulfillment can provide. The cost of investing in building a suitable fulfillment infrastructure—developing facilities, maintaining the warehouse, staffing, technology fees, etc.—is much higher than the fees you’ll pay a third-party partner.
Myth 4: Order fulfillment is only meant for big shippers
Fulfillment services aren’t exclusive to high-volume businesses. In fact, companies with low or medium order volumes usually benefit the most by gaining access to competitive shipping rates and economies of scale that wouldn’t be available on their own. Many ecommerce businesses face seasonal peaks—a fulfillment partner is prepared to handle those sudden volume spikes, meaning you don’t need to worry about hiring and training seasonal staff. And just because you’re outsourcing doesn’t mean you lose control. Focus on finding a partner that will understand your brand and provide custom solutions that fit your business. By staying in constant communication and with regular training along the way, you’ll find that your partner knows your business well and can even help it improve based on their industry expertise.
Myth 5: Order fulfillment is too expensive for me
Another myth is that outsourcing fulfillment is simply too costly for smaller retailers. While it is an investment, it can actually lower your operating costs and help you expand your business without the significant infrastructure costs. Think about it: the cost of warehouse space, staffing, and technology quickly adds up. The right fulfillment partner will scale with you, providing cost-efficient solutions without compromising on service quality. Your customers will never know that you’re outsourcing if your partner seamlessly integrates with your brand, using customized packaging, branded inserts, and a trained support team that represents your voice.
Myth 6: Order fulfillment doesn’t matter as long as my website looks good
Ecommerce is highly visual, and having a beautiful website is important—but it’s only half the battle. To keep customers coming back, fantastic customer service, quick delivery, and unique packaging are what count. If a customer receives an incorrect order, a damaged product, or—worst of all—never receives their order, they won’t return, no matter how good your website looks. Outsourced fulfillment partners help ensure accuracy and a great customer experience from start to finish, keeping customers happy and coming back for more.
Myth 7: Order fulfillment is all about shipping, so I can use a courier service instead
Order fulfillment is more than just getting a package from a warehouse to a customer’s doorstep. It starts from the moment an order is placed, involving order processing, picking and packing, invoicing, and custom packaging. While couriers handle the transportation part, a fulfillment partner handles the entire process, ensuring every aspect—from order accuracy to presentation—meets your standards. A fulfillment partner can provide the end-to-end service needed to create a smooth, branded customer experience.
Myth 8: Order fulfillment is about having a large warehouse
Fulfillment isn’t just about storing products in a large space. Effective warehouse management is a science that involves optimizing space usage, managing inventory efficiently, and ensuring products are ready for shipping when needed. A fulfillment partner stores inventory in a cost-effective and efficient way, tracks stock levels, monitors issues like expiration dates, and manages labor to keep operations running smoothly. This approach beats maintaining your own underutilized warehouse space and ensures that your products are always ready to ship.
Myth 9: Order fulfillment will make me lose control over my business
Outsourcing fulfillment doesn’t mean losing control; it’s a strategic partnership. You may be letting go of one part of your operations, but you still maintain control over your brand’s customer experience. A good fulfillment partner understands your brand values and works with you to deliver a seamless experience to your customers. Through regular communication and clear key performance indicators (KPIs), you’ll have a partner that helps your business grow while staying true to your brand’s identity.
Myth 10: Order fulfillment will take away from giving customers a personalized experience
Personalization is important to many ecommerce brands, whether it’s through engraving, gift-wrapping, or custom product recommendations. With the right partner, outsourcing won’t take away from these experiences—in fact, it can enhance them. Many fulfillment providers offer personalization services, saving you both time and money while ensuring your customers get the unique experience they expect. Choose a partner with capabilities like customized packaging, product personalization, or even loyalty program support, and you’ll continue to deliver memorable, personalized touches that set your brand apart.
Outsourcing can be intimidating for a business owner, but with the right fulfillment provider, your business can eliminate the headaches of managing logistics while building capacity and flexibility. This allows your business to grow while maintaining a high-quality customer experience.
