Over the past decade, there has been a massive boom in online ordering. This trend has led to the development of efficient warehouse processes to ensure accurate and timely delivery. To ease the workload on the team, many companies have opted for order fulfillment software. This software is designed to streamline and automate the process of receiving, processing, and tracking customer orders, as well as managing and optimizing inventory with minimal human intervention.

Features of order fulfillment software
Online deliveries have become more complicated than ever, which is why businesses are turning to order fulfillment software for smoother results.

• Automated order processing
  Once the customer places their order, the software automatically verifies the inventory to process it. This saves the worker’s time by eliminating the need for manual checks while minimizing the likelihood of errors in the process.
• Streamlined shipping
  The software first checks with different carriers to compare shipping rates. It then generates shipping labels, creates a routing number, and tracks packages. This shipping information is automatically shared with the customer, eliminating the need to handle these tasks manually.
• Insights
  The software also provides insights into order frequency, volumes, shipping times, and inventory levels so companies can plan their next steps accordingly.
• E-commerce integration
  Some software is easy to integrate with other existing CRM and e-commerce programs. Finding one that is compatible with one’s tech stack will allow seamless inventory management.
• Return management
  The shipping and purchase process doesn’t end there. With online shipping, there are many returns. The chosen order fulfillment software must also be equipped to handle return and exchange processes and customer queries to ensure overall customer satisfaction.

Tips to choose the right order fulfillment software
To find the best order fulfillment software for one’s company, one must understand all the pros and cons of the software.

Evaluate the needs
Begin with a short self-evaluation exercise to outline exactly what the company needs. Come up with specific answers to these questions:

• What are the types of products offered? How heavy or light are they?
• Are the products high-value?
• How many different products are in stock?
• Do customers typically place bulk orders?
• Who packs the orders? What equipment do they use?
• Are there multiple types of packaging available to mark distinct categories?
• What is the company’s average monthly order volume?
• Where is the company’s warehouse located? Where do the customers mostly reside?
• Do the customers expect express delivery, or is it okay to take some time?
• Determining the need for the software will help narrow down options in the future.

Consider the cost
The next step is to understand the budget one is working with. Note that this is never a one-time payment solution. Providers may have separate setup and licensing costs, ongoing maintenance and support fees, customization, add-ons, and other costs, so be sure to account for all of these factors. Look for a good software option that offers a balanced mix of functionality and affordability. The average cost of the software could range anywhere from $199 for small-scale businesses to $699 or more for larger organizations. The cost may vary depending on the size of the business, order volume, required features in the software, delivery method used, and number of users.

Determine what orders to manage
As a small business, the company may not be automating every sale. To hit the sweet spot between human involvement and automation, outline what orders will be managed by the software. If any third party is involved in this process, the chosen software should be able to integrate and function effectively in these scenarios.

Review software integration
Many small companies have already adopted small tech stacks to streamline their business. Any new software chosen must be compatible with these to ensure seamless functionality.

Check scalability
Every business has a growth plan. The software chosen must be flexible enough to scale accordingly with increasing order volumes in the near future.

Conduct a trial or a demo
Before selecting a particular software, ask for a product trial or demo and thoroughly check its functions and performance. A hands-on experience may reveal other problems that need to be fixed before the software can be implemented in the company.

Top 5 order fulfillment software
Based on market ratings, some companies are more popular than others when it comes to providing quality software.

ShipStation
The comprehensive set of features offered by ShipStation allows the company to automate order processing, generate shipping labels, and track shipments all under one place. ShipStation is an affordable order fulfillment software for small businesses and can integrate with several platforms. It offers a 30-day free trial period, and has prices starting at as low as $9.99 per month.

Fishbowl Inventory
Manufacturing companies must consider Fishbowl, as it offers robust inventory management and order processing. It integrates rather well with QuickBooks, allowing the company to keep track of accounting and inventory in one system. The pricing and demo for this product are available on request.

ShipMonk
The company offers seamless integration for inventory management, order processing, and logistics with its strategically located fulfillment centers. They provide a free demo, but prices are only available on request.

NetSuite
Enterprises may be interested in something robust to handle complex issues. NetSuite is the answer to all these problems, as it handles integration like no other. The brand offers a free demo for their tool, with purchase prices beginning at $99 per user per month and a monthly licensing fee of about $999.

Bolt
Apart from offering the usual fulfillment features, Bolt provides excellent fraud detection. What truly stands out about this company is its commitment to social good— when returned items cannot be resold, they redirect them to people in need. The company offers a free demo before the sale, and pricing is available upon request.